PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND RISING COST OF LIVING ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN IHIALA L.G.A

Abstract

This study examined the perceived influence of fuel subsidy removal and the rising 
cost of living on students’ academic performance in Ihiala Local Government Area of 
Anambra State. The study was guided by four research questions and adopted a 
descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 10,819 students in 
Ihiala Local Government Area during the 2025/2026 academic session. A sample of 
250 students was selected from the participating schools using simple random and 
purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using a self-structured 
questionnaire titled Fuel Subsidy Removal and Rising Cost of Living on Students’ 
Academic Performance Questionnaire (FSRRCLSPQ). The instrument was validated 
by two experts in the Department of Educational Foundations, Nnamdi Azikiwe 
University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach’s 
alpha, which yielded an internal consistency coefficient of 0.86, indicating that the 
instrument was reliable for the study. Data collected were analysed using mean and 
standard deviation. The findings revealed that fuel subsidy removal and the rising cost 
of living had a significant influence on students’ academic performance in Ihiala 
Local Government Area. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government and other relevant stakeholders should provide adequate educational 
support, including scholarships, bursaries, and other forms of financial assistance, to 
cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal and the rising cost of living on students’ 
academic performance in the study area.