Students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) have expressed inconvenience caused by absence of a school hostel in Ogba where the campus is located.
The situation is causing many struggling to cope with the rising cost of transportation. The daily commute to school has become both exhausting and expensive, affecting their academic performance and overall well-being.
A National Diploma student, Adegboro Rebecca, shared with NIJ INSIGHT on Tuesday, March 11 how the lack of a hostel has impacted her education.
According to her, “I live far from school, and getting transport to Agege is a big problem. I often arrive late to class and struggle to catch up on missed lessons. The financial burden is also a major concern. When transport fare is too high, my friends and I try to sit on each other’s laps to save money, but some drivers refuse, saying in Yoruba, ‘Mi o gbe lapping’ (I don’t allow passengers to sit on each other’s laps). If there was a hostel, we wouldn’t have to deal with this stress.”
Another student in ND 1, Fakomi Toluwani, echoed similar frustrations. The stress of commuting has made it difficult for him to keep up with classes, and the rising cost of transportation has forced him to make tough choices.
The fresher said, “Not having a hostel in NIJ has been really tough. I miss morning classes, and it’s affecting my studies. Transport fares keep going up, and some days, like Thursdays when I don’t have lectures, I don’t even come to school because of the cost. It’s hard because I rely on my parents for money.”
Speaking with another ND 1 student, Popoola Janet, it was observed that the financial strain is even greater. Traveling from Ajegunle to school every day costs her ₦3,500, an amount that adds up quickly and becomes overwhelming.
“It’s too much for students to handle. The school should provide a hostel to ease this burden,” she urged.
Newly admitted student Edema Favour also struggles with transportation. Living in Kola, she spends ₦2,000 daily on transport, a cost that takes a toll on both her finances and academic performance.
She complained that, “Traveling to school every day is exhausting. By the time I get home, I’m too tired to study. Transport costs are also a big issue. I miss a lot of classes because of this.”
The situation has left many NIJ students frustrated and concerned about their education. As transport fares continue to rise, some students are forced to skip classes or consider moving to expensive accommodations closer to campus.
However, the management has explained that the reason for no hostel accommodation impinges on the very foundation of the school and reason why the institution was set up.
The demand for a school hostel has never been louder, with students pleading for a solution that will ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on their studies without the constant worry of transportation costs.
For now, students continue to navigate the daily struggle of long commutes and high expenses, hoping that a permanent solution will be provided.
Osaretin Osasere
