The federal government has called for an emergency meeting over the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.

This comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to halt the protest, citing the need for more time to execute people-oriented programs.

According to a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, Richard Pheelangwah, the meeting will take place at 10 am on Wednesday at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room.

Nigerians are taking to the streets to voice their frustration over the country’s deepening economic crisis, marked by soaring inflation rates of 34.19% for core inflation and 40.87% for food inflation.

Although the government recently approved a new minimum wage of N70,000, many citizens feel it is insufficient to address the widespread hardship and are calling for more comprehensive solutions.

The planned protest draws inspiration from a similar movement in Kenya, where demonstrators successfully pressured their government to revisit contentious policies.