Silent Struggle of Students Who Skip Meals -By Faith Ogbotor

Hunger is becoming a quiet companion for many undergraduates trying to balance academics and survival.

The clock is almost 8 a.m., and students hurry towards their lecture halls in Delta State University, Abraka. Some holding notebooks, others hold water bottles, while a few walking, hoping not to be late for class. From a distance, everything appears normal. But behind many of those determined faces are empty stomachs and silent worries about where the next meal will come from. For many students, hunger has become another challenge they must overcome in pursuit of a university degree.

The reality of campus life has changed. With the rising cost of living, many students can no longer afford three meals a day. Some have cut down to two meals, while others survive on just one. The struggle is rarely obvious because many students choose to hide it, smiling through lectures even when they are hungry.

For Erezi Christabel Oghenemaro, a Broadcasting student, eating twice a day has become her routine. She said she has skipped meals “countless times” because there was no money to buy food. According to her, hunger affects both her body and her mind. “There will be no strength for you to do anything,” she said. “It can even lead to depression.” Whenever she is out of money, she depends on support from her parents, older siblings or the little income she earns from her business.

Gift Oshevire of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies shared a similar experience. She said there are days she eats twice and other days she manages just one meal. Going without food sometimes leaves her sick and unable to focus during lectures. When things become difficult, she reaches out to her parents, siblings or friends for help. Like many students, she believes life on campus would be easier if the cost of living was lower.

Ayoola Elkannah, a 100 level Journalism and Media Studies student, said life before university was different. He remembered eating three or four times a day while living in Lagos, but things changed after gaining admission. Academic expenses, project materials and the general cost of living have forced him to reduce the number of meals he eats. On days when money isn’t available, he and his friends gather whatever food they have and prepare a meal together. To him, that simple act of sharing has become one of the ways students survive.

Not every student interviewed shared the same experience. Comrade Edward Divine, a departmental stakeholder for JABSA, said he usually eats four or five times a day, although he admitted that he has skipped meals before. Also, Asagba David Oghenetega, a 400-level student of English and Literary Studies, said he has not had to skip meals because of financial challenges. However, he believes creating jobs and supporting student businesses would help many undergraduates become financially independent.

The effect of hunger goes beyond physical discomfort. Cyprian Rita, a 200-level Mass Communication student, said hunger weakens her, reduces her interest in studying and affects how well she understands lectures. “Sometimes I sleep, think or even cry,” she said, describing what she does when there is no money for food. Another student, Favour Felix, explained that she no longer eats what she likes but what her pocket can afford, adding that survival now takes priority over choice.

Interestingly, the situation appears different from the perspective of one campus food vendor. She said students’ buying habits have not changed significantly and that noodles with barbecue fish remain among the meals students request most. She also noted that students rarely ask her for food on credit and that she has not increased her prices because she still considers them affordable. Her response shows that while many students are struggling, their experiences are not exactly the same everywhere on campus.

Despite their different stories, one message was repeated throughout the interviews: students want support, not sympathy. Some suggested reducing school fees and levies, while others requested for scholarships, financial assistance and programmes that can assist students facing difficulties. Many believe that easing these financial pressures would allow them to focus more on learning instead of worrying about their next meal.

A university education is often described as an investment in the future, but for some students, each day begins with a more immediate concern how to get enough to eat. Hunger may not be visible inside a lecture hall, yet it quietly affects concentration, energy and emotional well-being. Until those silent struggles receive more attention, many students will continue to chase their dreams with empty stomachs but determined hearts.

Faith Ogbotor is a Journalism and Media Studies student with a passion for feature writing and human interest journalism. She enjoys telling stories that highlight everyday experiences and social issues affecting students and their communities.