The rising cost of living has turned the simple act of getting a decent meal into a source of anxiety. Many Nigerian students now ration their meals, survive on unhealthy alternatives, or attend lectures on empty stomachs. Hunger has become an invisible classmate, sitting quietly beside thousands of young people who are expected to learn, concentrate, and excel despite the odds. But how can a student concentrate when the stomach is empty?
The Federal Government has taken a commendable step through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial support, including an upkeep stipend for eligible students. However, one must ask: how far can a ?20,000 monthly stipend go in today’s economy, where the prices of food and other basic necessities continue to rise?
Financial assistance is helpful, but it loses much of its impact when inflation steadily erodes its purchasing power.
The long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of the rising cost of living. Government must implement policies that curb inflation, stabilise food prices, strengthen the economy, and improve the purchasing power of citizens. Educational institutions and other stakeholders can complement these efforts through student support initiatives, but the primary responsibility for creating an economy where students can afford basic necessities rests with the government.
No student should have to choose between attending lectures and having a nutritious meal. If we truly believe that education is the foundation of national development, then we must ensure that those pursuing it are not doing so on empty stomachs.