By Saheed Ibrahim

“Renewed Hope,” he declared during his campaign before the February 25, 2023 Presidential election. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu promised to make education accessible and affordable. As captured in his 80-page manifesto document, he vowed to create a conducive learning environment and improve educational outcomes in Nigeria.

Minutes after his swearing-in, he declared that “petrol subsidy is gone,” ending decades of government subvention of refined fuel importation in Nigeria. From the N185 per litre official pump price, petrol moved to N600 – N700, with prices varying across regions in the country. Coupled with the fall of the naira and skyrocketing inflation rate (the highest in 27 years), there has been an unimaginable increase in the prices of food items and other commodities. This report captures the toll of the current economic hardship on Nigerian students.

Universities increased fees

On January 6, the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), dropped a bombshell. A circular emerged, proposing an astronomical increase in school fees. Fresh students faced a staggering bill of N240,500 while existing students in various levels were confronted with exorbitant figures ranging from N127,500 to N131,000. These numbers, akin to a cruel joke, starkly contrasted with the modest fees of yesteryears. Just four years ago, a final-year student paid a mere N13,000, a figure that ballooned to N37,000 last year.

Attempting to justify the increment, the institution’s Director of Corporate Communication, Adegbenro Adebanjo, stated that the proposed new fees are “mainly for student-related services which are sourced from the economy. The costs of such goods and services provided by the university for the students will certainly be impacted by the costs of goods and services in the economy.

“To ensure the smooth running of the university, certain consumables and payments for municipal services such as electricity, water, hostel maintenance, cleaning, and sundry other services are necessary, and the costs of providing these services have shot up. The new charges are in response to this.”

FUTA students protesting. Source: Channels TV

FUTA students took to the streets in protest, and eventually, the new fees were slashed. However, the reprieve was short-lived. New students are now to pay N159,500 while other levels pay about N70,000.

Unfortunately, FUTA students’ plight is not an isolated incident. The University of Jos joined the chorus of fee hikes, leaping from N45,000 to N95,000 and beyond. Plateau State University, University of Uyo, Bayero University, Kano, and other institutions also danced to the same tune of economic struggle.

New FUTA fees

The voice of Lateef echoes the sentiments of countless students grappling with the new harsh realities of higher education in Nigeria occasioned by fee increments. “This unfavourable economy and the recent increase in our school fees have really affected me,” he lamented.

Cumulative increases in transportation, house rent, educational materials, and most importantly, prices of food items, have amplified the impact of school fee increments, emerging as formidable obstacles threatening to derail dreams and shatter aspirations. How have these hardship vectors impacted Nigerian students?

As confirmed by the Global President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Comrade Oyelade Hammed, many students face financial difficulties that have dealt blows to their academics and mental health.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges students face in this time of hardship. From financial strains affecting their ability to afford education to mental health concerns due to uncertainty and stress, the impact is profound,” he said.

As confirmed by the Global President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Comrade Oyelade Hammed, many students face financial difficulty that has dealt blows to their academics and mental health.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges students face in this time of hardship. From financial strains affecting their ability to afford education to mental health concerns due to uncertainty and stress, the impact is profound,” he said.

Hopefully, the appeal of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to the National Assembly to pass a resolution that prohibits public tertiary institutions from increasing school fees in the next 10 years will be granted.

Begging to survive

Jude and his twin sister harboured dreams of becoming esteemed health practitioners in Nigeria, but tragedy struck with the sudden death of their father in 2020, shattering their aspirations. Plunged into uncertainty and despair, they were thrust into the harsh reality of fending for themselves, given their family’s precarious financial situation. Despite their relentless efforts, financial hurdles continually obstructed their path to university education.

Finally securing admission to FUTA in 2023, their hopes were swiftly dashed as the university implemented a staggering 300% increase in school fees. Forced to make an agonizing decision, Jude’s twin sister sacrificed her education, pooling together her savings with Jude’s to scrape together enough to cover his tuition. Tearfully, he recounted, “My twin sister had to step down for me. She gave me the money she saved up to add to mine, so I can pay my fees.”

The burden of expenses didn’t end with tuition; accommodation, departmental fees, and daily necessities strained their already taut budget. Jude found himself humiliated by his inability to meet financial obligations, resorting to relying on the generosity of friends for meals and seeking assistance to stay afloat in school.

Omowumi Ezekiel, a 400-level student at Adekunle Ajasin University, echoed Jude’s sentiments, expressing her anguish over the unrelenting hardships exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. “Even if the money is available,” she lamented, “the food items are so expensive, and I need money for other expenses in school.”

Lateef Boluwatife, a 300-level student, described his ordeal, as struggling to afford necessities like water and rent, let alone school bills. Moshood Obafemi, a final-year student, recounted resorting to borrowing from strangers and even taking out loans just to pay his school fees, a desperate measure he never imagined he’d take.

For Adekola Amusho and countless others like Taiwo Emmanuel, Michael Ibe, and Rebecca Adeola, the pursuit of education is a test of endurance. Pushing aside necessities for survival, they navigate a daily struggle to secure their future, fueled by an unwavering determination to overcome adversity and achieve their dreams amidst the relentless onslaught of economic hardship.

Some stay, some drop-out

Not only did Jude’s twin sister sacrifice her education for his, but Kabirat also made the heart-wrenching decision to abandon her studies for the sake of her siblings. Akindele Kabirat, a second-year student at Bamidele Olomilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, felt the weight of the economic situation and school demands pressing down on her. With the current school fee set at N210,000, alongside other expenses, the burden became unbearable, leading her to relinquish her educational pursuits.

“This has affected me in so many ways, which led to me dropping out of school to work to help my parents send my siblings to school,” she shared with a heavy heart.

“The reason for this was that a lot of people go to school and now they are unable to get a job. So, I have no reason to waste over a million going to school, with no assurance of getting a good job. So I think of starting a business that I can easily make money from if I invest the payable school fees in the business,” Kabirat added.

Recall, that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, had already raised an alarm that 40 to 50 per cent of students may drop out of school within the next two years if the Federal Government fails to stop the continuous fee hike in the universities.

Our surviving tactics

Amidst the harsh realities of student life in Nigeria, some have resorted to innovative means to survive. While some delved into online businesses and drop-shipping, others with vocational skills commercialize their talents for economic gains. Collaborating with eateries, and point-of-sale (POS) operators, and taking up menial jobs have become prevalent among students.

“My only means of survival as a student is just arrangement of files, for the new student. I arrange files for my fellow students and they pay me.  My way of eating in this present situation in Nigeria is 0-1-0 and sometimes 0-0-1,” shared Ogunmakin Israel, a student of Olabisi Onabanjo University.

Similarly, Adewole Oreoluwa has started selling perfume to support herself and her family, echoing the struggle many students face to make ends meet.

Yet, unlike universities in developed countries, Nigerian institutions seldom offer work-study opportunities, severely constricting students’ financial avenues. While initiatives like the work-study programme at Olabisi Onabanjo University offers a glimmer of hope, such initiatives remain rare in public schools nationwide.

Esther Adeolu’s plight mirrors that of countless students, “I had to work with a POS operator. I can read in the shop and get paid. There are no on-campus job opportunities unless you have your own business.” Michael Ibe shares her frustration, emphasizing the scarcity of part-time jobs for students, both on and off-campus.

In a system defined by financial hardship and limited prospects, Nigerian students are not merely struggling to pursue education but fighting for survival against insurmountable odds.

From gas to charcoal, firewood

In years past, a kilogram of cooking gas cost a mere N250-N300. However, in the current economic climate, the price has skyrocketed to between N1,200 to N1,500 per kilogram. In areas populated by students, prices soar even higher as sellers take advantage of the captive market, corroborating the hardships described by Omowunmi.

Faced with the exorbitant cost of cooking gas, students have been forced to seek alternative means to prepare their meals. Many resort to traditional methods such as cooking with firewood and charcoal, while others must wait for intermittent power supply to use electric cookers, commonly known as hot plates.

Taiwo shared his plight with The Hope, revealing, “I have stopped using gas because of the hardship in the country. Most students are now using charcoal and exploring other cooking methods due to the high price of cooking gas.”

For students with access to hostel facilities or those fortunate enough to have a consistent electricity supply, cooking becomes a game of timing. “I cook my meals at midnight when there is electricity,” disclosed Bimbo Adekunle. “I prepare a large quantity that can last throughout the day, using my gas cooker to reheat leftovers in the evening. When there is no power, I either skip cooking or settle for noodles.”

As students navigate the complexities of daily life amidst economic hardship, even the most basic necessities like cooking fuel become luxuries, further highlighting the profound impact of Nigeria’s economic challenges on its youth.

Our Silent Battle with Depression

In the shadows of their academic pursuits, many students grapple not only with the weight of their studies but also with the silent torment of depression, fueled by economic hardship and uncertainty.

Omowunmi Ezekiel’s voice trembles with despair as she confides in The Hope, revealing how the relentless rise in inflation has left her unable to care for herself. “This alone has caused me to be depressed because I don’t know how to take care of myself again. I can’t concentrate on books when things are not going well for me, so this economic issue is impacting my academics. I think all the time.”

Her burden is compounded by vendors and sellers who exacerbate students’ struggles by inflating prices, callously assuming that ‘students are rich.’ Lateef Boluwatife, a 300-level student, finds himself engulfed not only in academic challenges but also in the collapse of his business. “It is hard to eat, pay rent, and even afford water to drink now, let alone school bills,” he laments, his voice tinged with desperation.

“This unfavourable economy and the recent increase in our school fees have really affected me. The little business I do is slow, and there is no capital for it. Depression creeps in, and with depression, suicidal thoughts become the next train of thought.”

Moshood Obafemi’s story is one of mounting debt and despair. Unable to repay the loan he obtained from online banks to cover his school fees, he finds himself sinking deeper into depression with no lifeline in sight. “This has caused me depression because I don’t know how to get the remaining half of my school fees,” he confides, his tone heavy with resignation.

With hardship, death comes on the menu

“He was very bright and lively. Nobody ever suspected he was suicidal,” so it was said about Samuel Aluko, a 200-level student of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Ekiti State. On March 20 this year, he committed suicide by hanging himself in the bathroom. His lifeless body was discovered by his neighbour. He was said to be going somewhere with his friends but he went back to the house to get something. The news of his suicide was announced later.

Information from sources around him showed that Samuel might have committed suicide due to a financial crisis. It was alleged that he couldn’t pay his school fees and had been asking for help around. Perhaps, it was too much to bear and the young man decided to end it all. Sources claimed that his dangling body could not be removed immediately as the community demanded some rite to ward off reoccurrence in the area.

Samuel joined the list of Nigerian students who committed suicide due to financial crisis in recent times. Joseph Olona, a 300-level student of the Department of Industrial Design at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) was reported to have committed suicide last year. Ebuka Joshua and Modestus Egbulefu’s cases were also reported, adding to the ugly rise in the suicide rate among students in the country in the last six years. Reports have shown that several cases of suicide among the students were linked to financial problems.

With the current economic hardship in the country and universities increasing fees, the rate of depression and suicide among Nigerian students may surge further.

On Friday, March 22, two students — Grace Danladi and Rose Micheal — of Nasarawa State University died while others were injured during the stampede ahead of the distribution of palliatives to students of the school by the Nasarawa State government. The aim was to reduce the students’ suffering. However, it exacerbated the pains and agonies the families of the lost souls face.

The unfortunate incident would not have occurred if the hardship that necessitated the distribution of palliatives wasn’t in place.

Taking Solace in Yahoo, Sports Betting

It came not as a surprise as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 14 undergraduates of FUTA on February 14, 2024. EFCC revealed that “Items recovered at the point of arrest include 10 exotic cars, phones, laptops, and one motorbike.” Earlier, the commission had apprehended 19 students of Akwa Ibom State University in Mkpat-Enin and 70 students of Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State, for suspected internet-related offences, among other arrests made.

“We do not have where to park cars again. It is even shameful to park your car where these students park. Our campus is filled with exotic vehicles; these are not vehicles for university top principal officers or even professors. Our students drive cars my five-year combined salaries cannot buy,” lamented one lecturer to The Hope, revealing the simmering frustration among faculty members.

Internet scam, commonly known as Yahoo Yahoo, has become deeply intertwined with Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges. Julius, a third-year student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, reluctantly divulged, “My friends have advised I join them since we were in 200 level but I could not due to my upbringing. But last month, I started learning. I don’t think I can cope anymore. I barely eat or buy needed books. I do go to my friends to help me. They told me if I could not join, then I should not bother them. I have no choice.”

As Yahoo thrives, so does gambling, particularly sports betting. Sporty Bet, a popular sports betting platform, has become ubiquitous among Nigerian students. Among male students, gambling has become a pervasive pastime, with a recent report confirming a surge in gambling among Nigerian youths aged 18 to 35. The report indicates that 53% of the punters have skipped school work due to gambling, signifying that more than half of the respondents are students.

“Sporty bet o,” exclaimed Kunle, a 300-level student of AAUA. “This is what is giving my friends and me money now to survive,” he added. While acknowledging the staggering losses they endure, Kunle reveals the communal nature of their gambling endeavours, where a win for one is a win for all, serving as a lifeline in their struggle to navigate the turbulent waters of economic hardship and academic pressure.

More female students take up hookup

Spicy (nickname), a 19-year-old year one student of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, said she was introduced to commercial sex, popularly called “hookup” among students, by her mate, Brenda.

The pastor’s daughter said, “Brenda introduced me to the work so that I will not lack anything and she told me she has been doing the work to feed herself and do other stuff in school.

  “The first time I went out with a man, he paid me well, 25k. The man even said anytime he needed me, he would call for me. He gave me money and I satisfied him. Ever since I started making more money and buying things on my own,” she told The Hope.

While male students seem to take solace in Yahoo and betting, their females take to hookup for survival. Not only Spicy has taken up hookup to survive the harsh realities of school, there are many others.

“(laughs) What are we going to do? I have to survive”, Wunmi told The Hope. She continued, “Honestly, it is not what you do with pride but who gives you money now without asking for something in return? I cannot even call home because they too are facing the same thing. I have to find a way.” Wunmi is one of the four-lady hookup ‘geng’ I met in the course of this report.

For Students with Disabilities, Worse is Expected

Students with disabilities in Nigeria, and globally, have always agitated for inclusion, especially within the school system. In Nigeria, students with visual impairment find it difficult to access books because most books in university libraries do not have Braille versions. Hence, they rely on other students to read and explain books to them.

The Hope’s interaction with students with special needs showed worsened conditions.

Ridwan is a final-year student of AAUA. He could not engage in any economic activity because of his disability, making him dependent on his parents, who are civil servants. With the sponsors battling economic difficulties, Ridwan also shares the troubles.

“The way it affects my sponsors, it affects me more. The amount being given to me from home as allowance is no longer enough for my basic needs”, he said.

He added that he could not demand more money from his parents because their earnings did not increase and the cost of living continues to skyrocket. 

He lamented to The Hope that getting things done like buying groceries from the market, does not come easy for him. “I always spend more and more but the money coming in does not increase,” he lamented.

His fellow final-year student, Beke Henrick, said he has been surviving with the help of friends around him. He added that if not that his father understood that his condition would worsen the impact of economic hardship on him, his situation would have worsened.

Opeyemi Bosede is visually impaired and relies on her mates to take her to classes. According to her, she usually gets late to class if she treks but will have to pay for a shuttle for herself and anybody guiding her. With the increase in fares, she has to spend more without an increase in her allowances.

“Instead of he/she (her guide) asking me to start running like the way other students do in order not to miss classes, I will be advised to take a shuttle and you know I will always be responsible for the transport fare.

“So, all these make life more difficult for persons with visual impairment. We spend more but our allowance and income are not increasing.

“We always face more challenges whenever there is inflation or there is any kind of challenge in the country that affects everybody. We always face times two of the challenges,” she explained.

Speaking with The Hope, the National Youth Secretary of the Nigeria Association of the Blind and Ondo State Chapter PRO, Nasirudeen Oladele, raised concerns about the detrimental impact of subsidy policies on persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the country.

Oladele lamented the significant challenges faced by PWDs, particularly students and the unemployed, whose access to education and essential resources is severely hindered.

He highlighted that due to the irregular availability of subsidized goods, students struggle to maintain a balanced diet, impacting their concentration and study performance adversely.

He told The Hope that the soaring prices of basic goods, including writing materials like typing sheets and cardboard papers, have added to the financial burden faced by PWDs, which has significantly reduced their academic efficiency and performance.

According to him, the lack of adequate government assistance has worsened conditions for students with disabilities, contrasting with nations prioritizing inclusion and providing modern tools.

He emphasized the urgent need for governmental and individual support, echoing calls within the disability community for proper funding of education, including scholarships and bursaries.

Part of his worries also include doubt about job opportunities for students with disabilities after school, attributing it to societal misconceptions about their capabilities. He pleaded for a chance to prove their worth through trial opportunities.