By Aliyu Adamu Toro
Students In Nigerian Tertiary Institutions are struggling with the high cost of food and transportation fares which have a significant impact on their education.
An incident occurred last month in Katsina State, where some students of Federal University, Dutsin-ma, were spotted on top of fuel tanker because there was no school bus to take them to the permanent site of the university which is 24 kilometers out of the town.
Transportation costs have become significant burden for students, In Bauchi State, it will cost nothing less than ₦2,000 to travel to and fro from Bauchi Town to ATBU Gubi permanent site, as well as for those going to State University,Yuli campus. With this high cost of transport, how many students can afford it on a daily basis?
The cost of Foodsuffs has skyrocketd in the past years making it difficult for student to afford 3 square meals in a day, pack of spaghetti that used to cost ₦4,000 now costs over ₦18,000, A cup of garri that used to cost ₦300 now costs ₦1000.
Many have to withdraw because of high cost of upkeep. Most students come from low income background and rely on their parents or guardians for financial support.
To address these challenges the government must subsidize food and transport fares by providing subsidized meals in school cafeteria, grant financial support to students from low income background, provide transportation system that is affordable and reliable, partner with private organization to subsidize food and transportation.
I hope with these, the Government will reduce the rate of dropout and financial constraints among the student.
Aliyu, is 200 Level student in ATBU
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
