Effects of Covid-19 on Nigerian Federal University students – with personal insights from 8 people

On the 23rd of March 2020, there was a directive from the federal government to shut down all schools in order to curb the spread of the Covid-19. Since then, students all over Nigeria have been anxious to resume school. The general question which we do not have an answer to is “when is school resuming?” Many students have had their hopes lifted when rumors (the currency of this season) start flying around about resumption. These hopes are dashed when the federal government refutes these rumors.
The abrupt break has had so many effects on us as students. I, personally, experience varying degrees of motivation from day to day. Some days I wake up ready to take on the world (like the day I wrote this post) and somedays I would want to do nothing but eat and sleep.

It’s very discouraging that there are no provisions whatsoever for continued online lectures and it just brings into the spotlight how underdeveloped the Nigerian educational sector is.
The following people and their experiences with this pandemic period will give you an insight into how Covid-19 is affecting federal University students.
Adebayo Victoria (University of Ibadan)
The pandemic and it’s resulting economic strain has affected me financially.

As a student with no side hustle, I depend entirely on my parents for my financial needs. The pandemic has affected my parent’s source of income which in turn affects me. They don’t see the need to give me an allowance as they normally would, because to them at the moment, with no place to go and no school expenses, I don’t need it. It’s tough o, ask anyone in my situation.
Ebiesuwa Oluwaseyi Gbafun (Ex President, Dramatic Arts student Association OAU)
In normal circumstances i.e. during semester breaks, majority of students find little or no time for their books and instead spend the break having fun. This break though, is different. The first thing anybody (student or not) will seek during a pandemic is survival, how to stay safe rather than “what should I read in preparation for school”

Also some families have come together to be with each other during this period. Most students therefore would take advantage of this to spend quality time with family that they would otherwise not be with.
Another important effect is that some students use school as a refuge away from home due to their home environment not being welcoming. Students like this with no other source of sustenance apart from their family are forced to go home, to the detriment of their emotional health.
Jasper Okorie (University of Lagos)

I run an online crossbody bag business and most of my customer base are my fellow students on campus. As a small business, I wasn’t prepared for this kind of change. Now, I’m just sitting on my hands waiting for school to resume, not because of classes but for my side hustle.
Ogundeyi Funmilayo (Obafemi Awolowo University)
To me, the disadvantages of this pandemic are so much more than the advantages, if there’s any. Almost all goods and services had a price inflation despite the fact that money wasn’t circulating all that well. Also, as I’m sure is the case of many out there as well, I’ve lost concentration on my studies.
Ever since we’ve been at home I can count the number of times I have opened my school books. Funmi
Tweet
Ifaturoti Rachael (Obafemi Awolowo University)
The pandemic has been emotionally stressful for me and everyday takes on more of the same routine. I spend more time on movies and use more data subscription than I would when I’m in school. The internet has helped me a lot by ways of exploration, but I’ve also engaged in tweets that add less to my life. As a poet, juggling school and poetry together before the pandemic made my poetry suffer, but during this break, I’ve been able to focus more on poetry. I’ve written more poems and I’m participating more in my poet’s association. I feel like the bleak state of the world is reflecting in what I write and this limits me.
At the beginning of the lockdown, I felt a rush of motivation. I started and have almost completed a novel, I tried to workout, but now with no end in sight, that motivation is a bit lacking. Without the external distractions though, I’ve been able to focus more on myself (kind of self therapy) and it’s been a really great process that helped me gather my thoughts and even decide my major field of study.
Emmanuel (Ekiti state University)
My girlfriend and I mostly see each other only when school is in session because we live in different states. With school shutdown and the social distancing nature of the Corona virus, we can’t be together. I really miss her.

Alabi Sharon (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Since the beginning of all this, I use more data subscription than before, because my phone is my window to the world right now. The solitude has given me time to rediscover myself and also learn new things and most importantly to draw closer to God. I took the excess break as an opportunity to work from home and earn some money which helped me sustain the bulk of my data subscriptions as I wasn’t getting any allowance from my parent to help with that.
Another thing this pandemic has affected is my timeline for school. I started a new session at the beginning of this year and was supposed to finish the session by December. I don’t see that happening anymore because we’ve lost so much time. A by effect of this is that upon resumption the timeline will most likely be rushed so as to make up for lost time. This may put pressure on us as students and also affect our extracurricular activities. I also miss social interaction. At east when I go to class I’ll meet people and it’s just sad that there’s no way for us to continue our classes online.
Salawu Priscilla (Obafemi Awolowo University)
Before the pandemic, I was dealing with various issues and putting school into that mix, it was a lot. The social distancing and shutdown of school was a break that I didn’t really know I needed until I got it.

What bothers me sometimes though, is the complete change from what I was used to and lack of activities. Also the pandemic and it’s effects has opened our eyes to a lot of things globally, both positively and negatively. For example, the deficiencies of the healthcare system, especially here in Nigeria.
Conclusion
As I’m sure you’ve noticed from the above examples, effects of the Covid-19 vary from person to person. We all have various ways that we deal with various issues.
Whatever method you’re using to get through this trying time that we’re in globally, I want you to remember not to put pressure on yourself.
Tweet
It’s okay if you use this period to reflect on yourself, to rest, to pick up a new book, to connect more with your friends and family, to lace up those running shoes, to try out new cuisines, or to experiment new recipes, you name it. Whatever you do DON’T FORGET TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST.
Comment below and let me know what you think.
Want to share this with your friends, family?

Atupa
Tola this is really nice. I love the fact that you decided to make use of this period to build yourself and start a beautiful journey.. you really intelligent
Tola
Thanks Atupa.
Oyinwura
Great work Tola. Keep it up God bless you and the work of your Hand and you will not labor in vain IJN.
Tola
Amen!
Tawakalt Ademiju
Ah-mazing! Shine on Wonder Woman. ❤️
Tola
Sure will! Thanks for stopping by
Daniel Mor
Insightful! Fun to read! Love how you aggregate all of these perspectives. Looking forward to the next one.
Tola
I’m looking forward to having you again!
Gbafun
This is very beautiful. I hope it’s a beginning of something great. Well-done dear. Keep it up.
Tola
Thank you!
Jonathan Oladipupo
Really COVID 19, has made alot of impart on our social lifestyle moreso the reality is now here with us. We should start thinking outside the box in our various endeavors and move on. Good work keep it up
Tola
Exactly, this is the new normal.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Olayemi
Great one. Keep it up. I’m your fan already. Keep pushing. Learn more on content creation everyday so that you can always push your limits and emerge number one.
You’re going places, places that are high, places that matter. Keep it up.
Tola
Thank you for the advice! I’ll be sure to implement them
Boye Falonipe
Dear Omotola,
This is a fantastic effort and great start. It’s interesting to read the perspective of students on the effect of the long and forced break. It reminds me of the very long one year break we had in 2001… We tried our several things and enjoyed them: more football, small businesses, and painting the town red. There is always something to learn in all seasons. I am sure you’ll remember now for good as a result of the blog launch. Congratulations sis, and keep it up!
Tola
Thank you so much sir, I’m thrilled to have your support
Ojo Adetooni
Babe!!!! this is really good. At least I learnt something. Pls don’t stop here o. Thanks hun.
I will be anticipating for more
Tola
Definitely not stopping. I’ll be here for a long while.
Thank you!
Falonipe Mosun
Nice compilations.Keep it up.
Tola
Thank you sir
Seun Gbèmí
Whilst the lockdown festers, the most important thing is to make do with something.
I am of the opinion that, personal build is achievable, tinker on your old ways. Persistence, determination, and other virtues are needed. A lucid and interesting read.
Tola
Determination is key, so 2020 doesn’t feel like a wasted year.
Thank you Seun Gbèmí
John
Nice one , well done !!
Tola
Thank you John
Canaan
This is awesome, keep up the good work.
Tola
I will, thank you.
EJIOLU
This is great Tola. I like the fact that it’s something everyone can relate to. Keep it up👌🏼
Tola
I’m glad you found it interesting. Thank you Ejiolu
SharonKim
Tola, I’m glad to witness the beginning of this great journey . More inspiration in Jesus name
Tola
Amen. Thank you for your input on the post Sharon
Olamilekan ß.
This is really helpful, good job Tola and thanks for sharing such a good blog. Keep it up and I pray that this journey will be a fruitful and successful one.
Tola
Amen. I’m always happy to share 😊
Adesuwa Omon
Please come and add my own experience.
I’m just eating and getting fat☹️.
Tola
😂🤣 Aren’t we all?
Cecilia Olawoore
This is the beginning of the becoming of THETOLAFALONIPE.
See you at the top.
Tola
Cecilia, thank you so much