Inside Life of a Campus Slay Queen Surviving on ₦30k Monthly

Interview by Aniekeme Bassey

How does a 22-year-old slay effortlessly on a ₦30k allowance in this economy? We caught up with Faithie, a final year student at the University of Uyo, who let us into her glam but budget-conscious life. And yes, she’s slaying on soaked garri and softcare.

First off: Who is Faithie?

Faith: My name is Faith, but everyone calls me Faithie. I'm 22 and currently in 300 level at the University of Uyo. I proudly claim the title of slay queen, but not the Instagram type with 50k followers, hahahaha, I’m the real-life slay queen of Room 8, Female Prestigious Hostel, making ₦30k look like ₦300k.

What is your background like?

Faith: Nothing fancy. My mum sells thrift clothes which we usually refer to as “OK” or bend down select. On the hand, dad is a mechanic. So we are not rich, but I have mastered the art of looking rich. It is all packaging, baby.

Let us talk about this ₦30k allowance, how do you even survive with such amount?

Faith: My parents gives me ₦30k every month, and believe me, that money sees shege. No sugar daddy, no sponsor, no boyfriend. Its just vibes and planning. I start each month with a strict budget. I break it down like this:

Faithie's Recurring Monthly Expenses

But wait ooo, Do you actually eat well on ₦15k?

Faith: I try. I mostly eat twice a day, sometimes just once. I have had days where soaked garri was dinner. I do not eat out much, but when I do, I scout the cheapest buka. Sometimes I buy only soup and make eba in the hostel. My roommate has a hotplate, and thankfully we have steady light. Cooking is illegal in our hostel, but omo, I must survive. You know as e dey be for school na.

Oh, and I shamelessly attend events for the free food. I usually go for the double portion if the gods are smiling on me.

Toiletries and self-care must be a big deal, how do you maintain the “slay”?

Faith: I use basic stuff. My body cream is ₦1000, soap ₦700. I used to buy Virony pads, but girl, inflation has taken it to the roof! Now I use Softcare which is about ₦800. If it gets worse, I switch to tissue paper (so no judge me oo).

My hair is soft and Afro-textured. I buy edge control for ₦1,000 and finesse it. Sometimes I do ₦500 all-back, or my roommates help me braid for free. As for makeup, I do not do much. Lip gloss and vibes. I am naturally pretty, abi I no fine?

Hmm, so about clothes: How do you afford clothes to maintain the SteezeLife?

Faith: That is my secret weapon which many people are not aware of. My mum, since she sells thrift, she handpicks the best stuff for me. Some outfits look like I got them from a high-end boutique. That boyfriend jean I wore yesterday? First-grade thrift. Clean and crisp.

People think I am rich because of how I look, but truth is, I sometimes skip meals just to fix my nails.

Ever feel pressured to keep up the “slay queen and Steeze” image?

Faith: All the time. I have told small lies like “I am on a diet” when I was just plain hungry. Or “I am tired” when I had no money for outings. I do it to maintain the vibe, the reputation. But I also slay for myself, it makes me feel confident.

If you had the chance to change anything, would you?

Faith: Honestly, no. I have learned survival, discipline, and how to do magic with little. Maybe someday I will tell the world how I made it through school on ₦30k. But for now, let me just apply lip gloss and keep slaying.

Thank you Fathie for sharing your experience with us, so any final words for those who might read this?

Looking good is not about money, it about sense. You just need to know how to arrange yourself and serve packaging on a budget.