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Coping Strategies: How Nigerian students bet, skip classes, work side jobs to survive in school

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Nigerian students in tertiary institutions face intense financial pressure as their allowances no longer last through the semester, forcing them to adopt coping strategies to survive, including skipping meals and gambling.

Most students receive allowances or stipends mainly from their parents or guardians, while others fend for themselves through hustles.

However, the main challenge remains that these allowances are no longer enough to cover their expenses throughout the semester. This effect has affected students academically, healthwise, and in their daily lives.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the overall inflation rate rose to 19.93 per cent in May, while food inflation increased to 16.93 per cent.

The figures show that the prices of food commodities and other consumer goods have risen, which students in schools depend heavily on.

Jasini Samuel Mamza, a 400-level Mass Communication student at Veritas University, Abuja, receives N60,000 from his parents every two weeks, which is still not enough to cover his personal expenses before the end of the semester.

Mr Mamza said, “I try my best to manage my expenses by reducing unnecessary spending, and in tough times, I place bets on a betting site for a particular team to win a game, or I just place a call for support from family or friends.

“The second semester is usually the longest and is always difficult for students to cope with because of the long school schedule of  several school activities that require money.”

Uwah Chigozie, a Statistics student at the University of Jos, said he lives off campus and works a side job, putting in longer hours to meet his weekly feeding allowance of N50,000, and added that he works more hours to cover unexpected expenses when his allowance runs out.

“I work at Terminus, so I just double my hustle, and I’m barely out of funds,” Mr Uwah said, adding that side hustles have not affected his studies.

Gwangbyen Esther Joro, a first-year student at the University of Jos, said she lives off campus on a monthly budget of N15,000 to N20,000, which often does not last because of personal expenses, including hair care and other essentials.

“As a girl, I have extra expenses like making my hair and buying personal items. When it runs out, I usually go back home or call my parents to ask for extra money,” Ms Joro said.

Bulus Nissi, a Business Administration student at Kaduna State University, lives off campus like Mr Chigozie but manages a tighter weekly feeding budget of N15,000 to N20,000 and relies on his parents for financial support whenever his allowance is exhausted.

“Most times, I call home, explain, or go into one of these betting platforms to place a bet on sports, and getting a job as a student is difficult because no one would employ someone who only comes in when free,” Mr Bulus said.

He added that it has affected his performance and daily activities, as he misses “vital classes and school activities” because he receives his allowance late.

Noel Kaslong, a Cyber Security student at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna, said his savings have become his means of survival on campus whenever he receives N13,000 weekly from his parents.

He said he misses classes just to cook meals in his hostel.

“I skip class because I don’t want to spend over 2,000 on food that won’t satisfy me. I prefer cooking in my hostel instead of buying food in school,” Mr Kaslong explained.

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Aminu Kano hospital introduces IVF service for childless couples

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The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) has recorded a major milestone with the introduction of In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) service provision to restore hopes of childless couples.

The milestone was recorded by a team of the hospital’s assisted reproductive health technology and others.

The Chief Consultant Gynaecologist and IVF Specialist at AKTH, Dr Ibrahim Rais, disclosed this in a video shared on the hospital’s official Facebook page.

Mr Rais said the team collected eggs from two women, while semen samples were also collected from their husbands for the next stage of the IVF procedure.

“Today marks a great milestone in the history of AKTH and the IVF service provision in the institution.

“The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, CMD, Abdulrahman Sheshe and his team has been working assiduously and today we have achieved this great milestone of the first egg collection in this institution.

“We have collected eggs from two women and also collected semen samples from their husbands. The eggs collected will be fertilised with their husbands’ sperm and we hope to achieve success.

“We are going to continue the service provision with three more patients and then we cap it up on Sunday with the last patient,” he said.

Mr Rais said commencement of the service would bring the service close to the population and restore hope among couples suffering from infertility.

“It is also important to note that starting IVF services in AKTH has been a very important development because the center will form one of points for service provision to the teeming population needing IVF services.

“It will form a centre of excellence for training in the field of Obstetric and Gynaecologist and Reproductive medicine.

“We have extracted more than a dozen eggs for now. Embryologists are working assiduously to ensure that there is fertilisation by sperm of the patients that had the procedure.

“We will go on to get more eggs that will generate more embryos and translate to potential more Nigerians,” Mr Rais said.

Similarly, the hospital in a statement on its official handle, said the milestone was achieved through the collaborative efforts of AKTH staff, specialist reproductive health experts from Jos and Abuja, and two embryologists.

It described the development as a significant step towards expanding advanced fertility services and bringing hope closer to residents.

Meanwhile, the hospital congratulated the the AKTH team for attaining the feat.

(NAN)

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Nigerian Trio Take Major Step as Buruj Football Academy Secures UK Trial Opportunities

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Three promising Nigerian youngsters — Raheem Moyinoluwa Salaudeen, Fawas Ayomide Adeleke and Jacob Obiora Iyida — are taking another important step in their football development after being registered for trial opportunities in the United Kingdom.

The trio, who are associated with Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy, will have the opportunity to experience football in a different environment while testing themselves against talented players in the UK.

Read Also: “When We Honour Our Legends, We Invest in the Future” — SSA Adeboye Commends Ex-Internationals Cup

The registration is part of Buruj’s wider commitment to creating international pathways for young Nigerian footballers and providing them with opportunities to gain exposure beyond the domestic football system.

For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the UK opportunity represents more than simply a football trial. It is a chance to learn, adapt and understand the demands of playing in a different football culture.

The three youngsters have continued to show commitment and determination throughout their development, and their latest opportunity provides another platform to showcase the qualities they have developed through their time in Nigeria.

Speaking about the opportunity, Raheem Salaudeen said:

“This is a big opportunity for us and we are grateful to everyone who has supported our journey. We want to go there, learn as much as possible, compete with confidence and show what Nigerian young players can do.”

Fawas Adeleke also expressed his determination to make the most of the experience:

“I see this as an opportunity to improve myself and understand a different style of football. I want to work hard, listen to the coaches and make every opportunity count. Hopefully, this will open another door for my career.”

For Jacob Obiora Iyida, the focus is equally clear — continue learning, gaining experience and taking another step towards his professional ambitions.

“I’m excited about the opportunity because playing outside Nigeria has always been one of my goals. I know there is a lot to learn, so I want to stay focused, work hard and show my best whenever I get the chance.”

Buruj Football Club and Buruj Sports Academy believe international exposure can play a significant role in the development of young footballers, allowing them to experience different coaching philosophies, tactical approaches and football cultures.

The academy’s development philosophy also places emphasis on education and personal development, ensuring that young players are prepared not only for possible professional careers but also for life beyond football.

The UK trip therefore represents another stage in a broader development pathway designed to help Nigerian youngsters build confidence, experience and international connections.

For Raheem, Fawas and Jacob, the message is simple: the opportunity has arrived, and now it is time to make it count.

From Nigeria to the United Kingdom, another chapter begins—with bigger dreams ahead.

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