For thousands of university students across Nigeria, the final year is often imagined as the triumphant last lap of a long academic journey. Yet investigative findings by The Nigeria Education News reveal that for many undergraduates, the period is less about celebration and more about survival, as they navigate academic pressure, financial strain, mental health challenges, and uncertainty about life after graduation.
Interviews conducted across several campuses including Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Ibadan, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Federal University Oye‑Ekiti, Osun State University, Redeemer’s University, Adeleke University, University of Calabar, University of Ilorin, and University of Jos show a strikingly similar narrative: the final year often exposes the structural and personal pressures embedded in Nigeria’s higher education system.
Students interviewed described the period as a mixture of excitement and anxiety. While many anticipate the pride of completing their studies, the workload associated with final-year projects, examinations, and clearance processes frequently creates a climate of intense academic stress.
At Obafemi Awolowo University, several students told The Nigeria Education News that balancing project work, examinations, and personal commitments often becomes overwhelming. A broadcast journalism student, who asked not to be named, described the experience as “both exciting and exhausting,” noting that the desire to graduate with strong academic results often heightens the pressure.
Similarly, at Federal University of Technology Akure and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, engineering students interviewed reported that final-year design projects and laboratory work demand long hours and extensive supervision. Some students noted that delays in project approvals or access to laboratory facilities can prolong the process and increase anxiety among those hoping to graduate with their peers.
Students at University of Ibadan echoed similar sentiments, particularly regarding the pressure to maintain high cumulative grade point averages. One student from the Faculty of Arts said the expectation to graduate with a specific grade classification such as a first class or second class upper creates an additional layer of mental strain during the final year.
Financial pressures also emerged as a recurring theme across campuses. At Federal University Oye‑Ekiti and Osun State University, students reported that project printing costs, field research expenses, and clearance fees often stretch already limited personal finances. Some final-year students said they rely heavily on family support or part-time work to cover these expenses.
At private institutions such as Redeemer’s University and Adeleke University, students interviewed acknowledged that while academic structures are often more streamlined, the cost of tuition and project-related requirements can still create significant pressure toward the end of their programmes.
Mental health concerns were also widely reported among final-year students. At University of Calabar and University of Jos, some students said sleep disruption and anxiety are common during the final semester, particularly when examinations coincide with project deadlines.
A geology student interviewed at Obafemi Awolowo University said the pressure had affected her daily routine. “Sometimes it is not the workload itself but the fear of making a mistake at the final stage,” she explained, noting that the thought of repeating a course or delaying graduation can be deeply unsettling.
Despite these challenges, many students acknowledged the positive role played by supportive lecturers and mentors. At University of Ilorin, several students praised lecturers who make time to guide final-year projects and clarify complex academic concepts, describing such support as crucial to navigating the demanding final phase of their studies.
Faith, family support, and peer encouragement also emerged as key coping mechanisms. Students across multiple campuses said encouragement from friends and relatives often helps them remain focused during periods of academic fatigue and uncertainty.
Education analyst, Dr. Tosin Joshua from Osun State says the findings reflect a broader reality in Nigeria’s university system, where the final year concentrates several academic and administrative requirements into a short timeframe. According to him, improving academic advising, expanding mental health services, and reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks in project supervision and clearance processes could significantly ease the pressure on graduating students.
For many undergraduates, however, the determination to cross the finish line remains the strongest motivation. As one student at Osun State University put it: “At this stage, it’s not just about graduating with the best grade. Sometimes it’s simply about finishing the race.”
Across campuses nationwide, the final year continues to represent both the culmination of years of academic effort and a test of resilience where students strive not only to finish strong, but sometimes just to finish at all.
