The rise of sports betting among university students has become one of the loudest unspoken realities on campuses across the country. For many young people, the desire to turn little money into quick profit has transformed from a hobby into a silent trap. Students on campus shared their stories, painting a picture that is both familiar and frightening.
Adewale, a part-time student, said his betting journey began with as little as 100 naira. He said, ‘It felt innocent at first. I did not think anything serious would come out of it.’ Later, he increased his stake to ₦120,000. He said, ‘Before I knew it, I was placing multiple bets worth ₦10,000 every day.’ He looked back with a heavy sigh and added, ‘It escalated faster than I could understand.’
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He said betting looks harmless at first, but it grows into something that eats your mind. His advice to fellow students was direct. He said, ‘Avoid it. No matter how smart you think you are, the game is stronger than you.’
Some students on campus admit that a few people have made money from the system, but many others have lost far more than they ever imagined. They said betting requires discipline, yet even those with the strongest will eventually slip.
Olamide, a part two student of Broadcast Journalism, said that once you are not guided or anchored by strong self-control, the world of betting will swallow you. He said, ‘My own slip started in part one. My mother sent me ₦8,000 twice to buy slippers. I did not buy anything. I used the money to bet, and I lost everything.’
Another fresher interviewed shared that he sometimes refuses to eat because he wants to save money for more bets. He said, ‘I keep telling myself that one big win will change my life, but the hunger and anxiety keep getting worse.’ Many students described betting as a cycle that feeds on hope and fear. His friend added, ‘Once you remember your losses, you feel pushed to bet again just to recover your money. That is how people sink deeper without noticing.’
For some, the consequences have been life-threatening. A part two student who asked for anonymity said his experience with betting nearly cost him his life. He said, ‘I lost ₦120,000 in one week. The money was not even mine. A friend asked me to keep it for her hostel. The pressure almost destroyed me.’ He said he walked to the OAU dam intending to end everything. ‘When I got there, I realised death is not easy. I turned back and called a friend. I thank God I survived.’
He explained that even when you win, there is a strange force that pushes you to gamble again. He said, ‘It feels like something whispering that you can win more. That feeling is what destroys people quietly.’ His story echoes the battles many students are fighting in silence. He added that some students even go diabolical because they think it will help them win more.
Across campus, it is clear that sports betting has become a widespread habit among young people. Whether it is the search for quick cash or the thrill of taking risks, the trend continues to grow. Yet the deeper stories show that the cost is far higher than the reward.
Students like Adewale and Olamide are urging their peers to step back and think twice. They believe that campus life is already difficult, and adding the pressure of betting only makes it harder. They said a good society should discourage it and that any student who lacks strong self-control should stay far away from it.
The appeal is simple. Betting may look like an easy win, but for many students, it has become a dangerous journey. Their experiences serve as a reminder that not every quick path to wealth leads forward. Some paths lead to regret and recovery, while others almost lead to the end.