A Critical Exploration of the Forms of Violent Protests in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

As a recurring phenomenon, mass violent protests exert substantial influence on the construction industry and its ability to deliver projects effectively. Such protests, characterized by rioting, looting, and civil unrest, not only disrupt construction activities but also pose significant safety risks to workers and project assets. Project delays escalated costs, and heightened security measures can profoundly impact the industry's project delivery timelines and overall performance. This quantitative study delves into the landscape of violent protests in Lagos, Nigeria, explicitly identifying the various forms of these protests and understanding their frequency of occurrence and significance. Through a five-Likert scale questionnaire, participants ranked the intensity of different protests, revealing that Lagos experiences a wide array of protests. While some protests are more severe than others, the study findings highlight that strikes (mean = 4.42; Sig = 0.000*; K-W = 0.182) and resistance (mean = 4.48; Sig = 0.000*; K-W = 0.094) are relatively common and significant, though less frequent than riots (mean = 4.55; Sig = 0.000*; K-W = 0.185) and rebellions (mean = 4.51; Sig = 0.000*; 0.634). Furthermore, the respondents have closely related opinions on the form of protests ravaging Lagos. The outcomes of this study closely align with existing literature, underscoring the high frequency of violent and non-violent protests in Lagos. These findings bear significant practical implications, particularly for the construction industry, where these protests can lead to project delays, increased costs, and safety concerns. Recognizing the diversity of protest forms and their significance is crucial for stakeholders to develop effective strategies to manage and mitigate their impact on regional construction projects