THE EFFECT OF END SARS PROTEST ON SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN LAGOS STATE.

This study was carried out to examine the effect of End SARS protest on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos State. Specifically, the study examined aimed at ascertaining if the End SARS protest has any negative effect on Small and Medium Enterprises in Lagos State. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 230 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings revealed that extortion, abuse and human rights of suspects and extra judicial killings as well as bad government were among the causes of End SARS protest in Lagos state. Furthermore, the findings revealed that
killing of protesters by security operatives and military, destruction of private and public properties by protesters, disruption of movement and looting and vandalization of shops were among the negative effects of the End SARS protest in Lagos state. The findings further revealed that the End SARS protest has negative effects on SMEs in Lagos state. The study recommend government of Nigeria should come to the realization that SMEs are the life wire that drives any economy and should do their best to make sure that their interests are protected. More so,
Government of Nigeria should look into those whose shops were looted and vandalized and put assistance measures in place to restore them for full operation.