September in Nigeria is not just another month on the calendar—it’s a season of chaos, bargaining, emotional drama, and survival.
For parents, it’s the time when “Oya, school don start again” echoes through every corner of the house. For children, it’s goodbye to late-night cartoons and hello to homework, uniforms, and 5:30 a.m. wake-up calls.
Picture this: Mrs. Ade, a Lagos mother of three, standing in the middle of Balogun Market, sweat dripping down her face as she haggles for school shoes. One hand holds her phone with the school’s never-ending requirements list, while the other hand clutches her bag tightly because, well, Lagos. She mutters, “This people sef, why dem dey increase price of socks every year?” Welcome to the real September reality, where love for your children collides with the cost of living.
Back-to-school in Nigeria isn’t just about buying stationery; it’s about preparation, sacrifice, and strategy. If you’re a parent, here are ways to make the transition smoother for both you and your child.
1. Mind Your Budget—Because Prices Never Smile
Every Nigerian parent knows September equals expenses. School fees, uniforms, textbooks, transport, even lunch packs, all of them arrive at once. To avoid hypertension, create a back-to-school budget. Break it down: school fees first, then essentials like uniforms and books, and lastly extras like new gadgets or fancy lunch boxes.
Shop smart. Lagos markets like Mushin or Balogun may be crowded, but they often have cheaper options than big malls. Remember, your child doesn’t need a ₦50,000 pencil case to pass mathematics.
2. Ease Them Out of Holiday Mode
Children have a way of stretching the holiday mood till October if you’re not careful. Start resetting their body clock a week before resumption. Introduce earlier bedtimes and wake-up calls gradually, so the first day of school doesn’t look like a war zone.
Turn it into fun. Maybe practice school mornings with mock alarms or light chores. That way, their brains slowly accept the reality that Netflix has ended, and school has resumed.
3. Emotional Preparation Matters Too
School resumption isn’t just stressful for parents, it’s also tough on kids. Some face anxiety about new classmates, higher classes, or even bullying. Have heart-to-heart conversations. Reassure them with lines like, “You’ve got this. Remember how well you did last term?”
If your child is moving to a new school, visit the school compound beforehand. Let them see the environment so it doesn’t feel strange on Day 1. Emotional stability boosts academic performance more than you think.
4. Health And Nutrition—Don’t Ignore It
Back to school also means back to germs. Crowded classrooms = runny noses everywhere. Ensure your child is eating healthy meals and, if possible, do a quick medical check-up before resumption.
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Pack balanced lunchboxes, not just meat pies and Capri-Sonne. Protein, fruits, and water go a long way in keeping children alert during long classes. A healthy child is a focused child.
5. Don’t Forget Yourself As A Parent
Parents often carry the biggest burden during this season. Between late-night lesson planning, transport runs, and endless payments, burnout is real. Find small ways to take care of yourself too. Share the school run duties if possible. Budget your time as much as you budget your money.
Because here’s the truth: a stressed parent raises stressed children.
The September Rush
September’s back-to-school madness will always test Nigerian parents. But with planning, budgeting, emotional support, and a little humour, it doesn’t have to drain you.
The back-to-school season is not just about survival, it’s also a reminder of how much parents sacrifice to secure a better future for their children. And if you ever doubt yourself, remember: no child forgets the effort their parents put into making education possible.
