The increasing prevalence of protest commercialization and franchising in Nigeria has significantly undermined the effectiveness of social movements aimed at achieving good governance. This study critically examines protest commercialization and franchising as bane of effective social demands of good governance in Nigeria with a focus on “EndSARS” and “End Bad Governance” protests, in Lagos Nigeria. The study aims to investigate the impact of these protests on Nigerian governance, examining the roles of commercialization in undermining their effectiveness; with an assessment of the effects of franchising public trust for pecuniary gains. We explore how protest commercialization perpetuates conflict and obstructs peace, and propose actionable solutions to mitigate these negative effects. The research adopts a survey design targeting a population of approximately 2,500 individuals involved in or knowledgeable about the protests in Lagos. A sample size of 400 respondents is selected using purposive and random sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires are used as research instruments, with validity ensured through expert review and a reliability coefficient of 0.83 established through pilot testing. Data collection is covers two months, and descriptive statistical methods are employed for data analysis, providing detailed insights into the research questions. Findings reveal that while the protests raise significant awareness about governance issues, commercialization and franchising dilute their impact by introducing competing interests therefore eroding public trust. The study concludes that ethical leadership, transparency, and regulatory frameworks are essential to preserving the integrity of civil right movements. Key recommendations include integrating ethical education into civic programs, promoting political neutrality in protests, and fostering constructive government-protester dialogue to address grievances effectively.
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179-198