Interview
For many Nigerian students today, education is no longer just about lectures, assignments, and exams it’s about survival.
Walk into any campus and you’ll find students balancing academics with one or more side hustles. From selling thrift clothes online to freelancing, running POS services, or even braiding hair in hostels, these hustles are not just for extra cash they are often the difference between staying in school and dropping out.
Take a typical example: a 300-level student who wakes up early to attend lectures, spends afternoons editing videos for clients, and uses nights to study. It’s a constant juggling act. The hustle culture among students has grown not out of luxury, but out of necessity driven by rising tuition fees, unstable family income, and the high cost of living, especially in cities like Lagos.
Some students rely on digital opportunities graphics design, content writing, social media management while others operate physical businesses like food vending, laundry services, or mini importation. The diversity is wide, but the motivation is the same: financial independence and stability.
But this lifestyle comes at a cost. Many students report exhaustion, poor academic performance, and little to no social life. The pressure to “make money and make grades” creates a silent struggle that often goes unnoticed.
REALITY
What kind of side hustle do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
Student (Tunde, 300-level, University of Ibadan): I do graphic design and sometimes print assignments for students. I started in my second year, around 2024, when my expenses increased.The cost of living went up—food, transport, even handouts. My monthly allowance was ₦20,000, and it couldn’t last two weeks anymore. I had to find something to support myself.
How much do you roughly make from it?
It depends on the week. On a good week, I can make ₦10,000 to ₦15,000, especially during test or project periods when people need designs and printouts. Other weeks are slower.
Does it really make a difference in your schooling?
Yes, it does. For example, last semester, I used the money to pay for my course materials and data subscription. Without it, I would have struggled a lot.I try to schedule my work around lectures. Most of my design jobs are done at night. During exams, I reduce the workload. But there are times it clashes, especially when deadlines meet.
What challenges do you face running this hustle?
Power supply is a big issue. Sometimes I can’t meet deadlines because there’s no electricity. Also, some clients delay payments or price things too low, which can be frustrating. Almost everyone I know has something POS business, baking, hairdressing, online sales. It’s becoming normal because things are hard now.
