THE HARSH REALITY

In the early 1990s,when I gained admission into the University of Benin (UNIBEN),pursuing a university education felt accessible even for students from humble backgrounds like mine.My school fees were just ₦6,500, and accommodation(campus) was around ₦5,000 per session.The primary obligation my parents placed on me was simple: study hard and earn good grades.Pocket money was often limited,but the low cost of basics like feeding, transport, and learning materials made it manageable.Education at that time was not yet a privilege reserved for the wealthy.

Fast forward to today, and the situation has changed dramatically and drastically. In 2025/2026, school fees in federal universities like UNIBEN, UNILAG, UI, and others have risen significantly. For fresh students at UNIBEN, total charges (depending on faculty) can range from ₦170,000 to ₦190,000 or more, while returning students pay ₦150,000–₦170,000.Accommodation in school hostels,where available, now costs between ₦12,000 (basic) to over ₦100,000 in newer or premium halls. Private hostels,off-campus are even more expensive,often running into tens of thousands monthly when you add electricity, water, and security. In private universities,fees easily climb into hundreds of thousands or millions per session.

This shift has made tertiary education feel increasingly like a luxury for children of the rich.Parents,whether supporting students in federal, state, or private institutions,struggle under the weight of inflation, rising living costs, and stagnant incomes.For a student whose parents are not financially buoyant, the pressure is immense.How do you concentrate on lectures, assignments, or exams when you're worried about the next meal,unpaid hostel fees,or buying handouts and textbooks? Many students miss classes, skip practicals, or battle constant anxiety.

How Financial Hardship Affects Academic Performance, Psychological Well-being, Behaviour, and Overall Experience
Financial stress doesn't just affect the pocket,it ripples into every aspect of student life:

• Academic Performance: Students under financial strain often experience poor concentration, frequent absenteeism,and inability to afford essential materials (textbooks, data for research, or even transport to campus). Studies on Nigerian universities, including at UNIBEN, show that financial worries lead to lower GPAs,missed deadlines, and higher chances of dropping out.

• Behaviour and Vices: When survival becomes the priority, some students turn to negative coping mechanisms:cultism, fraud ("yahoo"), prostitution, theft, or excessive partying,to make quick money. Others withdraw socially or become aggressive.This is not because Nigerian students are inherently wayward, but because the system leaves little room for dignity and focus.

University life, which should be about intellectual growth, friendships, and personal development, becomes a daily survival struggle.The joy of learning is replaced by exhaustion and resentment.

Can Students Still Thrive Academically Despite Pressing Financial Struggles?
Yes, many do,but it is far from easy, and success often requires extraordinary resilience, support systems, and smart strategies.Some students from low-income homes still graduate with strong results through sheer determination, family sacrifices, scholarships, or creative income sources.

Should Students Be Encouraged to Take Up Side Gigs, or Focus Solely on Studies?
This is nuanced.In today's Nigeria, sole focus on studies is ideal but unrealistic for many without strong parental support.Side hustles (popularly called "hustle") have become almost inevitable for survival.

My Balanced View: Students should be encouraged to take up smart, low-time-commitment side hustles that align with their skills and schedule,ideally flexible ones like online freelancing, campus-based tutorials, or digital skills (content creation, Canva design, etc.).
However, academics must remain the priority.The goal should be "study first, hustle strategically", not the other way around.Excessive hustling turns students into part-time workers who merely attend school.
Ultimately, the solution isn't just individual resilience.Nigeria needs deliberate policies: increased education funding, more hostels at affordable rates, and economic stability that reduces the overall cost of living. Education should remain a ladder for social mobility,not a barrier that only the rich can climb.

I would better stop here; Nigeria's problems are just too myriad! We hope to see a better one,someday.Thank you! Hive account@therichking where are you Bro!