Nigerian President Bola Tinubu urged the cessation of protests against high living costs and appealed for an end to "bloodshed" in a televised address on Sunday morning.
"My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens," he said.
He urged everyone to avoid allowing violence and destruction to divide the nation, emphasizing the importance of working together to create a brighter future in which all Nigerians can live with "dignity and prosperity."
Nigerians have been leveraging online platforms to organize protests, advocating for reduced petrol prices and electricity tariffs, among other demands.
In response, Tinubu supported his economic policies, asserting that the "government has made significant strides in rebuilding the foundation of our economy to carry us into a future of plenty and abundance."
A total of 681 people were arrested during the two days of protests across the country on Thursday and Friday, police said in a statement. They charged them with criminal offenses that included armed robbery, arson, disorderly conduct, and destruction of both public and private property. At least 17 people have reportedly died in the unrest.
Since taking office last May, Tinubu has introduced significant reforms. These changes involve slashing costly petrol and power subsidies and devaluing the naira currency twice within a year to narrow the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates.