By Hassan Lawan Koli
Gombe State University is currently grappling with a worrying trend: a significant decline in student attendance at lectures. Many students cite the increasing cost of transportation as the primary reason behind their inability to make it to campus regularly.
The economic challenges facing students have left many struggling to balance their academic commitments with the financial burden of daily commuting.
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Several lecturers at the university have confirmed the issue, noting a noticeable drop in student attendance during their classes. Mr. Abdulrashid Abdullahi, a lecturer in the Department of Geography, said, “The number of students attending lectures has drastically reduced. It’s clear that transportation costs are playing a significant role, and this could negatively impact their academic performance. However, we are sometimes considering their grievances to ease these burdens.”
Students, on their part, expressed their frustrations over the situation. Aisha Usman, a 300-level student in the Faculty of Arts, lamented, “The cost of transportation has doubled in recent months. In fact, I am among the most affected students.”
Another 200-level student, Philimon Maisamari, is worried that he is at the receiving end of this transportation hike. “As a person living in Bagadaza Quarters, being here to attend daily lectures remains a major challenge, and I have to skip lectures to reduce the cost, and this is really affecting my academic performance,” he stated.
Despite these concerns, the Spokesperson of the Gombe State Students’ Association (GOSSA), Comrade Bashir Garkuwa, has urged students to find personal solutions to the problem. He advised students to explore alternative options such as carpooling or securing accommodation closer to the campus, saying that the government has done and is doing much for students and that the issue requires collaborative efforts.
The ongoing transportation crisis has sparked debates about the accessibility of education and the role of institutions in ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder students’ academic pursuits.
As stakeholders deliberate on possible solutions, the future of many students hangs in the balance, with the hope that action will be taken to address this pressing issue.