A young Nigerian man has sparked widespread discussion after discovering a receipt showing the amount his mother paid as school fees at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1994. The discovery has highlighted the stark contrast between the cost of education in the past and the current economic realities in Nigeria.
The Discovery
The man, who goes by the TikTok handle @royaljoelx, shared a video explaining that he found the receipt while visiting his village last December. In the video, he expressed astonishment at the amount listed on the document. He stated that the figure was so low that many people would not guess it correctly. When he revealed that his mother paid only 45 naira, many viewers were shocked.
Comparison with Today's Economy
In the video, @royaljoelx noted that 45 naira in 1994 could not buy much in today's Nigeria. He remarked that the amount is equivalent to the cost of a sachet of pure water and possibly a biscuit. He also lamented the current job market, pointing out that in the past, university graduates often secured good jobs immediately after graduation. However, he noted that the situation is different now, as he himself, despite completing a nursing degree, has turned to YouTube automation to make a living.
Reactions from Social Media Users
The video elicited a wide range of reactions from TikTok users. Many shared their own experiences or commented on the economic changes in Nigeria.
- LadyAby commented: "In those days, our university fees were very low but money was very scarce."
- _Buike blamed the current situation on the ruling party, saying: "How did we get into this mess? I blame APC."
- Priest_ofTiKToK advised: "Keep your receipt oo, your kid will be muzzed."
- Stenzy noted: "Funny enough ehh that 50 naira was not that cheap then oo??, some still didn't go to school because of this money. My mum's own was 50 naira."
- Mildred shared: "I saw my mum's own too, her school fees was 30 naira. I shed freaking tearsssss."
Similar Stories
This is not an isolated case. Recently, a Nigerian man shared an old school fees receipt from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, showing he paid a total of N3,890 for school and accommodation many years ago. Many people online reacted and shared their own stories.
In another story, a University of Abuja graduate shared his academic success online, stating that he broke records in his faculty and became the president of the Faculty of Arts. He also shared his certificates, awards, and school fees receipts, revealing that he finished with a CGPA of 4.51.
Woman Posts 1993 School Fees Receipt
Similarly, a Nigerian lady shared an old school fees receipt her mother paid many years ago in Plateau State. She said her mother told her the amount, but she did not believe it until she saw the receipt herself. The receipt from 1993 showed the school fees paid for that school year, surprising many people online.
The discovery by @royaljoelx has once again brought to the forefront the issue of rising educational costs in Nigeria and the changing value of the naira over the decades.
