As schools prepare to resume on September 9, 2024, Nigerian parents are expressing concerns over the escalating costs of tuition, transportation, and basic goods, which are straining household budgets.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, several parents voiced their frustrations about the economic challenges they face. Chimuze Eze, a banker, highlighted that last year’s increases in school-related expenses have persisted into the current year, exacerbated by recent hikes in fuel prices.
“Last year, we saw a rise in school fees and nearly doubled transportation costs. Now, we’re facing the same issues again,” Eze said. “The recent surge in petrol prices will affect transportation, and subsequently, food prices and tuition fees will rise. It’s going to be tough when students head back to school.”
Jessica Nana, a mother of two, lamented the high costs of preparing her children for school. “Things are very hard. I can’t even afford all the necessities my children need for school,” she said. “School fees and transportation costs have surged, and we’re hoping for a decrease in prices to ease the burden.”
Joseph Okoh, a businessman, revealed that he had to transfer his children to a more affordable school to manage his finances better. “I had to make this decision to keep up with other rising costs of living. The high cost of transportation and feeding makes it nearly impossible to provide proper meals,” he explained.
Funmilayo Ade, a resident of Nyanya, shared that the financial strain on parents has become increasingly severe. “No matter how much we save, it’s never enough. We’re struggling to afford everything needed for school resumption, and the recent increase in fuel prices has worsened the situation,” she said.
Ade urged the Federal Government to address the rising fuel prices, which have a significant impact on the overall economy, to alleviate the financial pressure on Nigerian families.