Inflation vs You on OAU Campus

         Oyinlade Adeyemi

Across the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife campus, the increasing cost of living on campus is no longer just an abstract economic concept, rather, it has become an unavoidable aspect of the students’ daily lives, dictating the choices they must make to survive each day. However, to what extent does it affect their food choices, transportation, welfare, and overall survival?

 To understand this reality and in order to have a well-rounded perspective as to why “on-campus” cost of living remains super-expensive, the ICONS correspondent engaged with both traders and students in an interview to this effect. Meanwhile, repeated attempts to speak with the Students’Union Welfare Director were unsuccessful, leaving students’ questions on official welfare support unanswered for now.

The interviews conducted with the women at the OAU New Market uncover deeper aspects of their struggles, as they did not hold back in explaining their situations.

Mrs Bose, a provision seller, spoke about the seller's burdens, especially as the new year draws near—”everything is now expensive, there’s no single item here that hasn't gone up in price.’’

She further explained that her pricing decisions are not made on Impulse, but influenced by the rising cost of supplies and transport.

‘Students complain, but I try to explain to them that things are now very costly. I can say for sure that prices of items are unlikely to reduce, it will continue to rise as operating expenses multiply for sellers.’— she added

 Mrs. Olowoeye (Mummy Fola), another trader in the market, also affirmed; ‘Inflation hits beyond food items. It is what I buy that I sell, and if the price decreases after I buy it, then, it is a loss, and if it increases, I would also increase my price.’

She further revealed that her pricing decisions are also affected by the cost of transportation and other expenses, noting that prices are expected to rise even more, before the Christmas celebration. Mrs Olowoeye also observed that many students are unaware of the existence of the central and new campus markets.  

Students’ views on the pricing system on campus items.

Students across campus shared how inflation is affecting their daily lives, from meals to transport, and even academic focus.

Ajayi Tolani, a Part 3 student from the Department of Science and Technology Education explained; ‘Inflation has made my daily spending higher, and I now budget more strictly. Food items, transport, and manuals have become the most expensive. I cook more at home and eat out far less. Transport, manuals, and essentials now take a bigger part of my allowance. Many vendors increase prices too often, so I don’t really feel they are fair, and I’m not fully satisfied with the Union’s efforts, though I know they are trying their best.'

Tolani added that financial stress sometimes affects her concentration and mood. To cope, she plans meals carefully, buys in bulk, tracks spending, and avoids unnecessary costs. Her wish for the Union and management includes subsidies on food and reduced transport fares.

Adedoyin Oguntade, a final-year Literature-in-English student, shared a different perspective: ‘Inflation has impacted my spending, making it challenging to buy items that are not strictly essential but still important. I cook only once a day and rely on snacks for the rest of my meals. Transport fares remain stable, and I have managed to reduce costs on daily essentials. While some vendors offer fair prices, others do not. I haven’t seen much action from the Students’ Union regarding price regulation, so I’m uncertain about their effectiveness.’

Sharing her experiences, Bolaji Eniola, a first-year student in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, shared the challenges of adjusting to campus life.

 ‘Inflation has changed the way I spend money. I used to spend freely at home, but now, I have to cut back on almost everything. Sometimes, I can't even buy what I want because I need to prioritise my essentials.

Transportation takes up a significant portion of my budget. I cook most of my meals because I can't afford to eat out. My academic focus hasn’t been affected yet, but I can feel the pressure on my mental health. I've learned to manage my resources, but the high cost of accommodation off-campus is shocking. If something could be done about rents off campus, it would greatly help students.’

Coping Mechanisms and General Insights

Some of the survival mechanisms devised by OAU students are; cooking in groups, buying in bulk, reducing portion sizes, and opting for cheaper alternatives whenever possible. Meanwhile, vendors are raising their prices to accommodate increasing costs, leaving both parties in a continuous struggle.

 The inflation situation at OAU presents a complex challenge, students are seeking affordability, vendors are working to survive and the students’ Union is expected to act as a mediator between the two groups. Although the Welfare director could not provide comments for this report, yet, the reality is clear; everyone is experiencing financial strain and no single solution has emerged yet.

Until collective solutions via the provision of a price list emerge, Great Ife Students will continue to navigate the rising cost of living and carefully consider every purchase they make.