LIFE AS A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT: GENESIS AND CHALLENGES SO FAR

Graduating as a secondary school student is a joy on its own to a person. But on the other hand, being offered a provisional admission into the higher institution is an higher moment of joy and happiness one can strongly behold and even always remember. Back then as a child, I always wonder what kind or type of school do people who wear casual dresses go to. Some children are always so hesitant to put on casual dresses to school to school rather than their normal school uniforms just because they want to look like university students, and so did I. I was such a stubborn child that I never wanted to put on the school uniform to school but a casual one. Like my elder siblings will say back then, "You're stubborn, Kingsley is not like you." They always compare my behaviour with my twin's back then. And now I'm all grown up, wearing my casual dresses to classes for lectures. ![pixabaylite_1702243666231.jpg]()

[SOURCE: PIXABAY]

GENESIS
First and foremost, I was given an admission into a university from another state; an entirely different state from my state of residence{Osun State, Nigeria}. I travelled down to Ekiti State within a space of approximately three hours. While the driver arrived at our destination, we all got down tired from the stuff-packed bus. I, my roomie, and both our moms began to offload what seemed like heaven and earth from the bus.
The offloading, unpacking of the goods, foodstuffs and other items or materials for one's wellbeing while in school is where the stress begin for a Nigerian university student. Yes, some students are accompanied by their parents who assist their children or wards because they understand it's their child's or children's first time in the university and so they wouldn't like their wards to take a wrong first step while settling in the university for the very first time. And my parent did exactly that. But, at this point this is where I feel some parents overstay with their child or children because they want to help them adjust to the new environment.
Yes, of course I and my roomie were already feeling uncomfortable because it was already up to three days and still our parents haven't left for their homes.
Taking the next step in my education and also changing my environment was something I had in mind for a long time. But not everyone fancy changing environment, most especially those who have their homes close to the university. They rather eat, sleep and study at their guardian's or parent's house. Some of those who choose this path are the ones who likely find it hard to adapt to a new environment. There's tendency that some of these set of people get ill or affected socially, mentally or even psychologically and which later affect one's academics. Unlike me, I easily adjusted to my new environment, so that my endeavours are expected easily for me too. "Emmanuel hostel" was full with wonderful set of people and so I adjusted easily and peacefully.

CHALLENGES SO FAR

[SOURCE: PIXABAY]

1. LECTURES GETTING CALLED OFF.
   Universities have their school calendar set for themselves and their students, as timetables are also made for students to follow. But for sure, one thing is certain not all Nigerian universities follow their lecture timetable, and my dearest FUOYE(Federal University of Oye-Ekiti) is one of them. I wake up very early in the morning, just to get prepared for the upcoming lecture. As for my lectures, I always get advised by departmental seniors to always get to class as early as possible, and as a fresher, I needed to heed to their advice. Some times I rush to class, because I prepared very late. On getting to class, the lecture gets called off. I remembered asking my very first question as a fresher. "Why should a lecturer call off his lecture for freshers? Our very first lecture in the university." I threw this question to one of the seniors that was present that day and he gave his answers. Most lecturers, up to seventy percent[70%] don't make use of the school timetable. They fix classes at their own convenient time and at the end, they don't still show up.
   That wasn't the only day a lecture got cancelled, number of days also that I can't recall. But the movement from one lecture room to the other and still lectures get called off was so stressful and painful.

2. LIMITED LECTURE ROOMS OR HALLS.
   Also the problem of not being able to see where to make use of for lectures was and is still a challenge I face as a student here in FUOYE. Some universities in Nigeria have limited lecture rooms, halls or makeshifts and my university is a great example of that.
   Years ago, the issue of COVID-19, and a lengthy strike that was held affected universities educational system and so, FUOYE was a victim. Because of the unstable system, the admission of students was increased. And now it is a problem to both the university at large and even to the students. As a fresher back then, I struggled with my course mates walking from pillar to post in a very tiring state just to look for available lecture rooms or one that will occupy a large amount of students. I can recall of a girl who collapsed from trekking from Phase one(the first area of the university) to Phase three(the last area of the university) just in search of a lecture room. Some times, I carry an empty stomach and embark on a gruesome journey in search of lecture rooms. And at the end, in the absence of no lecture room, the lecture get called off. This is the point I get frustrated and pissed off. I remembered snubbing one of my seniors on my way home after going through a lot that very day.

3. THE ISSUE OF BULLYING AND EXTORTION.

[SOURCE: PIXABAY]

Most universities are filled with thugs, hooligans, miscreants, cultists who pose as bonafide students and therefore pose a threat or act a bully to other students. Students face challenges of they being bullied by people around them(other students)(or members of the community - for those who have their hostels outside the university premises) and I was once a victim.
FUOYE is filled with these set of people and like I said I was once a victim. I was returning from class on a very humble day and suddenly I started hearing someone catcalling. Actually I didn't know I was the one whom they were calling. It seemed like I was ignoring them and so they rushed down to me and one with a very thick voice said, "You no hear say we they call you, or you want make I daze you one portion now." As a fresher then, I was scared, but I comforted myself in their presence. The other guy(as they were two) threatened on collecting my phone, until he was stopped my his other guy. They asked me to give them some change(money) but I concluded on not having any on me, even in my bank account, because they also insisted at a point that I must make a transfer of the sum of two thousand naira. After a long conversation, we departed on good terms which was surprising to me, but on completing my journey back to my hostel, I increased my walk speed so that I might not get called again suddenly. In some situations, there have also been the issues of deaths of students which have caused a lot of stir in universities that such happened and issues like this have been traced to be actions mostly from bullies, hooligans, cultists and people in that circle. Therefore, the lack of security has been a challenge for some Nigerian university students.

In most Nigerian universities, students face these challenges and it's solely because of the kind of country they see themselves in. That is why my parents will always call to remind me of their advice to always pray, study hard so I can graduate with good grades, because like they'll always say, "You know you are in a tough country."