Rising Fuel Prices Disrupt Academic Activities for Nigerian Students

From missed lectures to long treks, rising fuel prices are forcing Nigerian students to rethink how they get to class, as transportation costs surge across university campuses. 

Students who spoke with Campus Reporter said the surge in transport costs has led to missed classes, lateness, increased stress, and inability to meet  basic  needs.  

At Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) a bus ride from school junction to phase 1 has risen  from N200, to N300, while  fares from phase 2 and 3 have also increased by N50. 

The recent hike in fuel prices has been linked to global tensions involving the United States, Iran and Israel, which escalated in late February 2026. Before this crisis petrol sold for between N890 and N900 per liter. 

A 400-level student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Hassan Ismail Adekunle, said the impact has been severe.

“Before, I spent about N15,000 per month, but now it’s nothing less than N30,000. This is really affecting different aspects of my life,” he said.

Similarly, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Oyeleke Joel, said the increase has made daily life more difficult.

“There is a hike in transport fares on campus, and daily activities have become more hectic. It has also affected the price of food to a large extent,” he said.

Despite Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest crude oil producer, prices have continued to rise.  BBC reported that Dangote Petroleum Refinery, petrol increased from N1,175 to N1,245 per litre on March 21, while pump prices across the country now range between N1,250 and N1,500. 

Findings by Campus Reporter based on 61 students across Nigerian universities, indicate that students spend between N10,000 to N20,000 monthly on transportation.

As costs rise students are switching their mode of transportation, many resorting to trekking to reduce expenses. 

A 100-level student of University of Jos, Kyrian Ugwuez,  said his daily expenses have risen significantly.

“I used to spend at most N800 daily, but now I spend N1,200. It’s really frustrating,” he said.

Beyond transportation, students say the rising cost of living is affecting feeding, accommodation, and access to learning materials, with many describing the impact on their academic performance as severe.

A campus journalist at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Abdulmumeen Zubair, said the situation has also limited extracurricular opportunities.“There’s an internship I’m supposed to attend, but due to the increase in fuel prices, I can’t afford to go,” he said.

A shuttle driver at FUOYE, who asked not to be named, said transport fares have increased due to higher fuel prices and rising maintenance costs. He added that as more students resort to trekking, those who still rely on buses often face long waiting times.

Deeper Impact

A lecturer in the Science Education Department at Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Bamidele Aremu, said rising fuel prices could have serious implications for access to education if not addressed.

“If petrol prices rise to N1,500 per litre, students may be forced to choose between basic survival and attending classes,” he said, warning that the situation could increase absenteeism and dropout rates.

He urged the government and university authorities to introduce targeted support measures, including subsidised transport, bursaries, and flexible learning options. He also suggested expanding student accommodation to reduce commuting costs.

Relieving Students

Some institutions, however, have introduced measures to ease the burden. At Gateway ICT Polytechnic, the Students’ Union Government has provided buses at subsidised rates.

A HND II student, Idinye Eweha Favour, said the initiative has reduced her transport costs.

“I used to take a bike for about N500, but now I pay N300 with the school bus. It’s more affordable, even though there’s usually just one bus per area,” she said.

As fuel prices continue to rise, students say they hope both school authorities and the government will introduce more measures to ease the burden and support their academic pursuits.