Silent Suffering: Hidden Battles of Nigerian Female Students Amid Rising Cost of Living

In Kashere, a quiet rural town in Gombe State, hundreds of female students at Federal University Kashere (FUK) are not just pursuing education, they are fighting daily battles to survive.

From high food prices, unaffordable transportation, and increasing rent to the silent pressures of keeping up appearances, many young women are caught between academic dreams and financial desperation. The cost of living in and around the university has surged, forcing students, especially those from low income homes, to adopt different and sometimes risky means of survival.

For many, survival now means doing small businesses like hair plaiting, selling thrift clothes or snacks, and even skipping meals to stretch meager allowances. But others are taking more emotionally and morally complex paths.

A year two student who simply identified herself as Aisha, revealed that she sometimes goes hungry to prioritise her studies, sacrificing meals to save money for essential academic expenses, leaving her feeling torn between education and survival.

“Sometimes I go to bed without food because I need to save the little I have for assignments or printing,” she said. “I feel like I’m always choosing between school and survival.”

In the corners of hostel rooms, off-campus lodges, lecture halls, and WhatsApp statuses, another coping mechanism is quietly emerging, transactional relationships, commonly referred to as “hook-ups.” While some said they now perform “wife duties” such as cooking, washing, cleaning, or even spending nights at their boyfriends residence in exchange for money, others go further, juggling multiple relationships for financial support.

Similarly, a newly admitted student added that she visits her boyfriend every weekend. “I wash his clothes, clean his room, cook, and in return he gives me money for my needs. It’s like being a wife in school.”

Though not all female students engage in these arrangements, the number is growing as a result of peer pressure, social media expectations, and lack of institutional or family support. 

However, the emotional toll is heavy. Students report feelings of guilt, secrecy, and regret. Some become emotionally attached to partners who don’t genuinely care for them, leading to heartbreak, betrayal, or unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted infections.

“Sometimes I cry after leaving his house,” one girl confessed. “I feel like I’m losing myself just to survive.”

This trend reflects a deeper problem, students are not seeking pleasure or luxury; they are struggling to survive. Without support structures like counseling, financial aid, or female empowerment programmes, many students will be left to continue to suffer. 

The high cost of living is exacerbating existing inequalities, with students from low-income backgrounds facing even greater challenges. 

To mitigate the effects of the high cost of living on students, policymakers and educational institutions must take several steps, including implementing student-friendly policies, increasing access to financial assistance, and promoting financial literacy among students.

Ultimately, addressing the high cost of living and its impact on students requires a comprehensive approach that involves government intervention, institutional support, and community engagement. By prioritizing students’ needs and well-being, authorities can create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment that fosters academic success and personal growth.