Nigeria's police protests point to wider frustrations

Significance

Nigeria's police are the most tangible face of daily misgovernance for its citizens. Yet the recent ‘#EndSARS’ protest movement that has gained global attention is not closely tied to existing organisations and embodies wider youth frustrations with the status quo.

Impacts

• Recent climbdowns by Buhari's government reflect its fear of a wider undermining of its authority on economic, social and political issues.
• Protests are unlikely to gain the same traction in the north, given stronger support for tactical policing units amid widespread insecurity.
• Calls for the police chief to resign may prove a distraction from reforms needed to push real improvement in accountability and performance.