Food prices in Nigeria keep rising, especially for staple grains and groceries. This increase is particularly tough on students who already have other expenses to handle while in school.
To cope, students can learn a skill or take up part-time jobs to earn extra income. But another practical option is growing some of their own food. Even a small backyard or home garden can provide fresh produce, helping cut food costs.
Of course, not everyone is naturally good at farming or being a green thumb, but with basic knowledge, students can still benefit from growing a few crops for personal use.
WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that food inflation in January 2025 was 26.08% year-on-year, dropping from 39.84% in December 2024.
While this might seem like a positive change, students aren’t really feeling the impact when buying groceries. In major markets like Mile 12 in Lagos, staple foods still come at steep prices.
After a window shopping on Wednesday, February 26, it was observed that a 50-kg bag of rice now sells for ₦110,000–₦120,000, while a single tuber of yam costs between ₦6,000 and ₦8,000, depending on the season. A basket of tomatoes has jumped to ₦18,000, and a 5-litre bottle of vegetable oil is around ₦20,000.
Eating out isn’t any cheaper. After visiting some mid-range restaurants in Ogba, it was observed that a plate of Jollof Rice with Chicken costs ₦8,000–₦10,000. Even on campus at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, you’d need at least ₦2,000 for a decent meal.
With limited budgets, many students struggle to afford healthy meals. Some rely on food vendors outside campus, but these options are not always the most nutritious or affordable.
HOW CAN STUDENTS PRACTICE SUBSISTENT FARMING
Even with little space, you can grow useful crops in your backyard, in containers, or on your balcony. Here are some food crops that are cheap to grow, easy to maintain, and can provide food in a few months:
1. Maize (Corn)
Dig small holes in a garden or a large pot and plant maize seeds. Water often, especially in dry weather. Maize grows best in the rainy season (April – July). Harvest when cobs are full and kernels are yellow. However, things haven’t been exactly cheap with growing corn. In the video below, market women who are in the business explain the breakdown:
2. Tomatoes
The cost is between ₦500 and ₦10,000 for seeds or seedlings, depending on where you buy them and the quantity. Also, expect to spend less than ₦20,000 for basic soil and fertilizer. It takes between 2 and 3 months to consider harvest.
Get tomato seeds from a local market or agro shop. Plant the seeds in small containers with good soil. After 2-3 weeks, transfer the seedlings to bigger pots or garden soil. Water regularly and place in a sunny area. Harvest when the tomatoes turn red. You can learn more about the nitty-gritty on YouTube or online farming blogs.
3. Pepper (Chili or Bell Pepper)
The cost to start is between ₦500 and ₦1,500 for seeds, and harvest time is 3 to 4 months. Plant seeds in small cups with soil and keep moist. After 4 weeks, transplant into larger pots or the ground. Water every 2 days, keep in a sunny spot, and pick when firm and colorful.
4. Ugu (Fluted Pumpkin Leaves)
The price of seeds to plant Ugu leaves is not fixed. It depends on where you buy them, but you won’t spend up to 5,000, depending on the quantity. The good thing about growing Ugu is that it cuts your cost on soup ingredients, and the time to harvest is 1 to 2 months for leaves and 6 months for seeds.
Plant seeds directly in soil or a large container. Water regularly and provide support (like sticks) for the vines to climb. After a month, start harvesting fresh leaves.
5. Okra
If grown well, you can get Okra seeds for even ₦1,000, and in 2 to 3 months, you can expect a harvest. You have to plant directly in the soil. Water is taken daily and placed in a sunny location. Harvest the pods when they are about 5 inches long.
7. Sweet Potatoes
Not everybody can grow sweet potatoes successfully, especially with the growing condition requirement. The cost to start is between ₦500 and ₦1,500 for vines. Get sweet potato vines from a market or farm. Plant in soft, well-drained soil and water every few days. Harvest when the leaves start turning yellow.
There are still many crops you can grow in your house or in a separate farm. And there’s so much students can learn from watching YouTube videos about small-scale agriculture.
If you are a beginner, start with tomatoes, peppers, or scent leaves before trying bigger crops. If you don’t have land, grow crops using buckets, sacks, or old tires. You can also join online farming groups: Facebook groups like “Backyard Farming in Nigeria” can help with advice.
CROPS THAT ARE DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS TO GROW
While some crops are great for small spaces, others require large farmland, long growth periods, or special conditions
For example, yam needs a lot of space and takes up to 6 months before you begin to see progress. Similarly, rice requires flooded fields, which are hard to manage at home. Even cashews/nuts take years to mature. So it’s important to choose the crop you grow wisely.
Meanwhile, universities have a role to play. Extracurricular activities can be set up to organise workshops and training sessions on sustainable agriculture practices. Campus farms or gardens can also provide students with hands-on experience.
