Occupy Nigeria — Fuel Subsidy Removal Protests

On January 1, 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan removed the fuel subsidy, causing petrol prices to double overnight from ₦65 to ₦141 per litre. Within days, millions took to the streets in protests dubbed “Occupy Nigeria,” inspired by the global Occupy movement. The NLC called a general strike, and economic activity ground to a near-total halt for two weeks.

At least 11 protesters were killed by security forces, and hundreds were injured. Under pressure, Jonathan partially restored the subsidy, settling petrol at ₦97 per litre. The protests demonstrated the explosive political sensitivity of fuel prices in Nigeria and foreshadowed the even larger convulsion that would follow when Tinubu fully removed the subsidy in 2023.