By Louis Akwarandu
Students of the Federal University, Otuoke (FUO), Bayelsa State, have decried the escalating cost of living in the area, lamenting the strain imposed by skyrocketing prices of food, house rent, electricity, and basic amenities.
According to an interview on Saturday, July 19 2025, the students described the cost of living in Otuoke as overwhelming and increasingly unaffordable for the average student. They appealed to the federal and state governments, the Student Union Government (SUG), and the Otuoke community to urgently intervene and address the situation.
Timothy Udochukwu, a 300-level student of the Department of Engineering, expressed deep concern over the annual hike in house rents, which he said had become unbearable. “As we speak now, landlords are increasing rent every year. Even though the cost of building materials has risen, the constant increment is too much. My rent went from ₦250,000 to ₦300,000, while others are now paying between ₦400,000 and ₦500,000 for self-contained apartments — yet, we still pay separately for electricity and water,” he lamented.
He added that daily expenses on food alone could cost students over ₦3,000, placing significant financial pressure on their families. “We live without reliable power and must purchase water every day. It’s tough.”
Queen Amadi, a 200-level student of Political Science, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the burden of high expenses was compounded by the inefficiency of the SUG in addressing student welfare.
“We don’t feel the presence of the SUG. They should prioritize negotiating fair rent rates with landlords before addressing other concerns like transportation. Students are on the brink,” she said.
Amadi proposed the creation of a student-friendly market within the university premises where prices of goods could be regulated and made affordable.
“Landlords and house agents are taking advantage of inflation. The community should collaborate with the school to find lasting solutions to this hardship,” she added.
In his analysis, Dr. Onyibrakemi Azebi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Development Studies, FUO, attributed the situation to a classic case of demand exceeding supply. “The student population in Otuoke is growing faster than the resources available. This naturally pushes up rent and food costs. Most food items are sourced from Yenagoa, and the high cost of transportation further inflates prices,” Azebi explained.
He noted that the removal of fuel subsidy had worsened transport fares. “A trip that used to cost ₦50 by bike now goes for ₦150 to ₦200. Going from campus to Jonathan’s Bridge costs around ₦400.”
According to him, market forces — not greed — are largely responsible for the current pricing trends. He cited the high cost of building materials as a key factor, with cement now selling between ₦10,000 and ₦11,000 per bag and a tipper of sand going for ₦90,000 to ₦100,000.
As a way forward, Dr. Azebi called for strategic investments in low-cost housing and mechanized agriculture. “Government and private investors should collaborate with the university to develop affordable housing and boost local food production. With sufficient supply, prices will naturally drop.” He further recommended exploring cost-effective construction methods such as modernized clay or brick buildings to tackle the region’s housing challenges.
