#EndSARS
#EndSARS: A Case Study
In October 2020, Nigerian youth led one of the most powerful digital protests in Africa’s history. The #EndSARS movement began as a call to dismantle the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), accused of human rights abuses.
Timeline of Events
The hashtag #EndSARS first appeared on Twitter when user @mzNkemjoy posted in late 2017 calling for the disbandment of SARS, igniting an online campaign against police brutalityAdd Description Here
Youth protesters gathered at the Lagos State Government House and camped overnight demanding SARS’s dissolution. High-profile figures including Falz, Don Jazzy and others joined the sit-in.Add Description Here
Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu held a press conference declaring SARS disbanded; protesters viewed this as a superficial rebranding rather than genuine reform
Around 6:50 p.m., Nigerian Army personnel opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, with Amnesty International reporting at least 12 fatalitiesAdd Description Here
Nigerians returned to the toll gate to oppose its reopening; heavy security presence led to arrests of peaceful demonstrators, including comedian Mr MacaroniAdd Description Here
Impact Of The Movement
- Massive online engagement: 28M+ tweets worldwide
- Global protests from London to Toronto showing international solidarity
- Influenced Nigerian government reforms and policy discussions
Communication Style Analysis
Nigeria’s high-context culture combined with low-context digital platforms created a challenge in message interpretation—yet global solidarity bridged the gap.
“The #EndSARS movement demonstrated how cultural nuances in communication can be both a challenge and a strength in digital activism, creating authentic connections across cultural boundaries.”