We’re learning on empty stomachs, Nigerian undergraduates cry out for help

By Nneoma Ahukanna and Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Recently, President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, April 3 2024, signed into law the student loans (Access to Higher Education), repeal and re-enactment bill 2024. It seeks to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.

Recall that exactly a year ago, June 2023, Tinubu initially signed the student loan bill into law, to offer financial assistance to Nigerian students in tertiary institutions. While it had been signed earlier, its implementation has faced delays due to issues hindering its actualisation.

Speaking after signing it into law, the president said, ‘First of all, I must thank members of the national Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively. We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is not excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.’

All undergraduates of Nigerian universities will be beneficiaries of the student loan scheme according to Akintunde Sawyer, who is the CEO of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund NELFUND.  He outlined the requirements for would-be beneficiaries of the loan programme which President Tinubu signed into law on April 3, fulfilling his promise that no Nigerian student would drop out due to lack of funds.

The guidelines for applying for student  loans include getting to access the portal by visiting the NELFUND  website, uploading the required documents such as  the  Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) admission letter, National Identification number NIN, Bank verification number BVN, and complete the loan application form by filling your personal details.

‘You have to be a Nigerian student to apply. You must also not have defaulted on any previous loans or found guilty of exam malpractice, felony or drug offenses. For the first stage of the scheme, only students from federal institutions, universities, polytechnics, and colleges are eligible to apply,’ The NELFUND boss stated.

However, despite the NELFUND programme notwithstanding, Nigerian students are facing a mounting crisis – skyrocketing food prices. With headline inflation levels reaching a staggering 33.69% in April 2024, the highest in nearly 30 years, students are struggling to put food on the table, jeopardising their education and well-being.  Food inflation, a key driver of overall inflation, has reached a brutal 40.5%. This means the cost of essential food items like rice, beans, and vegetables has risen by a staggering 40% compared to last year. This increase is much faster than any possible increase in student stipends or allowances, leaving many with difficult choices – eat less, skip healthy meals, or potentially drop out altogether.

In this special report, we explore the increasingly difficult financial situation faced by students across Nigeria. From Federal Polytechnic Nekede to campuses nationwide, rising living costs are posing significant challenges to student welfare and educational pursuits.

Blessing Ibe, a student of Federal Polytechnic Nekede studying Cooperative Economics and Food Management, expressed in an interview, ‘I have never entered the school cafeteria to buy anything. However, at the school gate, a plate of food costs 2000 naira. One day, when we went to buy food, they informed us of the price increase. We couldn’t afford it anymore. Wealthy students can afford such prices, but poorer students like me struggle. Many students now substitute proper meals with snacks like pepper rolls or buns and a drink, often opting for zobo instead of coke. Even the price of sachet water has risen to fifty naira each. These sellers take advantage of our situation, making it difficult for me to afford water when I’m thirsty. Last year, sachet water was sold for half the current price.

‘Because everything is so expensive, sometimes I go without eating at school, saving to eat at home where it’s more affordable. People exploit our economic hardship. Instead of lowering prices to help us, they raise them further. This affects us greatly.

‘I appeal to the Federal Government to intervene and protect students from escalating textbook and food prices. If this economic hardship continues, many students may not complete their studies up to HND level. The government should support us to prevent dropouts due to financial strain.’

Miriam Madukwem

Miriam Madukwem, a sales representative at Sharon Fast Food and also an Accounting student at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, added, ‘The economic challenges have significantly impacted our business. We no longer make the profits we used to, like earning 30,000 naira in a day. Students complain about the high cost of food. Some prefer to skip meals altogether or just drink water. Students ask for reduced prices, but lowering them would mean we can’t cover our costs. We urge the government to assist us. Students are suffering here. With 2000 naira, we can’t even prepare a full meal. They should also address the fluctuating dollar exchange rates and the impact of fuel price hikes.’

Opara Ujunwa Anthonet

Opara Ujunwa Anthonet, an Alvan Ikokwu College of Education graduate, reflected, ‘The high cost of food is a burden on students. I know firsthand the challenges I faced during my student days. It wasn’t easy. I am grateful to have completed my studies, and now I await my National Youth Service. I sincerely urge the federal government to support students so they can complete their studies without undue financial stress.’

Miss Gharis Igwe, (real names withheld) is a 200- level undergraduate of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri. She recounts the present ordeals most students of tertiary institutions undergo while pursuing academic training in Nigeria.

‘The worst of this situation is not just having to learn on empty stomach, but having to meet some of the lecturers’ unreasonable demands. It's like they don't know we are also going through the same hardships in the country.’

She went on to regret that due to economic hardships the spate of incidents of thefts have increased in the hostels.

‘Everyone is now extra careful with their property and how they keep them safe and secure to avoid stories that touch the heart.’

Hook-ups and Yahoo fraud has become the order of the day for many of our students in campuses to make ends meet.’

To further help students cope with their academic pursuits, Scholarships, educational grants, and student bursaries are given by some individuals and companies like

The Guiness Nigeria undergraduate scholarship that provides full time tuition for students who are currently studying in public Nigerian universities.

Jim Ovia foundation scholarship is fully founded by Mr. Jim Ovia to provide financial aid to outstanding Nigeria youths. It was formerly known as the MUSTE scholarship mankind United to support total education. It is founded and funded by Mr. Jim Ovia in 1998.

Gani Fawehimi Scholarship for Nigerian students. MTN scholarships: MTN science and technology scholarship since 2010 has been open to eligible 300 level students studying science and technology related courses.

Other undergraduate scholarships available UNICEF scholarship, The David Oyedepo Foundation scholarship program.

The Nigerian women Association of Georgia each year awards scholarship to 37 women in Nigeria, one each from the 36 states and Federal capital territory.

Oil and gas companies like Shell Nigeria Petroleum development company joint venture, NNPC, SEPLAT, as well as agencies such as PTF, TETFUND etc offer scholarship and bursaries to eligible students.