Economic Hardship: How Osun Single Fathers Are Holding Up

In the face of rising economic challenges, single fathers in Osun State are navigating through difficulties often with little support.

As the cost of living soars and job opportunities shrink, these men have found themselves playing dual roles of provider and caregiver, balancing work with the emotional and physical demands of raising children.

“I’ve always been a farmer, but these days, what I make from the farm can barely feed us. Before, I could sell enough yam and maize to pay for school fees and other needs. Now, the cost of fertilizer alone has tripled. I struggle just to keep food on the table,” Mr. Olalade Adebayo, a 42-year-old single father of three who lives in Eleyele area in Ile Ife told Osun Defender.

Adebayo, like many other single fathers, has felt the sting of inflation and the rising cost of basic necessities. With Nigeria’s inflation rate hovering around 32.7%, prices of food, fuel, and healthcare have skyrocketed, leaving families with less disposable income.

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The situation is especially dire in Osun State, where agriculture is a primary source of livelihood for many. For single fathers, the economic downturn has been particularly brutal, as they try to meet both the financial and emotional needs of their children with little external support.

Musa Garuba, a 37-year-old commercial driver who lives in Sabo area in Ile Ife has been raising his two daughters alone since his wife passed away three years ago.

He said, “Being both a father and a mother is hard. You go out early in the morning, work all day, come back, and there’s no one to share the load. I have to help with homework, cook, and make sure they’re okay. Sometimes, I’m just too tired.”

Musa’s story is not unique. With many single fathers juggling long work hours with childcare responsibilities, burnout is a constant threat. The absence of affordable daycare or family support networks compounds the challenge, as these men must often leave their children unattended or rely on neighbors for help.

He added, “I can’t afford to hire anyone to help look after my kids. “I try to be around as much as I can, but I also need to work to feed them.”

While single mothers often have access to government or NGO support, single fathers say they are largely left out of the conversation. In Osun State, there are few social welfare programs specifically tailored to men raising children alone.

Kareem Sola, a mechanic who lives in in Ilesa said, “People don’t think single fathers need help. “They assume men can handle everything. But it’s not true. Sometimes, we also need a hand. My oldest son had to drop out of school because I couldn’t afford the fees. I feel like I’ve failed him.”

“There’s no formal support system for people like us,” he said. “If there was a way to get financial help or even counseling, it would make a difference.”

Abefe Olayemi, a businessman who lives in Ede in Osun State told Osun Defender that, “Sometimes, I meet up with my two children after work, just to talk. It helps to know I’m not alone in this. We exchange ideas on how to cope, how to stretch the little money we have. It’s not much, but it helps us keep going.”

Meanwhile, Osun Defender reports that despite the challenges, many single fathers remain hopeful and resilient. They draw strength from their children and from the belief that their hard work will eventually pay off.