SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF THE NIGERIAN ECONOMIC RECESSION ON STUDENTS AT NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

Abstract

This study explores the socio-economic implications of the Nigerian economic recession on students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The research delves into the effects of the economic downturn on students’ academic performance, moral values, social behaviors, and well-being. It highlights how the harsh economic environment has brought issues such as financial hardship, mental health challenges, and engagement in unethical practices, such as examination malpractice, internet fraud, and transactional relationships. The study adopts quantitative research methods. Questions were to a number of students from various faculties within the university, while in-depth interviews were conducted with academic staff, guidance counselors, and student affairs personnel. Secondary data were also drawn from academic journals, reports, and official publications on Nigeria's economic climate and its impacts on the educational sector. The research discovers that the economic recession has significantly affected students' academic focus and moral judgment, pushing many to seek alternative means of survival, often in unethical ways. The study also identifies the role of social pressure, peer influence, and lack of financial support as contributing factors to these behavioral shifts. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the university administration should establish more financial aid schemes and scholarships to assist economically disadvantaged students. There is also a need for counseling services that address both the psychological and financial challenges students face. Furthermore, it advocates for stronger moral and ethical education programs within the curriculum to counter the negative influences that the economic downturn has fostered. In conclusion, while the Nigerian economic recession has posed significant challenges for students, targeted interventions focusing on financial, psychological, and moral support can help mitigate the long-term negative effects on student populations.