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Stifling Economics Policies; Students At The Receiving End

Arguably, the best of definitions comes from within the boundaries of academic settings. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that the true definition of hard time, hardship, or even ‘sapa’ isn’t farfetched when we look at the lives of tertiary institution students. They are the embodiment of the perfect description of this trying time. Little wonder the number of undergraduates present in lecture classes are few these days. Students have opted for alternative options to cater for the increasing school demands and costly life expenses.

Since its inception, this current administration, like the previous ones, has taken the affairs of education lightly. Despite the promise made by the presidency through the Minister of Education, Mamman Tahir on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day that the federal government will increase the education budget by 25%, we are yet to see the tiniest spark of this promise. Just like it is with the students’ loan policy, what this government has done better than anyone is to feed us with promises and place undergraduates on high pedestals of hope.

If economic slaps were the only thing students have had to endure, it could have been better. However, a more worrisome concern is about the state of academic activities in higher institutions. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government's indecision and lack of understanding have further complicated the status of learning across the country. This is evident in the disposition of lecturers to their jobs and students. Not so many lecturers holistically attend to their responsibilities now. Whom other could we blame if not the government? While nationwide protests and strikes are plausible to occur in the coming days, students will again be thrown into a period of vulnerability.

Nigeria’s present economic challenge coupled with inflation has strongly affected students. Financial constraints like the rising costs of goods and services have hindered smooth academic running. Moreover, these challenges has no doubt affected students’ mental well-being, too. Therefore, it is expected that the government look into this in the shortest time possible