It’s that time of year again. Lagos traffic is heavier, bookshops in Yaba are packed, and school uniform sellers at Balogun Market are hiking prices with the confidence of oil marketers. September is here, and for Nigerian parents, it’s not just “back to school”, it’s back to reality.

Take the story of Mrs. Adesuwa, a mother of three living in Surulere. Every September, she faces the same ritual: hustling between markets to buy school shoes that won’t fall apart before Christmas, negotiating with teachers over PTA levies, and gently coaxing her youngest child to stop crying about summer’s end. “Sometimes, it feels like we parents are the ones writing exams,” she says.

But beneath the laughter is a serious truth: back-to-school is one of the most financially and emotionally demanding periods for Nigerian families.

So, how can parents like Adesuwa prepare their children (and themselves) for the new term without losing their minds — or their entire salary?

Let’s break it down.

1. Budget Beyond Fees

Many parents make the mistake of thinking school fees are the finish line. In Nigeria, they’re only the starting line. There’s transportation, uniforms, textbooks, lesson notes, snacks, excursions, and “voluntary contributions” that are never really voluntary.

Here’s what to do.

Sit down with a pen and paper (or an Excel sheet if you’re tech-savvy) and list all potential expenses. Build in an emergency cushion because, in a Nigerian school, a surprise “development levy” can appear like NEPA bringing darkness.

2. Prioritise Emotional Preparation

Children often return to school anxious after weeks of freedom. They worry about new teachers, higher classwork, or fitting in with classmates. Lagos kids in particular may have spent the summer on YouTube or TikTok, only to face the discipline of early morning assembly again.

Talk to your children about what to expect. For younger ones, role-play school routines — waking up early, packing bags, or wearing uniforms. For teenagers, discuss peer pressure and mental health openly. Back-to-school is not just about books; it’s about building resilience.

3. Shop Smart, Shop Local

Inflation has turned back-to-school shopping into a battlefield. A pair of school shoes that cost ₦7,000 last year might be ₦15,000 today.

Don’t fall for flashy malls. Lagos has thriving local markets like Oshodi, Mushin, and Balogun, where durable school supplies can be bought at half the price, if you bargain like you are actually in Tinubu’s regime. Also, consider thrift (“okrika”) uniforms and shoes. Children outgrow clothes faster than you can say “second term.”

4. Set Routines Early

One of the hardest shifts for children is moving from “holiday mode” (waking up at 10 a.m., watching cartoons, eating Indomie at midnight) back into school mode.

A week before school resumes, enforce sleeping and waking times. Let kids start reading or revising lightly so the first day of school doesn’t feel like being thrown into third mainland traffic without warning.

5. Invest In Learning Tools, Not Just Status Symbols

Nigerian parents sometimes buy gadgets to show status — the latest iPad, a designer backpack — but neglect educational support. A child with ₦100,000 sneakers but no dictionary is being set up for failure.

Invest in what builds capacity — textbooks, learning apps, after-school tutoring if necessary. Education is not a fashion show; it’s preparation for life.

6. Teach Independence

Children thrive when they know how to take small responsibilities. A nine-year-old should be able to pack their own bag, polish their shoes, and keep track of assignments.

Don’t do everything for them. Start with small tasks. Independence builds confidence, and confidence fuels learning.

7. Keep Health In Check

The first weeks of a new term often bring flu, catarrh, and endless sickbay visits. Combine crowded classrooms, poor ventilation, and rainy-season weather, and you have a recipe for germs.

Also Read: WAEC 2026: 5 Things That Will Likely Happen When Nigeria Dumps Paper For CBT

Make sure your children eat well, get enough sleep, and take basic vitamins if needed. Hand sanitizers and water bottles should be part of the school kit.

8. Nurture Character, Not Just Grades

In Nigeria, parents sometimes pressure children to come first in class, as though life only rewards first position. But today’s world rewards creativity, kindness, leadership, and problem-solving.

Encourage your children to do their best, but remind them that success is bigger than report cards. Teach honesty, discipline, and empathy — these are the real tools for the future.

September In Nigeria

September in Nigeria is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a reminder that despite economic hardship, fuel queues, and rising costs, parents still sacrifice to give their children a fighting chance.

Every biro bought at Ojuelegba market, every ₦50 change saved for school snacks, every late night of homework supervision, it all adds up to love in action.