Student Price Trap: How Campus Retailers Inflate the Cost of Everyday Food

A cup of garri that sells for ₦350 at the Ado market costs ₦1,200 in the retail stores where students of Ekiti State University buy their food. That is a 243 percent markup — on one of the cheapest staples in Nigeria. For thousands of students in Ekiti State, this is not an exception, it is a daily reality.

Across many Nigerian university campuses, students are increasingly grappling with the rising cost of basic food items, with many accusing campus retailers of exploiting their limited options to inflate prices. 

At the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) and Ekiti state University(EKSU), students say the cost of everyday essentials—ranging from bread and noodles to rice and beverages, has surged beyond what is obtainable in nearby town markets. With tight academic schedules and limited mobility, many students feel trapped into purchasing overpriced goods within campus premises.

On the other hand, retailers  justify the price difference to the cost of transportation, rent and other costs in getting those goods. From a survey conducted on FUOYE and EKSU students, 57% buy from retail stores regularly while only 27% are able to buy from the market. This shows that most students are absorbing inflation by default.

Across every product category and both institutions, retail stores in student areas charge significantly more than open markets with markups ranging from 25% to 243%. 

Adewusi Oluwanifemi, a 200 level student in EKSU, said “Rice is ₦2,500–₦3,000 near school and ₦2,200 at market” Also, James Esther, a 200 level student in FUOYE, added “Rice price difference is up to ₦500”.

From the scope of the retail sellers, they say the cost of transportation of moving the goods from the mark to their store is high and the prices from the market itself has heightened.

A food vendor who simply identified herself as Ngozi, said “we increase our food prices because of the cost of goods from the market.”

A meat seller identified as Abayomi at Oye Market, explained that traders often have to increase their prices due to multiple economic pressures. According to him, the rising cost of transportation significantly affects the prices of goods. He added that many market traders rely on loans to sustain their businesses, and in order to repay these loans, they are compelled to raise prices. 

He further noted that the lack of adequate government support worsens the situation. He appealed to the government to provide assistance to traders, stating that such support could help stabilize prices. Mr Abayomi also suggested that authorities could establish a task force to ensure compliance with fair pricing if necessary.

Similarly, another trader in Oye Market identified as Oguntade, attributed the increase in food prices to the rising cost of transportation. She explained that transport fares have recently gone up, noting that when she visited the market just two days ago, she observed a significant increase. As a result, she said traders have no option but to adjust their prices to reflect these added costs.

While transportation and inflation clearly contribute to rising prices, students said the wide variation in markups suggests that convenience may be allowing some sellers to charge far beyond actual costs.

This report is a collaborative piece done by Aderemi Peter, Jimoh Aishat, Glory Adelowo, Adeoye Mercy, Akinola Habib, Ogunyemi peace and Awe Esther. Other group members are Ayodele Ezekiel, ⁠Achimugwu peace, Omoyele Victor Iseoluwa, Afolabi Kanyisola and Adewusi Oluwanifemi for the Next-Gen Campus Reporter Clinic at FUOYE Campus, Ekiti State.