By Fawaz Balogun

The price of kerosene has surged sharply in recent weeks across the University of Ibadan student community, placing an increasing burden on students who depend on it for their daily cooking needs.

As the only officially approved cooking fuel in most halls of residence, kerosene remains essential for student survival. However, its rising cost has sparked widespread concern among students who rely solely on it for cooking.

At the beginning of the semester, the price was relatively affordable. Barely eight weeks into the session, however, it has more than doubled, while the quantity sold for the same amount has reportedly reduced significantly, raising questions about fairness and affordability.

Sade, a 400 level student of the Department of Communication and Language Arts and resident of Queen Elizabeth Hall expressed frustration over the situation.

“Well, it’s affecting students so much. Considering how the price has literally doubled this semester alone, it’s harder for people to afford. I think the kerosene issue is enough reason to avoid the school halls and opt for private hostels,” she said.

But this raises a pressing concern: can every student afford private accommodation?

Findings across several halls of residence indicate that kerosene now sells for as high as ₦3,000 per litre, up from about ₦1,500 earlier in the semester.

For Funmi, a student of the Faculty of Law and resident of Awo Hall the increase in price of kerosene has affected her finances.

“The rise in price has reduced the quantity I can afford weekly. I now buy less and pay more, instead of using that money for foodstuffs. Sometimes, I skip cooking altogether. It feels like my allowance is going into kerosene alone,” she said.

Similarly, a Dorcas resident of Queen Idia Hall described the situation as part of a wider economic challenge.

“The rise in kerosene price reflects the increasing cost of living and its effect on student welfare. Sellers are not being considerate, they charge high prices, yet the quantity is often less than a litre,” she noted.

This raises another concern: are students being shortchanged by vendors?

For many students, the situation has forced a shift in lifestyle. A student in Kuti Hall revealed that cooking is gradually becoming less frequent, with garri becoming a daily fallback. He suggested that allowing gas cookers in halls could provide a more efficient and cost effective alternative.

The implications go beyond inconvenience. For many students, the cost of living on campus is now in some cases higher than living off campus, an irony for a university environment. The daily struggle to cook is not only stressful but also raises concerns about student welfare in an institution often referred to as the first and the best.

Observations around Independence Hall show that some students have turned to charcoal stoves due to the high cost of kerosene. While this may offer a temporary solution, concerns about hygiene, safety, and environmental impact remain.

Indy Press correspondents engaged two residents of Independence Hall. One student, Adebayo, said the rise in cost has significantly affected his cooking habits.

“Before the high cost, I usually buy one litre. Now I resort to buying half a litre, with numerous skipping of meals. Most of the time I don’t cook in the morning before going to class, I only cook in the evening.”

Another student, Ayoola, expressed frustration over the situation, saying it has made him reconsider his choice of institution.

“Most universities allow gas cookers in their various halls of residence. I don’t know why UI is different. The high cost has made life miserable for us in the halls. Buying food is now more economical than cooking. Most of the time, I resort to eating only bread,” he submitted.

Indy Press correspondents also attempted to engage kerosene sellers within the hall. They confirmed that the product is sold at varying prices including ₦3,000, ₦1,900, and ₦950 depending on quantity purchased.

They attributed the sharp rise in price to increased costs at filling stations where they source the product. According to them, retail prices reflect their own purchase costs, with only a small margin added for profit.

At this point, critical questions arise: what steps is the Students’ Union taking to address this growing hardship? How is it engaging university management on student welfare? And why has the option of safer and more economical alternatives such as gas cookers not been fully explored?

The rising cost of kerosene is more than an economic issue. It is a direct threat to student welfare, nutrition, and overall well being. If urgent steps are not taken, students may continue to adopt unsafe and unsustainable coping mechanisms. The responsibility now lies with both the Students’ Union and the university management to provide practical solutions. After all, a conducive learning environment should not include the daily struggle to cook a simple meal.

Image Credit: Guardian ng, AnkiaMbomAssists