IMPACT OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL ON THE WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of fuel subsidy removal on the well-being of students at the University of Calabar, focusing on transportation costs, mobility patterns, daily living expenses, and academic expenditures. The research was grounded in structural functionalism theory and employed a structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale to collect data from a sample of 164 students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, selected using Taro Yamane's formula. The data was analyzed using simple percentage and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that the removal of fuel subsidies significantly burdened students with increased transportation costs, prompting changes in their transportation modes. Furthermore, correlation analyses showed concerning trade-offs between essential expenses, highlighting the subsidy removal's implications for students' well-being. To mitigate these effects, the study recommends introducing targeted support programs, such as subsidized transportation schemes or educational grants, to alleviate the adverse impacts on academic activities and overall well-being. TheUniversity of Calabar management should establish campus-specific subsidies, such as discounted meal plans, affordable hostel accommodations, and bursary programs. These measures would help cushion the effect of the high cost of living on students.