TWENTY-NINE minors in Nigeria are at risk of facing the death penalty after being arraigned on Friday for their involvement in protests against the country’s escalating cost-of-living crisis. The group, aged between 14 and 17, appeared in court among 76 total protesters charged with offences including treason, public disturbance, property destruction, and mutiny. The severity of the charges has stirred public outcry, with four of the children collapsing in court due to exhaustion before entering a plea.
Cost-of-living crisis ignites public frustration
Nigeria has been gripped by waves of protest over rising living costs, with citizens expressing frustration over limited job opportunities and inflation that has hit a 28-year high. In August, a similar demonstration resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals, with hundreds arrested. The economic crisis has left a large segment of Nigeria’s 210 million people struggling with food insecurity, and recent reports from the United Nations label the country a ‘hotspot of very high concern’ for acute food shortages.
Despite being Africa’s top crude oil producer, chronic corruption and mismanagement have left Nigeria’s vast wealth unequally distributed, exacerbating poverty and widening the gap between the public and a privileged political elite. The country’s government officials are among the best-paid on the continent, while health workers and educators often go on strike, demanding fair wages and working conditions.
Outrage over legal proceedings involving minors
Akintayo Balogun, a private lawyer, pointed out that Nigeria’s Child Rights Act prohibits criminal proceedings and death sentences for minors. ‘Bringing children before a federal court on such charges is legally and ethically indefensible unless proven that they are all above 19,’ he told The Associated Press (AP). Legal experts are questioning the move, arguing that the charges contradict the Act, which emphasises the state’s duty to protect and educate its youth rather than prosecute them.
Marshal Abubakar, representing some of the detained minors, stated that the court set bail at 10 million naira (about $5,900) per defendant with strict conditions that have not yet been met. He condemned the prolonged detention of the children, stating, ‘These children have been held for 90 days without adequate food or care. A nation that should be nurturing its youth is instead punishing them.’
Civil society voices condemn government actions
Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of the Nigerian civil society organisation Enough is Enough, criticised the judiciary’s approach to handling the case. ‘The Chief Justice of Nigeria should be ashamed—she is both a woman and a mother,’ Adamolekun remarked, calling on authorities to release the minors and focus on addressing the root causes of the protest.
The charges against the children have sparked outrage among civil society groups, who argue that prosecuting minors for peaceful protests is unjustifiable. Many advocates contend that the government should prioritise solutions to the economic crisis rather than harsh reprisals against young protesters.
The bigger picture: Nigeria’s growing economic hardship
Nigeria’s economic turmoil has led to one of the world’s highest levels of food insecurity. As the naira hits record lows against the dollar, inflation continues to erode purchasing power, leaving many households unable to afford basic goods. The worsening economic crisis has amplified demands for accountability from a government widely perceived as out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Nigerians.
With 210 million people, Nigeria’s leadership faces mounting pressure to address these deep-seated issues. The prosecution of minors involved in protests over living conditions has shone a spotlight on the state’s response to dissent and further highlighted the desperation many Nigerians feel. For now, the legal battle continues, with the children’s fate resting in the hands of the courts, a situation that has both human rights advocates and citizens alike calling for justice and reform.
Credit: The Associated Press
