In Nigeria today, it is not news anymore that the cost of living is rising relentlessly. Nigerians now spend more to get a few things done. Equally, the prices of goods and services have continued to rise daily, yet, the Nigerian government declares publicly everytime their plans to make life easier and better for the common man but the reverse is the case.
For many students, three meals in a day has become a luxury, and balanced diet a rarity. Many students’ favourite food is now usually eaten only on their birthdays or festive occasions because of its high cost. It is not merely a question of coping with the cost of living, but, rather, a matter of struggling to meet the cost of survival. It is true that every student needs good food, clothing, shelter, medicals, transportation etc. but it is unfortunate that only few can afford it because of the continuous rise in the cost of living.
The major effects of high cost of living on Nigerian students is poor physical and mental health caused by malnutrition. Many students have cut down some of their daily needs while some have replaced healthy lifestyles with an unhealthy ones; many students consume junks and run away from fruits, legumes, vegetables, nuts, animal protein etc due to the increase in their prices and many students including lecturers trek to save the cost of transportation.
Major causes of high cost of living are insecurity, corruption, increase in the cost of production and reduction in farm productivity. The Nigerian government should cultivate the act of honesty and integrity and ensure to make life bearable for Nigerians by putting in place strategies for a better Nigeria where agriculture would be practiced freely and without the fear of any form of insecurity of both the lives of agriculturists and farm produce.