In the first part of this series, students from faraway states shared affordable tuition, transparent admission processes, and strong academic standards as the reasons behind their decisions of choosing to study at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

However, behind these reasons lie challenges faced by these students who toil on roads and cross bridges in pursuit of higher education in UDUS. For most of them, coming to Sokoto hands over a baton of climate, lifestyle, and living condition challenges to them.

Unlike the southern part of Nigeria where weather conditions are relatively moderate, Sokoto presents a different experience. During the hot season, many students rely on cold water and ice blocks (kankara) to cope with the heat, while during harmattan, sweaters and cardigans become necessary for warmth.

Despite the challenges, these students continue to keep their primary mission of studying to obtain a degree in place.

To better understand these realities, Gamji’s Komolafe Hammed reached out to students from distant places across different departments to share their experiences.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Finding a suitable place to live is one of the first hurdles many who have no relatives in Sokoto face after gaining admission into UDUS. With school hostels not able to accommodate all students and some students preferring to stay alone, most students are forced to depend on private hostels around Kwalkwalwa, Dundaye, Arkilla, and UDUTH axis.

The search often comes with high rent, poor facilities, and pressure from house agents. Oyegbemi Faruq, a Radiography student from Osun state, spoke about the stress he encountered while searching for a private hostel around UDUTH.

“It shocks me to see agents place outrageous prices on houses that lack basic facilities. These same prices could afford more convenient and spacious hostels elsewhere, despite the high student population there. It is disturbing how private hostels are becoming a serious problem here,” he lamented. “Coming from a far distance to study here is really challenging.”

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗯𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

For many students who study far away from home, managing money is an extra course they offer every semester. Feeding, transport, handouts, and data must be balanced with limited allowances from home. Unlike students in nearby states, these students cannot easily return home when resources run low.

Damilola, a 300-level Accounting student from Lagos state, explained how distance from home has affected his daily life and finances. “Sometimes I go to class without eating because I cook only once a day so my foodstuffs will not finish quickly. If it finishes, sending more from home costs money and stress,” he explained.

“Transport from Sokoto to Lagos costs about ₦25,000 for a single trip. That is why I do not always go home after every semester. Sometimes, when I remember that the journey takes more than 20 hours and I cannot just decide to visit my parents anytime I want, I shake my head,” he said.

For him, he sees the situation as a source of motivation to ensure the struggle is finally worth it. “I am concentrating on my mission here by putting the time and energy into my studies so I can graduate with good honours,” he added.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗸𝗼𝘁𝗼’𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲

Weather difference is another adjustment that many students from other parts of the country struggle with. Walking long distances to lectures under intense sunshine and coping with sudden temperature changes has become part of daily student life in Sokoto.
A Nursing Science student from Kogi state, who preferred to remain anonymous described the weather condition as his major challenge.
“I find it difficult to go to lectures when the sun is fully out even though I stay close to my department. Now, imagine staying far away from school and having to come for a lecture in such conditions,’ he said.

“Even when I take my afternoon nap, I wake up sweating. I am just trying to cope with the weather conditions as it is on another level here,” he added.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀

Beyond accommodation and finances, academic pressure remains another test for this set of students. While academic pressure is common to all students, regardless of their state of origin, finding ways around it, seems harder with the challenges mentioned earlier.

Sebiotimo Abdulateef, a part-three Nursing student from Osun state pointed out how overwhelming academic pressure is, for students who come from distant places to study in Sokoto.

“The university presents academic pressure for all students. However, the pressure is more overwhelming for students who study far away from home. With the sudden change in weather conditions, students invest extra efforts, trying to adapt to the new environment,” he said.

“I have seen colleagues fail because they could not cope with reading during the day due to the high temperature and they were never a night reader. Students who cannot adapt will always have to bear the cross,” he added.

1. Going further, he added how the thought of going back home as a failure puts students under more pressure. “You will hear these students saying, ‘How do I tell my parents that I came all the way from Kwara, Oyo, or Anambra states to fail in Sokoto? While statements like this could serve as sources of motivation, it brings students more under pressure,’ he concluded.