Elisha, a student at a public university in Lagos State, returned home during a break looking visibly emaciated, a stark contrast to his previous appearance. His father, a medical worker at a Lagos teaching hospital, was shocked to learn that his son’s diet on campus consisted mostly of bread and beans due to soaring food prices. “Even from afar, I could see how lean he was,” he said. “He told me he mostly ate bread and beans on campus because cooking in the overcrowded hostels was not allowed, and eating substantial meals was a luxury.”
The father’s concerns are echoed across Nigeria as food inflation continues to rise. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that headline inflation in June 2024 was driven largely by food inflation, which reached 40.9% year-on-year. The official exchange rate depreciation, now averaging N1471/$ compared to N769/$ in June 2023, exacerbates the issue, with imported food inflation also spiking.
Students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) are feeling the impact acutely. One 300-level student explained that the cost of snacks and meals has dramatically increased, making it difficult to afford even basic nutrition. “I used to spend N500 on snacks and N1,500 on meals daily. Now, N800 can’t get me a snack and a drink, and the cheapest meal is N1,300,” she said. Another student, Musa, noted that his weekly food expenses have doubled, forcing him to avoid restaurants to save money.
The situation is similar at Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) in Ijanikin, where a scoop of cooked rice now costs N300. “Before, I could manage N4,000 a week, but that’s no longer feasible,” said Elizabeth Emmanuel, a 200-level student. Covenant University students also report significant increases in their daily food budgets, with one student saying his daily spending has doubled to N3,000.
At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), students are struggling to eat enough to stay nourished. Ruka Ibrahim, a 400-level student, noted that students now eat just to survive, not to be satisfied. Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “I spend N3,000 daily on food, up from N1,000, and I’m always hungry and restless.”
The University of Benin (UNIBEN) student Favour Binchang highlighted the support from campus fellowships and family as crucial for coping with food shortages. “I’ve had to go home twice this semester to keep up with food supplies,” she said.
In response to these challenges, universities are taking steps to help. UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola said the institution provides meals for 40 students daily and has increased the number of participants and compensation in the work-study scheme.
Parents and student organizations are calling on the government to take action. Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) suggested extending import waivers for staple foods and temporarily opening land borders to ease food shortages. National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President Lucky Emonefe called for subsidized feeding on campuses and including students in palliative distributions.
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has introduced a scheme to assist students with fees, accommodation, and daily upkeep. Spokesman Nasir Ayitogo emphasized the broad scope of the loan scheme, which aims to make learning more comfortable for students by addressing various financial needs.
With the inflationary pressures showing no signs of abating, students and their families continue to navigate the financial strain, hoping for effective government intervention to alleviate their burdens.
