Parents Face Back-to-School Strain

As schools across Nigeria reopen, many parents are grappling with the emotional and financial pressures of the new academic session.

For Ayoade, a Lagos trader, the challenge began months ago. Her two-year-old daughter is due to start school in September, but finding a daycare within budget has proved difficult. Fees in her neighbourhood range between ₦50,000 and ₦75,000 – costs she and her husband consider too high for their modest earnings.

She is not alone. Across the country, parents report mounting anxiety as the first term begins. Franca Ihentuge, a teacher and mother of four in Owerri, says September is often the hardest period for families. “Parents are required to buy uniforms, textbooks, and pay fees all at once. By the second and third terms, it is usually just fees.”

Educators say the burden extends beyond finances. “Parents have to adjust to new routines, wake up earlier, and help their children settle into the school year,” said Chukwumelu Amah, a Lagos head teacher. “It can be overwhelming.”

Publishers and education experts also point to a deeper emotional weight. “Parents may feel guilty if they cannot afford everything on the school list,” said editor Elizabeth Olanubi. “It is not just about money, it is about their child’s future.”

Teachers, too, face pressures to prepare classrooms, source materials, and re-engage pupils after the long break. “We often spend out of pocket to get supplies before term starts,” said Gbenga Odole, a teacher in Lagos.

As families juggle finances, routines, and expectations, the return to school has become a test of resilience. For many, the struggle reflects broader economic challenges that continue to shape daily life in Nigeria.