“Schools are still open while students are being kidnapped, what’s happening in this country ?”- Falz joins his father Femi Falana SAN to protest in Lagos over rising insecurity in Nigeria
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician and activist Folarin Falana (Falz), joined hundreds of citizens on Friday, June 12, 2026, for nationwide protests to mark Democracy Day. The demonstrations, organized by a broad coalition of civil society organizations, labour unions, and youth groups, were staged to demand urgent government action against the country’s worsening insecurity, rampant kidnapping, and severe economic hardship.
In Lagos, protesters gathered under the Ikeja Bridge to express their dissatisfaction with the state of the nation. The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “Free All Captives Now,” “End Anti-People Policies,” and “For a Living Wage,” as they lamented that innocent citizens are being killed, abducted, and displaced while government efforts remain inadequate. Femi Falana, who was instrumental in mobilizing the protest, reiterated the coalition’s demands, stating that the government must place the protection of lives and property at the core of governance.
The protest highlighted deep-seated frustrations regarding the administration’s economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and rising electricity tariffs, which participants argued have deepened poverty despite increasing government revenues. The atmosphere in Lagos grew tense as a counter-rally, identified as “Team Nigeria,” arrived at the same venue to voice support for the President’s reforms, forcing police to intervene to prevent a breakdown of order.
This mass action coincided with official Democracy Day commemorations, where President Bola Tinubu addressed the nation to mark 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule. While the President defended his administration’s policies as necessary for long-term growth, the protesters maintained that the current situation is untenable. The #EndBadGovernance movement continues to press for systemic changes, insisting that the government must address the rising cost of living and the safety of citizens across states like Oyo, Borno, and beyond.
