Olusegun Adeyemo
As public and private schools in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, prepare for the resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session, parents and booksellers have raised concerns over the rising cost of educational materials.
A visit by The Journal correspondent to bookshops in the Bere area revealed that prices of textbooks, notebooks, and other school supplies have surged significantly, with increases ranging between 20 and 50 percent compared to last year.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Booksellers Association in Bere, Orita, Mapo, Mr. Ajibola Alaba, attributed the sharp hike in prices to the current economic situation in the country. He lamented that the increase has resulted in low patronage, as many parents are struggling to meet their children’s educational needs.
Mr. Alaba noted that a 40-leaf notebook that previously sold for ₦600 now goes for ₦2,400, while a 60-leaf notebook has risen from ₦800 to ₦3,400. He added that prices of higher education notebooks have also soared, with some now selling for as high as ₦8,000.
“Compared to previous years, the number of parents coming to buy school supplies has dropped drastically,” he said.
Two parents who spoke with The Journal expressed concern that the skyrocketing costs have forced them to prioritize only the most essential books on their children’s lists. They regretted that prices of books and learning materials have almost doubled within a year, putting a strain on household budgets.
Both parents and booksellers have therefore called on government authorities to intervene and address the rising costs to ease the burden on families as schools resume.
