Isioma Osadebe
The price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas has skyrocketed to a record high of Six hundred and fifty nairas per kilogram.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 0.56% from N2,057.71 in March 2021 to N2,069.21 in April 2021, and refilling of 5kg has been heightened to N2,330.
Students lament...
Students of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko(AAUA) who spoke to this reporter lamented the increase in the price of gas especially as it affects their academics and livelihood.
The price has left many students of this University devastated and has posed a major challenge for them.
A 400 level linguistic student, Mighty Josh, revealed that the hike in gas price has made three square meals difficult to achieve.
"As in 2017, when I got to akungba, a kg was sold at #250 which makes a thousand naira to fill about four to five kg. Now it is a burden to get just two kg. it is affecting the academic lives of students, a student that hardly eats often will find it hard to assimilate well during the study"
"This is hunger strike at its peak, the hike in gas price has made me opt for stoves. If it keeps going this way, I’m scared an average student or individual will settle for theft”
Echo Media Editor, Roland Bayode disclosed that the increment is exterminating the life of Nigerian students.
He said, "I think the situation on the ground is worth enough to convince both the deaf and blind that Education in Nigeria is taming the sheet out of our anus. We are in a system that preaches the value of education but that is not supporting the children of the poor."
Roland also narrated that the price of tuition in the school life commodities, with other expenses is making live unbearable for both prudent and imprudent students.
"I remember then when I was in 100l, the gas price was #250 and now it's a different story entirely. How do we explain the fate of students who are still struggling to pay their bills to eat good food and make good grades? In a nutshell, I think things have fallen apart completely."
A 400 level student of the faculty of law, Akinnate Esther, said that the increase in gas has often made some students unable to attend lectures and other students who attend go on with an empty stomach.
"Since gas has become what most students rely on especially in AAUA, some students are affected by the increase in gas price. Students now avoid classes and some who still attend classes go on empty stomachs because they find it difficult to purchase gas for cooking due to its increase. Now imagine, how will such students be active in class? "
A 300 level sociology student, Aduba Oluchi revealed that they now use coal pots and firewood because of the increase in gas price.
“The increment in gas price is not fair on Nigerians with low income, or unemployed. As students, we do not earn money and as such have to manage the little that is given to us by our parents. We also have other things we use the money for and with the way gas is being increased we can’t cope with it, we now use coal pot and firewood.”
Another student, Adewunmi Olamide, a 400 level student of Mass Communication said she's not surprised with the increase and students have to cope.
“The increment in gas price is not so surprising as every other product's price is skyrocketing. The increase in gas will be very hard on students, most not be able to afford to fill their cylinders as supposed thereby leading to hunger, we all need food to survive either we cook or we pay for it; so no matter the increase in the price of gas, I have no choice than to cope with the new price even though I have to limit the way I make use of it. If the price of gas keeps increasing, it will reduce the rate at which it is consumed, but students will still have to buy it only those who use stoves can avoid buying gas.”
Ilawole Kehinde, a 400 level student from the department of political science, also opined that students cannot influence the increase or decrease in price therefore they should adapt to the situation on the ground.
“It is something we can’t control due to the economy of the country, but it’s making life uncomfortable for both students and citizens. Students have to cook to eat or some use it for their business which aids them to pay fees. So it may be unfair to the average student who comes from an average home. Like I said we can’t control this, but we need to adapt or find other means of cooking"
Another Student, Odoh Charity in her notion stated that If the price of gas continues to increase, life will become more difficult for students on campus.
“The increment in the price of gas is not something I am happy about because I will have to spend more money on gas instead of using it for something else. It has affected me a lot because, when initially it was 500 per kg, I can fill 3kg at that price. If the price of gas continues to increase, life will become more difficult for students on campus"
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