Usually, Nigerian students are at their busiest in their final years as they have to write projects and write examinations. Alas, even that was brought to a standstill as lives had to be saved first.
I asked a couple of final year students from different Nigerian universities to share what their experiences with the pandemic have been.

Christian Ndukwe, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki – Caught in a love triangle

I always thought love triangles involving lecturers and students were absent in nursing schools until I got caught in one. I liked a female colleague, but her guardian, a reverend father, disapproved of our relationship. At first, I thought he was being overly protective. But that wasn’t the case. He had been having sex with her for over a year now. She told me she would have loved to be with me but feels her education might be affected if she did. When the ‘rona came around, the resistance to our relationship became more serious. The school’s dean of students affairs summoned me and threatened to expel me. He asked me to put down the names of the girls I’ve had sexual relations with. When I refused, he promised to deal with me.

I had a problem with my course registration, but he refused to fix it until I succumbed to their wishes. I couldn’t understand what the fuss what’s all about, so I didn’t change my position on the matter. Eventually, he got my Statistics lecturer on his side, who said he would make sure I failed his course because I missed more than 50% of his lectures.

I discussed the newest development with the girl, and we agreed to break off the relationship. I really wished we were still together, but when the result was announced and I cleared all my papers, I knew it was worth the sacrifice.

Arinze Christian, University of Nigeria – Trapped in school

After the COVID breakout, I had some project stuff to settle. I thought staying in school would give me space and time to accomplish a great deal on my project, but I was wrong. I couldn’t work effectively because everyone had left the school,– the entire school was like a graveyard, 7 PM became the new 12 midnight. It was so boring and frustrating. If the internet didn鈥檛 exist, I have no idea how I would have survived. When the inter-state ban was lifted and I didn’t hesitate to leave. I am now at home thinking and missing school. What a life!

Precious Nwajuaku, Nnamdi Azikiwe University – Survived on garri and water without sugar

During this pandemic, staying at home wasn’t a pleasant experience for me. I was always having issues with my mum over many things, especially money.

When school was in session, my mom tried her best to send me money, so I was not always broke. But when the pandemic hit, collecting money from her proved to be difficult. If she decided to give me, I wouldn鈥檛 hear the end of it for the rest of the day. Not that I blame her much!

The governor of my state declared a total lockdown of the state. We didn’t get the information on time, so we didn鈥檛 stock the house with food. The risk of getting arrested made us think twice about going outside. I remember sneaking outside when the hunger was getting too much to go to a woman who sold bread on my street, only to find out that her store was closed. God! We lived on garri and water without sugar for the next three days!

Temidayo Jacob, University of Ilorin – Had to get an affidavit

Graduating this year is on God. I guess I have moved on with my life. Whatever it is, it is. It鈥檚 bad enough to live during a pandemic, but banks have gotten more frustrating than usual.

I went to a GTbank branch close to my lodge in school to open an account. I was out in the sun for 4 hours. To crown it all, their customer service was terrible.

While I was waiting, the security man freely allowed affluent people in without stress. I was irritated that one set of people were prioritised over the others, and were allowed in as soon they arrived while we wey no sabi pesin and had no car stayed under the sun. Laslas, na person wey get property actually get money for the bank.

On opening the account, I was asked to go to court to get an affidavit to update my BVN details. A whole me? Go to court? I just gave up on the whole thing and went home straight to sleep.

Confidence – I had no background knowledge about the course

The toughest course I encountered was architecture. I had no background knowledge in technical drawing in my secondary school. This made it difficult for me to understand what it was about.

The lecturer also contributed to the problem. He would teach for only 30 minutes and send us off with an assignment. Sometimes, he came to class only to sign attendance and give us an assignment. At other times, he didn鈥檛 come to class at all, yet he gave assignments. 

When the exams came, I wasn’t given enough time to write what I knew. I did poorly.

Kamso – I didn’t understand the course material

In my first year, I registered for a language course: Introduction to Linguistics. I didn’t find it challenging. However, it was said that each year, the number of carryover students for the course surpassed that of the freshers. The course was taught by the former HOD 鈥� the only one she ever handled for year 1 students, so you can understand the importance of an A, B, or at least a C. Funnily enough, the ALMIGHTY course had just one study material — a book she wrote.

The first semester came and passed, I couldn’t thank God enough for seeing me through. Then came the second semester and  I was like: “I thought I was done with you and your poo-poo theory and Noam Chomsky.”

The second semester was rush hour, and this was something I wasn’t used to. When exams came, I thought I could make things work like the previous semester. I got a summary to make things easier as I read.

Two days before the exam, I still couldn’t comprehend the content of the summary. My mind was blank and couldn’t function. I practically prayed and cried myself to sleep. I told God that I couldn’t carry over the course. It was too much of a headache. Scoring D was more than enough. Thankfully it was an afternoon paper. The vibes to read came to my rescue on the eve of the exam. I wrote and made a C.

Rosemary – I had a weird lecturer

I took a course from the Accounting department in my second year. My first time in the class was horrible. The lecturer spent most of his time reciting the names on the attendance sheet and memorizing at least five female names, which he tried to recall after class, not minding the fact that he came an hour late.

Whenever he decided to teach, he would read out directly from his textbook filled with inaccurate figures.

Also, you dare not put an ink to change the wrong figures.

Finally, in the exam hall, we saw the unexpected. Even his colleagues were like: 鈥淛ust pen down something.This question is for Masters.鈥� Fortunately, I made a pass.

Vera – There was a lot of unnecessary stress

The toughest course I’ve encountered so far was in my second year. The course, ‘The Literature of the Neoclassical period’, was handled by two female lecturers. At first, the course was quite interesting. There was a lot of poems, the lecturers’ notes and history of the period. It was engaging and fascinating.

Every student who took the course was supposed to have an individual presentation. Unfortunately, I missed mine due to an emergency at home. For a moment there, I lost interest in the course.

We were given a second chance to present right after the examination. Boom, my zeal for the course got rekindled. But one thing I hated and didn’t find helpful was the stress this brought.

The lecturers hyped the course and kept on telling students to read all the recommended texts 鈥�  get familiar with the lines, poets’ biographies and their relation to the Neoclassical Period. We were told to do more research. This meant a lot of sleepless nights. Also, I had colleagues that I was teaching. All hands were on deck.

Most of my course mates got so addicted to reading, thanks to this course. On the D-day, we weren’t afraid because we had a hint on what the exam would look like, considering the lecturers involved. The disheartening bit of the entire thing was that we were allocated inadequate time to write the ones we knew to our satisfaction. I answered two out of the three compulsory questions. The presentation didn’t hold, and that was how I had a D in the course.

Adaugo – Had a toilet infection

My first and sole problem is the toilet. It is terrible — a complete eyesore. A toilet is allocated to 5 rooms on every floor. Students hardly use the toilet. They would rather defecate and urinate inside a custard bucket and then pour in the toilet. After disposing of the content, they don’t flush because of the lack of running water. Others do the same thing until the toilet bowl is filled with faeces. To make matters worse, the cleaners come in to wash the toilet only once a week. I got a bum irritation as a result of it.

Chiamaka – Was part of a protest

The school hostel is known for regular power supply, but something happened. There was a blackout that lasted for a week. During this period, we had a shortage of water supply as well. You’ll see girls queuing up to fetch water from the well to have their baths. Omo! Life was hard. We had to stage a protest before something was done. We used the cover of our pots and the stick for stirring garri instead of placards, shouting as we marched down. Even the boys joined in the protest. In the end, our protest was successful.

Precious – Helped a girl in need

This happened in my year one. We had clear instructions not to hang clothes on the rails in front of our room. However, a fellow hostelite defaulted. As usual, the former Dean came to the hostel and saw the clothes. Before he could come up, all of us in that wing took the clothes inside, locked our doors, and went out. He didn’t see anyone when he came up. So, he wrote our room numbers, threatening and ordering that we see him in his office the next day.

It was so nice working together as a team. Imagine if the girl had come back and didn’t see her clothes. It’s not like she purposely did that. There was no space to dry her clothes downstairs. Thankfully, he didn’t do anything because we were writing exams.

Philip – Portress wahala

I wanted to eat before going for lectures. But my rice got spoilt. So I packed the rice, threw it in the bin, then I poured the water I used to rinse the pot over the rails. I knew it was against the hostel rules but rules are there when things are in place.

One of the portresses heard the splash and asked who did it. I refused to bulge because she didn’t see my face. Still, she went continued with her threats and even tried to curse me.

I decided to go after her to explain myself but she slapped me saying that she was old enough to be my grandmother. After that, she ordered me to sweep the floor. I refused. Not after she slapped me. Some of my fellow guys came out and asked that I obey her. The security guard threatened to call anti-cult. I wasn’t deterred. They were amazed because their words had no effect. They all knew she was wrong but you know, the portress is always right.

Eventually, I gave in and I felt humiliated.

1. When you pour water downstairs and the hostel portress shouts “gbadata ana”

Just get ready to do anything to get out of the situation

2. How you live when you own a generator and everyone tries to be your friend

Think free food, free knacks, free gifts.

3. When you see your friend, hands filled with Roban goodies.

Bebe, ngwanu gist me.

4. How the flowers at Chike Okoli look at you when you pose to take a picture.

We be making your pic swoon-worthy.

5. After admiring your crush鈥檚 shirt and trousers, then you find crocs on his feet.

What a waste of my admiration.

6. Everyone, when they see anti-cult coming to the hostel 

Everybody scatter.

7. When you alight from keke and driver doesn’t have #10 change.

Oga, don’t play with my intelligence.

8. When your quiz is in two minutes time and you can’t find an empty shuttle.

I need a miracle in my life.

9.  When you haven鈥檛 paid your fees and you remember Esimone is not Ahaneku.

#BringBackOurAhaneku.

10. When that smitten church brother invites you for night class

Brother Solomon, are you sure your ways are pure?

11. When you hear that Esimone has finally installed CCTV Camera

Project 2020, here we come.