Petrol price increase and cost of living among students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria

The bottom-form flabbergasted effect of fuel subsidy removal, which resulted in a persistent hike in petrol prices, has triggered a blatant surge in the cost of living for the citizens, and the university students are mainly the hardest-hit group. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the connection between rising gas prices and living expenses for Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (NAU) students. 250 undergraduate students who lived on campus were given questionnaires using a descriptive survey approach. The objectives of the study were threefold: to examine the relationship between purchasing power, housing costs, transportation costs, and students’ cost of living at NAU; to find out the mitigating effect of the university management and government to curb the adverse effect of the increase in fuel prices on the students in NAU; and to find out the coping strategies used by students in NAU. Using Pearson correlation analysis, the findings, among others, disclosed a significant relationship between rising fuel prices and students’ purchasing power (proxied by inflation rate), housing costs, and transportation expenses. This study found that the government and university management have not done anything to mitigate the effect of fuel price increases on the living costs of students in NAU. The study also found that the strategies used by the students to cope include reducing food expenses, adjusting their budgets, using alternative modes of transportation such as trekking, limiting social activities, changing daily routines, changing feeding habits, and borrowing from friends and families. This study stresses the urgent need for government measures and structural economic reforms to reduce students' helplessness and fuel price instability.