By Passman Akpos
Parents across Nigeria are opening up about the growing financial pressure of providing daily school food, snacks, and transportation for their children, with many admitting that weekly spending now runs into tens of thousands of naira.
The discussion gained attention after one parent revealed spending ₦15,000 every week on just one child’s school food and snacks from Monday to Friday, prompting many others to share similar struggles.
“Omoh, he no easy ooo,” one mother lamented, explaining how she tries to reduce daily spending by buying provisions in bulk such as biscuits, juice packs, plantain, sweet potatoes, and eggs.
Many parents agreed that buying snacks in cartons rather than daily purchases has become the best survival strategy. Items like juice packs, biscuit cartons, cheese balls, and Happy Hour drinks are often stocked monthly and hidden away to prevent younger siblings from finishing them before school days.
One parent humorously said, “Be like na rooftop you go keep am because once they find out say things like that dey house, sorry!”
Another mother disclosed spending over ₦42,000 monthly, especially because her daughter constantly requests new snacks she sees at school.
Some parents said transportation adds even more pressure. One parent noted that excluding fuel costs, school snacks alone are expensive, but with daily school runs and pick-ups, the burden becomes heavier.
“If I no add fuel money for moto, ₦14k omo no be small thing. Every day drop and pick up,” the parent said.
For families with multiple children, the cost rises sharply. One mother revealed she spends ₦6,000 daily for three children, while another parent said ₦20,000 weekly covers snacks for two children, though only one attends school.
Others explained that lunch arrangements also increase expenses, especially for schools with multiple break periods.
“Hmmm, it’s more than that ooo because my son’s school is having two lunch,” one parent shared.
Some parents admitted they avoid calculating the total cost altogether to avoid stress.
“Omor I no wan calculate abeg… make I no go think. But I thank God every day she dey alright,” one mother said.
For many, the economic reality has forced them into extra hustle. One mother revealed that the need to meet these expenses is why she wakes up daily to fry buns and chin chin for sale.
Another parent proudly stated that although the expenses are high, hearing her child speak excellent English makes the sacrifice feel worthwhile.
The conversation highlights the silent financial burden many Nigerian parents carry daily, balancing rising food costs, school demands, and transportation expenses—all in the hope of giving their children a better future.
