Social Science and Human Research Bulletin

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.

Cost of living, petrol price increase, students, Anambra State

1. Akpojotor, R.U., Mordi, C.U., Onoka, H.O.  & Ogah, B.O. (2005). Impact of fuel subsidy  removal on staff welfare and students’ academic performance in tertiary institutions in Delta State.  British Journal of Education, 13(3), 16-27.        https://doi.org/10.37745/bje.2013/vol13n31627.
2. Al Jazeera. (2023). Nigeria fuel subsidy cut: Spiraling costs explained. https://www.aljazeera.com/
3. Arinze, P. E. (2011). Impact of oil price on the Nigerian economy. Journal of Economics and  Sustainable Development, 2(4), 1–10.
4. Autogirl. (2024). Fuel price evolution in Nigeria from 1973 to 2024: Fuel subsidies and effect on  transportation. https://autogirl.ng/fuel-price-evolution-in-nigeria-from-1973-to-2024-fuel- subsidies-and-its-effect-on-transportation/
5. Bari, A., & Adali, S. (2020). The effects of oil price changes on consumer inflation in Turkey. Energy Policy, 137, 111089. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111089
6. Elekwashi, A. B.,   Akenbor, L. C.   & Godwin, L. C. (2024). Fuel price fluctuations and transportation  systems in Rivers State. Journal of Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. 9(2),  2607-3118.
7. Eryigit, M. (2009). Effects of oil price changes on the sector indices of Istanbul Stock Exchange.  International Research Journal of Finance and Economics, 25, 209–216.
8. Emughedi, E. (2025). Effect of petrol price increase on household purchasing power in Nigeria.  Journal of Social and Economic Research, 10(1), 45–60.
9. Harnida, H. (2022). Fuel price increases and economic challenges in Indonesia. Journal of Economic  Policy Studies, 15(2), 120–135.
10. Henry, E., Emmanuel, I., Eseosa, O., & Abiola, A. (2020). Petroleum subsidy withdrawal, fuel price  hikes, and the Nigerian economy. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy,  10(4), 258–265.
11. Kabiya, M., & Mengsteab, T. (2023). Impact of high fuel prices on socio-economic well-being of rural  communities in Lilongwe. African Journal of Development Studies, 13(3), 88–104.
12. Keynes, J. M. (1936). The general theory of employment, interest, and money. Macmillan.
13. Kenton, W. (2025). Cost-push inflation. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com
14. Meyer, D. F. (2018). The impact of fuel price changes on inflation and economic growth in South  Africa. Journal of Economic and Financial Sciences, 11(1), 1–8.  https://doi.org/10.4102/jef.v11i1.175
15. Nigeria Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Consumer price index and inflation report: January 2024.  https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary
16. Nithya, R., & Kann, R. (2024). Impact of rising fuel prices on vehicle users’ economic well-being.  International Journal of Consumer Studies, 48(2), 350–364.
17. Ocheni, S. (2015). Effects of fuel price increase on the Nigerian economy. International Journal of  Social Sciences, 4(1), 1–9.
18. Okpo, C. E. & Okonkwo, C. H. (2025). Political economy of fuel price hike and cost of living in Nigeria,  2011-2024. 1(6), 3045-4306. https://doi-10.52811/zen. d.16753308999
19. Olatunbosun, O. A. (2019). Crude oil price fluctuations and tertiary education survival in Nigeria.  International Journal of Educational Management, 33(6), 1234–1248.
20. Otu, J. E., & James, A. O. (2024). Fuel subsidy removal and standard of living in Cross River State,  Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Economic Studies, 18(1), 55–72.
21. Oyadeyi, T., Ukoli, J., Chandiramani, R., Rosas, N., & Luo, X. (2024). Rising cost of living and household  welfare in Nigeria (World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 10845). World Bank.
22. Pelin, U., & Mübariz, H. (2023). Oil price changes, inflation and output growth in Turkey. Energy  Economics, 115, 106347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2022.106347
23. Pirog, R. (2004). Natural gas prices and market fundamentals. Congressional Research Service.
24. Ude, C. (2023). The foolish man’s refinery, fuel subsidy and everything in-between. SSRN Research  Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4167819
25. Yodah, R. O., Ouma, S., Machel, M., & Ajwang, P. (2024). Crude oil price fluctuations and consumer  price index in Kenya. Journal of African Macroeconomic Review, 9(2), 77–95.