Right now, I’m in school, and honestly, things haven’t been easy for me when it comes to managing data alongside other school expenses. With the way the cost of things keeps rising, data in particular has become so expensive in this country. It feels like everything is just getting out of hand. As a student, it’s already tough having to deal with tuition, departmental fees, feeding, and even transportation here and there , and now data has joined the list of things stressing us out.
Most times, I have to depend on the school’s Wi-Fi to stay connected. Thankfully, the Wi-Fi is installed in my hostel, and that’s what I’m currently using to post this. It’s honestly a lifesaver. Without it, I’d probably go days without being online. But then again, it’s not perfect. The Wi-Fi doesn’t reach every corner of the hostel, and there are times when I have to go to specific spots or stand in awkward positions just to get a good signal. And let’s not even talk about the days when the Wi-Fi just acts up completely or when there’s a network outage. Those days can be so frustrating, especially when you have something important to do online.
Despite the school Wi-Fi, I still find myself having to buy mobile data from time to time, especially when I’m in places the Wi-Fi doesn’t reach or when it’s just not working at all. Buying data regularly has become a necessity, even though it’s not something I can comfortably afford. But what can I do? Being online is part of my everyday life now, whether for schoolwork, staying informed, or just unwinding a bit.
On a normal day, though, mobile data is actually what I rely on the most. I don’t have any personal Wi-Fi setup, and to be honest, I can’t even think about getting one right now. It’s not like I don’t want to, but it just doesn’t make financial sense at this point in my life. There are more pressing needs, and Wi-Fi isn’t exactly cheap—not just the initial setup but the monthly subscription, too.
Another thing is the electricity issue in Nigeria. Even if I had a personal Wi-Fi router, it would still need electricity to function well, and we all know how unstable power supply can be here. Imagine spending so much on Wi-Fi, only for it to be useless most of the time because there’s no light to power it. That’s just not practical for me. With my phone, I can at least charge it to 100% and use it for a long time without electricity but that it isn't possible with the wifi. That’s why mobile data, despite how expensive it is, still remains the easier and more flexible option for me at the moment.
So, for now, mobile data remains my go-to, even though it can be a financial burden. I try to manage the little I have, connect through the school Wi-Fi whenever I can, and only buy data when I absolutely need it. It’s not the most convenient setup, but it’s what’s working for me right now. Hopefully, things get better soon in terms of data prices. Until then, we just keep managing and making the most of what’s available.
Thanks for reading.