Student life at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) can be exciting, but managing your finances in Bauchi is a challenge you must learn early. Whether you're living on campus or off-campus, budgeting wisely is essential for survival and academic success.
This article provides practical, student-focused budgeting tips to help you control your spending, save more, and avoid unnecessary financial stress.
📌 1. Know Your Monthly Income and Expenses
Before anything else, calculate how much money you receive monthly — from parents, scholarships, part-time work, or pocket money. Then list your essential expenses like:
- Rent (if staying off-campus)
- Feeding
- Transportation (keke, bike, taxi)
- School materials (handouts, assignments)
- Data and airtime
Tip: Create a basic spreadsheet on your phone or notebook to track this.
📌 2. Choose Affordable Accommodation
Hostel accommodation at ATBU (especially Gubi or Yelwa campus hostels) is more budget-friendly than renting off-campus houses. However, if you must stay off-campus, go for places with low rent like:
- Yelwa Tashan: Shared rooms go for ₦60,000 – ₦80,000 per year
- Rafin Zurfi and GRA: A bit costlier but safer and more developed
Bonus Tip: Team up with a roommate to split rent and utilities.
📌 3. Plan Your Meals and Avoid Excessive Eating Out
Feeding is one of the biggest expenses for students. Cooking your meals is cheaper than eating out every day.
- Buy food items in bulk from Muda Lawal Market
- Cook rice, beans, spaghetti — affordable and filling meals
- Limit eating at fast food joints to once or twice a week
Cost Breakdown: Cooking can cost ₦400–₦600 daily, while eating out might go up to ₦1,500 per day.
📌 4. Use Public or Student Transport
Bauchi’s transport system is student-friendly. Avoid taking expensive taxis unless necessary. Instead, use:
- Keke Napep: Common and cheap (₦100 – ₦200 per trip)
- Campus shuttle buses: Operate between Gubi and Yelwa at subsidized rates
Pro Tip: Learn the popular routes to avoid being overcharged.
📌 5. Buy Second-Hand Textbooks and Supplies
Don’t rush to buy new textbooks. Ask older students if they are willing to sell or give you used books.
- Check WhatsApp group chats for “tokunbo” textbooks
- Visit second-hand bookstores around Wunti or Yelwa
Bonus: ATBU lecturers sometimes provide PDFs of lecture notes. Use them!
📌 6. Monitor Your Data and Airtime Use
Internet access is vital, but data is expensive. To manage your usage:
- Use night plans for downloads
- Stick to MTN Campus Data Plans — they offer more GBs at lower costs
- Turn off auto-updates and background data
Data Hack: Subscribe to campus Wi-Fi or hotspot with a friend during group study.
📌 7. Track Every Naira You Spend
Don’t spend money without knowing where it goes. Use free budgeting apps like:
- Money Manager
- Spendee
- Or a simple notebook + calculator
Golden Rule: If it’s not in your budget, don’t spend it!
📌 8. Limit Social Outings and Impulse Shopping
It’s tempting to go out every weekend or buy every trending outfit, but remember — you're on a budget.
- Set a monthly entertainment budget and stick to it
- Attend free campus events for fun
- Buy clothes only when necessary, and check thrift markets
Fun Fact: “Yankari Second-Hand Market” offers stylish clothes for as low as ₦500.
📌 9. Avoid Unnecessary Debt
Borrowing from friends, loan apps, or “owes” at food joints can become a bad habit.
- Borrow only in emergencies
- Avoid loan apps with hidden interest rates
- Learn to say NO when friends pressure you to overspend
Warning: Some debt traps target students with “small payment, big interest.” Stay alert.
📌 10. Start Saving, Even if It’s Small
Saving as a student may seem hard, but it’s possible. Try the following:
- Save ₦200–₦500 weekly in a piggy bank or savings app
- Join a trusted ajo or thrift group with friends
- Use apps like PiggyVest or Cowrywise
Tip: Label your savings goal (e.g., “next semester handouts” or “emergency fund”).
📌 Bonus: Explore Small Side Hustles
Earn extra cash to support your budget:
- Graphics design, typing, printing, or assignments
- Sell data or airtime to hostel mates
- Freelancing (Fiverr, Upwork) if you have digital skills
Note: Balance your hustle with academics to avoid distractions.
🎯 Conclusion
Living on a student budget at ATBU is all about planning, discipline, and making smart choices. Avoid wasteful spending, track your finances, and always look for cheaper alternatives. By following these tips, you can enjoy a stable and stress-free life while focusing on your studies.
Remember, budgeting is not about depriving yourself — it’s about being in control of your finances.
📚 References
- ATBU Student Welfare Office (2025 Budgeting Seminar)
- Nmedia Survey on Student Spending Patterns in Bauchi (2025)
- Interviews with ATBU Final-Year Students
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