Students are battling to cope with the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government. They noted that it has led to high price of some other commodities. Thus, they want the government to mitigate the effects of the removal. RASHEED ALADEJANA (AAUA) and PRECIOUS AKINTULUBO (OOU) report.
In his inauguration speech, President Bola Tinubu said: “fuel subsidy is gone”. It immediately took effect with queues at petrol stations in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos and others.
However, students nationwide expressed their frustration with the increase in transportation fares and prices of commodities due to the rise in petrol pump prices. They said they didn’t prepare for high fares with the economy not looking good.
Manuwa Shola, a 300-Level Mass Communication student at the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, said the hike in the price of fuel had affected not only transport fares but other commodities.
“The price of fuel, we all know in Nigeria dictates and controls the price at which a commodity is to be sold because every commodity will be transported to the market or locations where those who need them will get them,” he said.
He said the price of fuel is what every other commodities rest on and when there is a hike in the price of fuel, there will be a hike in other goods in the market.
Another AAUA student, Ibitola Adegboyega said the removal of fuel subsidy has made life hard for students.
He said since there is an increase in the price of fuel, the price of shuttle on campus to different lecture theatres has increased from N50 to N100.
“The Federal Government might have good intentions for the removal of petrol subsidy but it is too sudden and not the right time for us as masses.
“Shuttle price on campus was N50 when the announcement of the removal of subsidy was not yet made, but immediately it was announced, the price increased from N50 to N100,” he added.
Akinyemi Victor, a 300-Level Mechanical Engineering student at Ekiti State University(EKSU) said since the hike in price of fuel, it has slowed down the pace of lectures. He said it affects students and lecturers too.
He said the amount he normally spends on transportation had doubled from what it used to be and it is really hard for students on campus.
“It’s very hard. I spend N400 to and fro everyday to enter school for lecture previously. Now it’s doubled, N800 to and fro. Some lecturers even find it difficult to come to class.
“We’ve been in school since 8am on Thursday, we’ve three lectures. None of the lecturers came, why? They all complained of hike in fuel. It’s really hard for me and every other student. You see students with cars going to class with bikes.
” I think subsidy removal is a good move but the timing is wrong,” he added.
Oluwagbenga Ajayi, a 300-Level student of Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta(FUNAAB) said many students find it hard to adapt to the new change because of the increase in fare.
“The hike in price has really affected lots of students on campus.
One way is that most students find it hard to go to school daily since there has been increased transportation cost and many have not been able to adapt to the change in prices.
“I now spend quite a lot on transportation almost twice what I used to spend.
“The speech of the President was made not long ago, but we saw it taking effect even though it should start by the end of June and this thing has caused many other things in the market to go up,” he said.
Omolade Gbemisola , a 400-Level student at Tai Solarin University of Education(TASUED), Ijagun,Ogun State,said: ” I have been significantly affected by the rise in fuel price, which has greatly impacted my daily life. The increased cost of transportation has made it increasingly difficult for me to commute from my home( hostel) to my teaching practice centre.
“This situation has put a strain on my limited student budget, leading to instances where I have had to pay double the usual fare, such as paying N200 for a N100 bike ride due to the fuel price hike.
“Despite the challenging situation, I am determined to find strategies to cope with the current situation. Firstly, I am exploring the option of temporarily staying at a friend’s place closer to my teaching practice centre, which would reduce my daily transportation expenses to N200 instead of N400.
“Secondly, I will be more mindful of my purchases and carefully consider my destinations to avoid unnecessary spending.
“Regarding the administration of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I strongly recommend that the government prioritise the well-being of its citizens and ensure that the transition to a subsidy-free system is manageable for all stakeholders involved.
“Furthermore, I suggest that the government adopt a phased and gradual approach to reducing subsidies, allowing citizens, including students, to adapt and find alternative solutions.”
Uyemhi Queen-Ann, a 400-Level student at University of Port Harcourt(UNIPORT), said: “I come from home, and with the hike, planning my fare to school is really distorted. It is the most frustrating feeling. At the moment, it is hard to talk about coping. As adjustments come, adapting happens.
“There should be enforcement on a certain level of fuel price despite the removal of subsidy. Marketers are making it difficult for people to access this, and it is unfair. Subsidy removal isn’t the issue; it is the marketers and distributors of this that make it hard and invariably, the scarcity of fuel will affect the selling price.”
Omolabake Salako, a 500-Level Nursing student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, said: “The rate of inflation was somewhat unexpected. For instance, travelling back to school was overwhelming, as there were less vehicles to convey passengers and the fares were almost twice their original prices. Also, living in a student area makes the situation worse, as original inflated prices have become super-inflated. It’s hard being a student with little financial support in these times.
“There’s really no choice but to cope and survive. You have only a single choice during a crisis such as this in Nigeria– adapting to survive. I have chosen to adapt, in high hope that things will become better soonest.
” The removal of fuel subsidy doesn’t in any way improve the lives of the masses, it simply impoverishes them and ultimately leads to both financial and mental exhaustion. So, the subsidy should be suspended till better solutions are created and implemented.”
For Adejumo Itunuoluwa Blessing, a 300-Level Accounting student at University of Ilorin(UNILORIN), she has been affected in multiple ways.
She said: “Prices of goods have increased ridiculously. Transport fare is becoming overbearing. A place I would board bike at N100 is now double the price. Talk of transport fare to school, it has increased and the sitting conditions are so unbearable. The N20,000 I collect for foodstuff normally can only buy half of what I’m supposed to buy. Going to school everyday as a student now requires a lot of thinking because of the increase. I’ve really been adversely affected. It should be suspended for now.”
Adeleke Nimotallahi Idera, a HND 2 Banking and Finance student at Federal Polytechnic Kaduna( Kadpoly), said : “I am seriously affected because normal price of transportation has tripled. I manage myself though, before going for lecture I do call my class representative to confirm if the lecture will hold because I don’t want to waste money and getting to school the lecturer will not be available. The subsidy should end because it is not easy for us students.”
Paul Olagbegi Oluwasegun, a 200-Level UNILORIN student, said: “I’m just hoping that the price is regulated and everything can return to business-as-usual. Other than this, I will say an average Nigerian is now able to adapt to any “sudden hardships” in certain sectors of our economy and society and as such everyone has personal coping mechanisms.
“I think the removal of fuel subsidy is for the good of all Nigerians as this will help in building and focusing on other sectors of the economy at large.
“Government and the NNPCL should enforce fuel price regulations to curb the tendencies of our local fuel stations from going overboard in fixing of prices.
For Ariel Cyril, a 400-Level student at University of Jos(UNIJOS), government should consider suspending it and improve on minimum wage.
His words: “I’ve been affected by the subsidy removal and the hike in fare that followed suit. I stay off campus and I pay double the previous amount to get to school. Coping with the situation is not easy, but one has to find a means. In doing so, I’m more cautious of my spending and also working on myself to get an extra source of income as well.
“Government should try to improve the lives of the citizens; let actions and decisions it takes be to the best interest of the citizens and in doing so, they should put into consideration the great fraction of Nigerians living below the poverty line.
“Suspending the subsidy in the meantime and giving ample time for the people to prepare and gradual removal of the subsidy will be better. The government should also improve on the minimum wage.”
Adedokun Mazeedat, another TASUED student said: “I am undergoing my teaching practice which makes it compulsory for me to make use of public transport from Monday to Friday. Of course, there’s no other alternative to take than to take a bus despite the hike in fare.
“Transportation and charging of mobiles are eating up larger part of my income.
“In a situation like this, I have to just set apart more money on transportation, be cautious of reckless spending, do more of trekking to attain destination(indeed a typical student life) and try buying things in bulk.
“The government should make sure there is a decrease in price of commodities. Policymakers should help citizens cope with the effects.”
Daniel Oluwafunmilola Gabriel, a student at Lagos State University (LASU), said: “As a student, the removal of fuel subsidy has really affected me because drivers have inflated fare. There is no day I don’t go late to class all because of the fuel price hike. There is no way I can cope at all.”
Peter Emmanuel, a 300-Level student at AAUA, said: “The fuel price hike has affected me because I have to forfeit some of my classes. My movement has been restricted because I can’t go out freely as usual anymore. Despite the hike, we don’t have electricity and we need to charge our gadgets, now charging centres have increased their fees.
“I doubt if students like me will cope because of this hot weather, but we shall survive as we did during naira scarcity months ago.”
Agbeleye Mercy Oluwarantimi, a 400-Level Biology student at Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA), said: “The aspect that affects me the most is the hike in transport price which has also led to an increase in goods and services.Transportation now costs twice the normal price likewise goods.
This is so painful for me as a student who fends for herself. Now, I have to consider how important a lecture is before I attend.I have decided to reduce my food to twice a day and also trek once or twice to class to reduce my cost of living.”
Food vendor, driver not left out
A food vendor in Akungba-Akoko, Mrs. Alonge Idowu said she had to raise the price of her food due to the increase in transportation costs. The cost of foodstuff in the market has also risen, and she has had to spend more on getting ingredients.
”It has not been easy. Our customers are also complaining. In fact, some of them have stopped patronising us.
”There is no food for N500 now. I can’t blame them because people don’t have enough money to move around, not to mention buying food.”
A commercial vehicle driver who takes passengers from Ikare to Akungba, Mr. Aliu Kazeem, stated that the rise in fare is not the fault of transport operators. He noted that motorists in Akungba and neighbouring communities buy petrol between N500 and N700 per litre.
“You should check it yourself now. Cost of transportation has to go up too. And we the drivers union are working to ensure that the price will not affect the passengers because we don’t want them to suffer,” he said.
END.
