For many students, going to university is supposed to be a period of learning, growth and preparation for the future. However, the rising cost of food, transportation, accommodation, and other necessities is making campus life increasingly difficult.
With limited financial resources and growing expenses, students are being forced to make tough choices between their academic needs and everyday survival.
Anuoluwapo, a student at Babcock University, Ogun State, disclosed that the rising cost of food and household goods has really affected students.
‘A plate of food that used to be within the range of N500 – N650 in my first year is now N1,800-N2,000. Most students now avoid spending on meals relaying mostly on the meals provided by the school to save money.
‘Basic items such as soap, detergent, and toiletries have also doubled. It’s making budgeting very tight, and many of us are depending more on family support,’ she said.
Akpomiemie, another Babcock University student disclosed that rising food and household item prices are making daily life much tougher for students.
‘The money my parents used to send doesn’t stretch like before, so I have to cut back on things I used to buy, and even small items such as toiletries and other shopping essentials add up quickly.
‘It’s hard not to feel the pressure, especially when shopping for a new semester because the amount needed is now different from what it used to be,’ she said.
As a result of the price surge and cost of living crisis on campus, she said that sometimes, a student could get money from his or her parents and still wonder how it finished so quickly.
Ajibola Ogunjobi, a student at the University of Ibadan, said rising food prices mean his allowance finishes faster.
‘I previously would spend N5,000 for several days on meals, but now I buy less quantity of food with the amount, leaving me with less money for transport, data, textbooks and other necessities,’ he said.
Chinonso, a student at the University of Lagos, lamented the rising cost of living on campus.
‘Things have been very difficult for me, particularly feeding in UNILAG; I now live on a ratio of two to three or one to three. You can’t feed comfortably with N5,000 in a day.
‘If one doesn’t have N5,000 in your pocket, you will be afraid to enter many canteens. Compared to two or three years ago, when with N1,000, a student could manage and eat well.
‘I hardly visit canteens now; even shawarma and suya I used to buy before, I can’t afford it now again, I rather use the money to buy food and keep. I do a lot of calculations now because of the high cost of living,’ he said.
Emmanuella Adeyemo, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ike-Ife, Osun State, said that the increase in food prices is taking its strain on students, as they spend more now.
‘To make ends meet, one can buy pepper and blend it by hand to cut costs; some buy just ‘p?nm?’ or don’t put anything in their stew at all.
‘The quantity of pepper we got for N1,000 when I was in hundred level is what we are buying for N2,000 now. Some students don’t even buy pepper; they use tomato paste and ground pepper to make stew or just eat concoction rice,’ she explained.
A student from Caleb University said the rising cost of food and living is directly affecting her daily life.
‘The impact goes beyond how much am I going to spend on meals daily, it also affects the quality of food I eat per day.
‘I’ve to cut down on my daily expenditure to ensure I don’t run out of funds, sometimes, I have to trek or buy low quality meals just to get going,’ she said.
Nigeria’s food inflation accelerated in July, rising to 20.31 percent month-on-month from 17.52 percent in June, marking the sixth straight monthly rise, even as the country’s headline inflation rate slowed during the month.
The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that food inflation increased by 2.79 percent in July, driven by higher average prices of items including crayfish, fresh pepper, onions, carrots, rice, water yam, tomatoes, garri, plantain, beef, and eggs.
On a year-on-year basis, however, food inflation stood at 20.31 percent in July, down from 26.20 percent recorded in July 2025.
The increase in monthly food inflation highlights continued pressure on consumers despite the broader moderation in inflation. The headline inflation rate fell to 15.43 percent in July from 15.91 percent in June, while month-on-month headline inflation eased slightly to 1.57 percent from 1.66 percent.
In conclusion, the rising cost of living has placed a heavy burden on students, making it increasingly difficult for many to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education.
The high cost of food, accommodation, transportation, learning materials, and other essentials can negatively affect students’ academic performance and overall well-being.
Addressing this crisis therefore requires concerted efforts from governments, institutions, families, and other stakeholders through measures such as affordable accommodation, student financial support, and accessible basic services.
By reducing these economic pressures, students can concentrate better on their studies and have a fairer opportunity to succeed.