By Eva.D.
At a time when most students are cooking with gas burners, electric cookers, or even induction plates, a female student of the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi still depends on an old kerosene stove to prepare her meals.
The student, identified as Amina, lives off-campus in the Gwallameji area of Bauchi. Unlike many of her peers who receive financial support from home, Amina sponsors herself through school. She combines lectures with menial jobs and side hustles to pay her rent, fees, and daily upkeep.
Because of this financial strain, she cannot afford a gas cylinder or electric cooker, and instead relies on her kerosene stove — a method many consider outdated in 2025.
“To some people it looks embarrassing, but this is what I can manage,” Amina told this blog. “Kerosene may be slow, but at least I can afford it.”
Classmates sometimes mock her choice, saying she is “backward” in a modern age. Yet, for Amina, the stove is not a symbol of shame but survival. With the frequent electricity shortages in Bauchi and rising gas prices, her stove has proven more reliable than many modern alternatives.
Her story highlights the silent struggles of many Nigerian students who juggle education with financial hardship. While technology has advanced, the realities of poverty mean that some are still left behind, relying on the simplest tools just to survive.
Amina’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every student’s face is a hidden struggle. It challenges us to look beyond appearances and appreciate the resilience of those building their future against all odds.
Eva.D. 
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