By Abiodun Abdullai
In April 1978, a seemingly minor increase in the price of students' meals—just 50 kobo—ignited one of Nigeria's most significant student uprisings, forever etched in history as the "Ali Must Go" protests.
The crisis erupted when the military government, led by General Olusegun Obasanjo, announced a policy requiring students to pay more for their daily meals, raising the cost from N1.50 to N2.00. The decision, which was widely unpopular, placed then Minister of Education, Ahmadu Ali, at the center of student outrage.
Students Mobilize Against the Government
The National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), under the leadership of its president, Segun Okeowo, swiftly mobilized against the policy. Meetings were held across universities in Maiduguri, Ilorin, and Calabar, where students strategized their response. Despite Ali's attempts to shift blame to the Supreme Military Council, students remained unconvinced and demanded a reversal.
When it became clear that the government was unwilling to back down, NUNS called for nationwide protests.
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The First Shot: Protest Turns Bloody
The demonstrations began at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where students clashed with the police. In a tragic turn, a student was shot in the leg but was denied treatment at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi. He bled to death, fueling student anger.
Outraged, Okeowo sent an urgent message to student leaders at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and the University of Ibadan, calling for a nationwide escalation of protests. The movement quickly gained momentum, with students confronting police and soldiers across the country.
Massacre in Zaria: The Tipping Point
The situation took a deadly turn in Zaria, where soldiers opened fire on unarmed students, killing at least eight. The killings shocked the nation, turning the protest into a full-blown confrontation with the government. The chant "Ali Must Go!" echoed across university campuses, symbolizing student defiance against what they saw as an oppressive regime.
Government Crackdown and Aftermath
After a week of escalating protests, the federal government shut down all universities and ordered students to vacate campuses. Despite the crackdown, the "Ali Must Go" movement remains a defining moment in Nigeria's history, marking the resilience and power of student activism.
The legacy of Segun Okeowo and his leadership in the 1978 protests continues to inspire student movements in Nigeria today, serving as a reminder of the power of collective resistance in the face of injustice.
