When thousands of young Nigerians took to the streets in October 2020, the protest quickly grew beyond a social media campaign. People from different backgrounds gathered to demand an end to police brutality, extortion, harassment, and extrajudicial killings. Among the protesters were musicians, actors, comedians, television personalities and other public figures who used their fame to draw attention to the movement.

October 20: Remembering the #EndSARS Victims and the A-List Celebrities Who Joined the Movement

Some celebrities marched alongside young Nigerians, while others mobilised supporters, shared information online or spoke publicly against police misconduct. Their involvement brought additional attention to a movement that had already gained momentum among young people across the country.

The events of October 20, 2020, at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos became one of the most defining moments of the protest. Six years later, on October 20, 2026, the anniversary again brings attention to the victims, the celebrities who stood with protesters and the continuing demand for accountability.

Falz Took the Protest to the Streets

Rapper and actor Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, was among the most visible entertainers involved in the #EndSARS movement.

On October 8, 2020, Falz joined singer Runtown in leading protesters through parts of Lagos. The demonstrators carried placards and chanted against police brutality, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, commonly known as SARS.

Falz publicly emphasised that the demonstration was intended to be peaceful. His participation helped attract further attention to the protest, while his social media platforms enabled him to reach audiences beyond those physically present at the demonstration.

His involvement continued after the initial protests. On October 20, 2021, Falz joined comedian Mr Macaroni in organising a memorial car procession at the Lekki Toll Gate to remember people who lost their lives during the movement and other victims of police brutality.

The procession took place under heavy security presence. Participants remained in their vehicles, waved Nigerian flags and sounded their horns in remembrance of those who had died.

Falz also remembered the victims on the fifth anniversary in 2025, sharing a candlelight memorial tribute. His continued participation has made him one of the entertainers most closely associated with the movement and its annual remembrance.

Runtown Joined Falz in Leading Protesters

Singer Douglas Agu, popularly known as Runtown, was another musician who moved beyond online expressions of support to participate directly in the protests.

Before the October 8 demonstration, Runtown announced his intention to lead a protest against SARS. He remained committed to the plan even after another musician, Naira Marley, cancelled a previously announced demonstration.

Runtown subsequently joined Falz in leading protesters through Lagos. Their participation came as young Nigerians demanded an end to police harassment, extortion and alleged abuses by SARS operatives.

The demonstration helped establish the role that prominent entertainers would play during the early days of the movement. Rather than limiting their involvement to social media posts, Runtown and Falz physically joined protesters and publicly supported their demands.

Their actions also encouraged wider attention to the campaign as demonstrations spread to other parts of Nigeria.

Mr Macaroni Became a Prominent Face of the Movement

Comedian and actor Debo Adebayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, was another entertainment figure who became closely associated with the #EndSARS movement.

During the early demonstrations in October 2020, he participated in a sit in at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja. He stood alongside other young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and changes to policing in the country.

Mr Macaroni’s involvement did not end when the initial protests subsided. He continued to speak publicly about police conduct, accountability and the treatment of young Nigerians.

In February 2021, he was arrested during the #OccupyLagos protest. His arrest became another point of public discussion about the treatment of protesters and the right of citizens to demonstrate peacefully.

On October 20, 2021, he joined Falz in organising the first anniversary memorial procession at the Lekki Toll Gate. The following year, he also participated in the second anniversary remembrance, where he and Falz addressed participants.

Mr Macaroni’s involvement combined street activism with sustained public advocacy, making him one of the most recognisable entertainers associated with the movement.

Tiwa Savage Joined the Demonstrations

Singer Tiwa Savage was among the female entertainers who participated in the early Lagos protests.

On October 8, 2020, she joined other musicians and young Nigerians who took to the streets to demand an end to SARS. Her participation was part of a wider response from the entertainment industry as the campaign moved from social media into physical demonstrations.

Tiwa Savage also used her public profile to support the calls for change. Her involvement demonstrated that opposition to police brutality was not limited to male musicians or political activists.

The presence of popular female entertainers also helped bring more attention to the experiences of young Nigerians who said they had suffered harassment and intimidation from police officers.

Her participation placed her among the musicians who supported the movement through both public advocacy and physical presence at protests.

Peter Okoye Joined the Protest Movement

Peter Okoye, also known as Mr P and formerly one half of the music duo P Square, was another entertainer who supported the #EndSARS campaign.

Reports from October 2020 identified him among the celebrities who joined protesters in Lagos. He was also among the entertainers who publicly demanded an end to police brutality.

The participation of established musicians such as Peter Okoye gave the movement additional visibility. Their involvement showed that the demands being made by young Nigerians had attracted support from figures with substantial audiences in the entertainment industry.

Flavour, Phyno and Kcee Joined Protesters in Enugu

The protests were not limited to Lagos. Entertainers also joined demonstrations in other states, including Enugu, where musicians supported calls for an end to police brutality.

On October 13, 2020, singers Flavour and Phyno were identified among the entertainers who participated in the Enugu protest. Other musicians involved in the state’s demonstrations included Kcee, Zoro and Masterkraft.

Their participation became particularly prominent on October 17, when Flavour raised concerns about alleged threats against protesters. He stated publicly that the Enugu State Government should be held accountable if anything happened to him or other demonstrators.

The musicians were seeking an opportunity for peaceful protesters to communicate their demands to the state government. Their actions highlighted the geographical reach of the movement and the willingness of entertainers outside Lagos to become involved.

The Enugu demonstrations also showed that the protest was not simply a campaign driven by celebrities in Nigeria’s entertainment capital. Musicians in other parts of the country were also prepared to join young people demanding changes to policing.

DJ Spinall Joined the Lagos Demonstrations

Disc jockey and music producer DJ Spinall was another entertainer identified among the celebrities who participated in the early Lagos protests.

He joined other musicians and public figures who took to the streets on October 8, 2020, to demand the disbandment of SARS.

The involvement of DJs and music producers reflected the breadth of support the movement received from Nigeria’s entertainment industry. While singers and actors were among the most visible participants, other figures in music also used their public profiles to support the demands.

DJ Spinall’s reported participation placed him among the entertainers who physically joined the demonstration.

Davido Used His Platform to Amplify the Demands

Afrobeats star Davido was among the major Nigerian musicians who publicly supported the #EndSARS movement.

His involvement included social media advocacy and participation in a protest in Abuja. At a time when young Nigerians were demanding the disbandment of SARS, Davido used his platform to draw attention to the campaign.

He also called for psychological evaluations for police officers as part of the wider discussion about policing and reform.

Davido’s involvement attracted attention because of his popularity and the size of his audience. His statements helped carry the protest’s demands to people who might not have been following the demonstrations closely.

Wizkid Publicly Supported the Campaign

Singer Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, also publicly supported the #EndSARS movement.

His involvement included online advocacy, and he was reported among those who joined a protest in London on October 11, 2020. The demonstration was part of the international solidarity shown by Nigerians and supporters of the campaign living abroad.

Wizkid’s support helped draw attention to the movement beyond Nigeria. At the time, the protests were attracting international interest as videos and accounts of alleged police abuses circulated online.

His involvement was part of a wider response from Nigerian entertainers who used their influence to amplify calls for police reform.

The international demonstrations also showed how the campaign had moved beyond the country’s borders, with Nigerians in several cities gathering to express solidarity with protesters at home.

Burna Boy Added His Voice to the Movement

Singer Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, was among the musicians who publicly supported #EndSARS.

He used his public profile to amplify concerns about police brutality and was reported to have joined a demonstration in October 2020. His support helped bring additional international attention to the campaign.

The movement attracted solidarity from entertainers and public figures around the world, with musicians and other celebrities expressing concern about the treatment of Nigerian protesters.

Burna Boy’s involvement formed part of this wider response.

DJ Switch Documented the Lekki Toll Gate Events

Disc jockey Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, became one of the most significant public figures associated with the events at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

She was present at the location that evening and broadcast footage through Instagram Live as events unfolded. Her livestream attracted widespread attention and became an important part of the public record of the incident.

The footage and her subsequent accounts drew international attention to what protesters experienced at the toll gate. She also spoke publicly about what she said she witnessed.

DJ Switch faced serious concerns about her safety after the incident and described receiving threats. Her experience illustrated the personal risks that could accompany public involvement in the movement.

Her role was different from that of musicians who joined demonstrations earlier in October. While others mobilised protesters or publicly endorsed the campaign, DJ Switch’s documentation of the Lekki Toll Gate events became a major part of the subsequent discussion.

Her involvement remains central to accounts of how footage shared by individuals on social media can influence public understanding of a major national event.

Toke Makinwa Spoke Against Police Brutality

Media personality Toke Makinwa was among the public figures who supported the campaign against SARS and police brutality.

She used her platform to comment on the treatment of protesters and the wider concerns raised by young Nigerians. Her support formed part of a broader response from Nigerian entertainers and media personalities who amplified the movement online.

Celebrities such as Toke Makinwa could reach audiences beyond those who attended demonstrations. Their posts helped keep the campaign visible and contributed to conversations about police conduct and the rights of citizens.

Adesua Etomi Wellington Shared Her Experience

Actress Adesua Etomi Wellington was among the entertainment personalities who publicly expressed support for protesters during the movement.

In a message shared around the first anniversary in 2021, she recalled the fear she experienced on October 20, 2020. She said she was six months pregnant at the time and could hear gunshots from her home.

Her account offered a personal perspective on how the events at the Lekki Toll Gate affected people beyond those who were physically present at the protest ground.

The actress’s statement also reflected the anxiety experienced by Nigerians who followed the events from nearby homes and other locations.

Kate Henshaw Continued to Remember the Victims

Veteran actress Kate Henshaw was among the Nollywood personalities who continued to publicly remember victims of the #EndSARS protests.

On the first anniversary in 2021, she shared a message calling for justice, peace and an end to brutality. Her statement remembered people who lost their lives at the Lekki Toll Gate and elsewhere in Nigeria.

She also publicly remembered the victims on the fifth anniversary in 2025. Her message reflected the continuing significance of the event for those who believe that the victims should not be forgotten.

Kate Henshaw’s involvement illustrates how anniversary tributes became a recurring part of the movement’s public memory. For entertainers who had supported the protests, remembering the victims provided an opportunity to renew attention to the original demands.

Kemi Lala Akindoju Called for Accountability

Actress and producer Kemi Lala Akindoju was another Nollywood figure who publicly supported the movement and remembered the protesters.

On the first anniversary, she reflected on the peaceful demonstrations and the treatment of young Nigerians who had spoken out against police brutality.

Her message questioned the lack of meaningful change and accountability a year after the events. She also expressed concern about the continuing value placed on Nigerian lives and the absence of answers for those affected.

Her comments formed part of a broader response from actors and other public figures who argued that remembering the victims should involve more than posting tributes on social media.

Rita Dominic Remembered the Victims

Actress Rita Dominic also joined the public remembrance of those affected by the #EndSARS protests.

Her anniversary message in 2023 reflected on the victims and the need for a better Nigeria. The tribute placed her among the Nollywood personalities who continued to use their public platforms to remember the events.

The participation of actors and actresses in anniversary conversations also helped ensure that the subject remained visible beyond the immediate period of the protests.

Their messages often returned to the same central issues: the lives lost, the experiences of young Nigerians and the need for accountability.

Other Entertainers Also Supported the Movement

The celebrities most frequently associated with #EndSARS were not the only entertainers who lent their voices to the campaign.

Reports from October 2020 also identified musicians, actors, reality television personalities and media figures who supported the movement in different ways.

Among those reported at the early Lagos demonstrations were Odunlade Adekola, Mr Latin, IK Ogbonna, Tacha, WurlD, Jaywon, Dremo, Small Doctor, Don Jazzy and Toyin Abraham. Big Brother Naija personalities Elozonam, Ahneeka, Soma, Anto Lecky and Prince Enwerem were also identified among those who joined or supported the protests.

Other entertainers, including Genevieve Nnaji, Olamide, 2Baba, Banky W, Nathaniel Bassey and Frank Edwards, publicly lent their voices to calls for an end to police brutality.

What Happened at the Lekki Toll Gate?

The #EndSARS protests began against a backdrop of public complaints about SARS, a police unit accused of harassment, extortion, torture and extrajudicial killings.

Although the movement had existed online before October 2020, demonstrations intensified during the first half of that month. Young Nigerians gathered in Lagos and other cities, demanding SARS’s disbandment and broader changes to policing.

On October 11, 2020, the Inspector General of Police announced the dissolution of SARS. Protesters continued to demand action, including accountability for alleged abuses and measures to prevent similar conduct by other police units.

On October 20, soldiers were deployed to the Lekki Toll Gate during the Lagos curfew. Protesters were present at the location, and gunfire was reported that evening. The events became the subject of national and international scrutiny.

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry later examined the incident and described the military’s shooting as unwarranted, excessive, provocative and unjustifiable. The military disputed aspects of the findings, and questions about accountability remained part of the public debate.

The incident transformed the toll gate into a lasting symbol of the movement. Annual remembrances subsequently became opportunities for Nigerians to honour those who died and renew calls for justice.

Celebrities Returned for the Anniversary Memorials

The involvement of celebrities did not end with the demonstrations in October 2020.

On October 20, 2021, Falz and Mr Macaroni helped organise a memorial car procession at the Lekki Toll Gate. Participants drove through the area, waved Nigerian flags and sounded their horns in remembrance of the victims.

The procession took place amid a heavy security presence, and some people encountered restrictions and confrontations at the location. The organisers had encouraged participants to remain in their vehicles rather than gather in large groups.

Falz and Mr Macaroni also took part in the second anniversary remembrance in 2022. Their continued involvement helped maintain the memorial’s public visibility.

In 2025, Falz shared a candlelight tribute, while Mr Macaroni and Kate Henshaw also published messages remembering the victims. Activist Rinu Oduala was among those who used the fifth anniversary to reflect on the lives lost and the movement’s unfinished demands.

What the Celebrities’ Involvement Reveals

The participation of Nigerian entertainers showed how a social movement could draw support from different sections of society.

Falz and Runtown helped lead a major Lagos demonstration. Mr Macaroni joined protests and later organised memorial activities. Flavour, Phyno and other musicians participated in demonstrations in Enugu, while DJ Switch documented events at the Lekki Toll Gate.

Other entertainers used their online platforms to amplify the campaign, express solidarity or remember those who died.

#EndSARS was a youth led movement driven by Nigerians who demanded changes to policing and accountability for abuses. The celebrities were among the many people who helped draw attention to those demands. Their visibility also brought the campaign to audiences who might not otherwise have followed the protests closely.

Six Years Later, the Questions Remain

October 20, 2026, marks 6 years since the events at the Lekki Toll Gate. The anniversary remains a moment for remembering the victims and revisiting the demands that brought young Nigerians into the streets.

The public record establishes the involvement of numerous Nigerian celebrities in the 2020 movement and its subsequent memorials. It also documents tributes published by some of them on earlier anniversaries, including the fifth anniversary in 2025.

The significance of the anniversary extends beyond the public figures who took part. At its centre are the Nigerians who protested, the victims whose lives were lost and the families who continue to seek answers.

The celebrities’ involvement remains part of the movement’s history. The broader questions of accountability, justice and police reform continue to shape the meaning of #EndSARS six years later.