For the families who lost loved ones, it was far from a merry Christmas. My deepest sympathies and condolences go out to them. Tragically, at least 67 lives were lost, including women and children, in three separate giveaway events across Nigeria.
In Ibadan, 35 people, primarily children, died during a stampede a week before Christmas. On the following Saturday, another 22 lives were lost in Okija, Anambra State, at a giveaway event hosted by businessman and philanthropist Dr. Ernest Azudialu Obiejesi. Meanwhile, in Abuja, 10 more people died at a similar event organized by a local Catholic parish.
Authorities have been swift to place blame, accusing event organizers of failing to implement effective crowd-control measures. In Ibadan, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, a popular broadcaster, and Queen Naomi, former wife of the Ooni of Ife, are reportedly detained. However, it remains unclear if similar actions have been taken against organizers in Anambra and Abuja.
The Roots of the Tragedy: Poverty and Policy Failures
Beyond the surface-level disorder at such events lies a deeper issue—widespread, systemic poverty. Families across Nigeria are grappling with the country’s most severe cost-of-living crisis in decades. Between 2015 and 2023, the economy was crippled under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Under Buhari’s leadership, Nigeria plunged back into a debt crisis previously resolved during the Obasanjo administration. Insecurity exacerbated food shortages as marauding herdsmen displaced farmers, driving up prices. A 50-kg bag of rice, which cost less than ₦8,000 in 2015, soared to nearly ₦50,000 by May 2023.
The situation worsened when President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidies, triggering a cascade of economic repercussions. Transportation costs spiked, and food prices skyrocketed. As of now, a 50-kg bag of rice costs between ₦103,000 and ₦108,000, making it unaffordable for many in a country with a ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Leadership Response: Misplaced Blame
During a recent media chat, President Tinubu described the stampedes as a “grave error” by organizers, emphasizing the need for discipline and better organization. He compared the tragic incidents to his 25 years of successfully hosting giveaways in Bourdillon, Lagos. However, his remarks failed to acknowledge the role of his administration’s policies in deepening poverty.
Bourdillon, located in the exclusive Ikoyi area, is inaccessible to the average Nigerian. The president’s giveaways there benefit from controlled conditions, unlike public events in areas like Agege or Alimosho, where poverty-stricken masses would overwhelm such efforts.
A Call for Accountability and Action
The deaths during these stampedes are a tragic reflection of the poverty and desperation in Nigeria. The government must take responsibility for its role in fostering these conditions. Policies that have driven inflation and economic hardship need urgent reconsideration.
President Tinubu and his administration must redouble efforts to revive the economy and bring relief to Nigerians. Until poverty is meaningfully addressed, the tragic cycle of desperation will persist.
