This article is about how to make money as a student in Nigeria.
Maybe you’re struggling to cover expenses while in school.
Perhaps you would like to pay for something important in the not-too-distant future, and want to raise the funds early enough.
Or you just like the idea of making money early on in your life, to give you a financial head start, plus some entrepreneurial experience.
If you have ever asked the question, “how can I make money as a student?” this article is for you.
Read on to find out ideas for making money in Nigeria while you’re still studying for a degree, diploma, or other certification program in higher education.
Why You Should Learn How to Make Money as a Student
Being a student comes with more than just academic pressure.
Between skyrocketing school fees, the rising cost of food and transport, unreliable power supply, and constant strikes, many students find themselves needing extra cash to survive.
And that’s not to talk of enjoying campus life.
But with tight schedules, limited capital, and little to no job opportunities within school environments, many students feel stuck. It seems hard to cover the financial bases.
Here’s good news: You can earn money as a student in Nigeria, flexibly and legally, even with minimal capital…if you play smart and use what you have.
This article shows you some flexible and realistic ways to make money as a student while balancing their studies.
Freelancing (Online Skills You Can Offer Remotely)
Freelancing is one of the best income options for students who have digital skills. If you’re good at writing, graphic design, video editing, social media management, programming, or even voiceovers, there’s demand for your skills online.
The great part? You can even earn in foreign currency by serving global clients.
Explore these platforms for opportunities to earn as a freelancer:
You’ll need data, consistency, and sometimes training. But there are free YouTube tutorials to help you build your skills.
Start small. Offer your services on WhatsApp, Twitter (now X), and to other students before going global.
Tutoring (Online or In-Person)
If you’re academically strong in certain subjects, offer tutoring services to secondary school students or even your coursemates.
These are the subjects in demand:
- Maths
- Physics
- Chemistry
- English
- WAEC/UTME coaching
You can teach students in your area or offer classes via Zoom/WhatsApp. Parents are always looking for affordable tutors who understand the Nigerian curriculum.
Campus-Based Services
You don’t always need the internet to make money. Think about common student needs and how you can meet them.
Some examples include:
- Typing
- Barbing or hair styling
- Manicure/pedicure
- Laundry service
- Cooking or baking (e.g. snacks, small chops)
- Selling thrift clothes or shoes (okrika)
These services can be done from your hostel or around campus with very little start-up capital.
Campus Brand Ambassador or Influencer
Some companies (especially fintechs, data companies, and brands targeting youth) look for students to represent them on campus.
If you’re great at bringing people together (forming communities offline or online), communication (spoken and/or written), and are a fast learner, this type of opportunity might be what you need.
As an ambassador or influencer, your responsibilities may include:
- Promoting products to students
- Creating awareness through events or social media
- Collecting sign-ups or leads
Businesses that recruit campus ambassadors or student influencers often pay commissions, stipends, or give bonuses for performance.
Look out for such opportunities on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), or directly on brand (company) pages.
Academic Services
Not everyone loves writing. If you do, you can make money as a student from helping those who aren’t very enthusiastic about lengthy writing assignments. Some of those students are willing to pay for these things:
- CV writing
- Typing and formatting
- PowerPoint design
If you’re good at them, you can offer services to final year students, business owners, or job seekers.
We encourage you to be ethical. Don’t help others cheat or submit false academic work.
Photography and Videography
If you have an affordable phone (even if it’s a fairly used phone you’ve purchased for a fraction of the cost), or basic camera, you can offer these things:
- Passport photos
- Event coverage
- Social media content shoots
- Video editing
Campuses are always buzzing with events — birthday shoots, pageantry, conferences, and more. If you’re creative, there’s money to be made.
Resell Airtime, Data, or Utility Bills
Here’s how to make money as a student in Nigeria in a manner that’s familiar, one that many Nigerian students use to make small steady profits.
There are many apps that you can use for this:
- VTU.ng
- Recharge2Cash
- Palmpay or Opay
- JumiaPay
You earn small commissions for each transaction.
The secret to growing this small time hustle is building a loyal customer base. You can do this by being the go-to for airtime, data, or utility recharge among your classmates, for instance.
You may also sell to people in other groups that you’re a member of, such as campus fellowship, indigene associations, and campus affiliates of professional bodies.
Important Tip: Learn a Skill with Free Resources
If you don’t have any marketable skill yet, don’t panic. Many Nigerian students started with nothing but their phone and free data nights.
Here are some free learning platforms:
- YouTube (endless tutorials)
- Coursera (free courses with financial aid)
- Google Digital Skills for Africa
- LinkedIn Learning (some parts free)
- Khan Academy
Pick one skill and dedicate time to it — graphic design, digital marketing, social media management, coding, etc.
Final Words
That’s how to make money as a student in Nigeria.
It’s not always easy, but it’s possible with consistency, creativity, and smart use of your resources.
The important thing is to focus on building value and relationships. Over time, the money will follow. Don’t try to do everything. Start with one hustle, master it, and scale gradually.
While trying to solve your financial problems, don’t forget why you’re in school. Your academics should remain top priority. So, choose income sources that are flexible and won’t disrupt your studies.
You don’t need plenty money to start. What you need is a strategy that can work, and a determination to succeed.
Bonne Chance!
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