Special Report: Students Bear the Brunt of Soaring Food Prices, Transport Fare

Source: Google Images

By Bolaji Badmus

"Before, allowances were enough to get food, and data and I'd still have change left. But now, everything is scattered!" Triumph emphasized.

Students in Nigeria are bearing the brunt of the country's rising inflation. Prices for basic necessities like food and transportation have been on the rise, which has put a strain on many families and is impacting the lives of many students. 

For Triumph Emmanuel, a 200-level Mass communication student, the impact of the inflation cannot be overestimated.

Triumph's primary source of income is the allowance he receives from home. A year before now, the allowance he receives has been enough to cater for his feeding, transportation, and necessities and get him through as a regular student, until he receives the next. However,  this is not the case anymore due to the rising cost of basic necessities.

"As a student, I used to confidently decline when they offered to bring foodstuffs for me and prefer going to the market to buy it myself with about N7,000 which will last me for about 4 days. But now, the same is not enough for 2 days." He said.

"Even 15,000 isn't enough to shop for foodstuffs, because two paint of rice is about 8000, which is already more than half of the total money" he added.

The case is no different for Ikhine Efeomo, a 300-level student of History and International Studies who is also dealing with the impact of the inflation on her well-being and academics. 

Efeomo, most times, is afraid to make inquiries about the price of foodstuffs at the market simply because the prices constantly increase. 

"When I resumed, I used to buy palm oil for ₦800, but I was shocked to discover it was ₦1000. I almost fainted because I didn't budget that in my calculations" she explained.

As a means of cutting down the expenditure on food, Efeomo has resulted to not eating according to her usual schedule and also not sharing any of her foodstuff with her friends.

Inflation In Nigeria

Source: Trading Economy 

This increasing inflation rate is a cause for concern, as it affects the purchasing power of the students.

The annual inflation rate in Nigeria accelerated for nine straight months to 21.09% in October of 2022 from 20.77% in September. This was the highest reading since September 2005. Food inflation climbed for the eighth month to 23.72%, the highest since October 2005, and transport inflation rose to 19% from 18.7% in October.

 
The inflation rate is currently at its highest level in over a decade, and it is expected to continue to rise in the coming months. This is having a devastating impact on the lives of many students and their families.

Many students have had to drop out of school due to the increased costs, and those still in school struggle to keep up with the rising prices.

The Transport Struggle is Real

Source: Google Images

Efeomo who lives 2km away from the LASU main campus has the habit of making use of the university library after the day's classes, until 6pm when she leaves for home. She uses the library to study and do assignments.

Recently, she has not been able to visit the library and stay till evening, because she has to leave the school early enough before buses become scarce and fare spikes.

"After I finished with the class for the day by 10am, I wanted to use the library to do some assignments and get some materials, but I could not wait," she said. "If I stayed longer in school, First Gate bus stop would be ₦100 to ₦150, instead of the usual ₦50. The transportation issue is not helping matters" she added.

Even for Triumph, the frequent increase in transport fare disorganises his already planned out budget for the day. He also states that he falls into "mini depression" sometimes when he realises the transport fare increases weekly. 

"Transport fare that was normally N300 -N400 now has gone to N600, and that's not the end because the drivers are still telling us that the fare is still moving up and it's quite disappointing and is suffering for students" He protested.

The surge in transport fare has been an issue for students who live far away from school. Students who leave the school after lectures as late as 6pm often become stranded at the front of the school gate, unable to get buses heading to their destinations.

Students are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living due to inflation. The cost of basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation have all increased significantly, making it difficult for students to make ends meet. 

In addition, the devaluation of the Nigerian naira has made it even more difficult for students to pay for their tuition fees and other educational expenses. To cope with these challenges, many students are turning to part-time jobs, running small-scale businesses, online gigs, and cutting back on their spending. 

Despite these efforts, the current economic situation in Nigeria is making it increasingly difficult for students to stay afloat.