Special Report: Students Sacrifice Home for Education Over Fuel Price Surge

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Muhammad Habibat Sani writes

In the heart of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, a prevailing struggle has emerged as students grapple with the dire consequences of soaring petrol prices. What was once a routine journey home has now transformed into a daunting challenge, leaving students torn between their pursuit of education and their longing for family.

On Monday, May 29, President Bola Tinubu announced during his inaugural speech the removal of the petrol subsidy. This decision, aimed at addressing long-standing economic challenges, has caused a surge in fuel prices across the country, 

Since the removal of the subsidy, the cost of public transportation has doubled in many areas. Students who rely on buses to commute to and from the university now face the burden of increased transportation costs. This adds an additional financial strain on their already limited budgets, making it harder for them to meet their educational expenses.

Adamu Hannat, a 300-level microbiology student, is among those students who submitted to stay in school as a result of the high cost of transport. Hailing from Niger State far from the university, she used to visit her family on holidays, eager to share her academic achievements and find solace in her parents' comforting words. However, with the recent petrol hike, Hannat's trip home has become sporadic at best.

"It's heartbreaking," Hannat laments. "I've missed my family and even moments like helping my mother in her shop. The rising fuel prices have confined me to campus, leaving me homesick and disconnected."

Hannat's story echoes throughout the university, where numerous students face the dilemma of choosing between educational pursuits and family ties. 

Adam a 300level Biochemistry student, explains the challenges of navigating this new reality.

"Many of us work part-time jobs during weekends to support our families back home," Adam says. "The petrol price increase has meant that we either quit our jobs or send home much smaller portions of our earnings. It's a tough choice to make, and it's affecting not only our finances but also our emotional well-being."

The effects of the petrol hike extend beyond personal sacrifices. The campus, once bustling with students coming and going, now bears a quieter and more somber atmosphere. The weekly hustle and bustle of students excitedly preparing for their trips home has been replaced with a sense of isolation and longing.

"It's like a part of me is missing," says Shukrat, a  Computer Science student. "I used to eagerly pack my bags, looking forward to reuniting with my family. Now, I find myself scrolling through old photos, reminiscing about the times when petrol was more affordable and life felt simpler."

These students' stories are but a glimpse of the larger narrative unfolding across students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. The fuel price surge, a consequence of global economic dynamics, has forced students to adapt to a new reality, one that tests their resilience and commitment to their education.

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