Campus Hustle: Nigerian Students Turn Side Gigs into Survival Strategies

By [Lawal Nafisa (U21MM2006)]

Economic pressures, unstable academic calendars, and a rising cost of living are reshaping the university experience for many Nigerian students. Increasingly, undergraduates are turning to small businesses and freelance work to support themselves. This growing phenomenon is commonly referred to on campuses as the “student hustle.”

Across federal and state universities, students are balancing academics with side gigs ranging from hairstyling and thrift fashion reselling to digital design, photography, and food vending. For many, these income-generating activities are no longer optional.

“I started baking and delivering cupcakes from my hostel room just to make ends meet,” said Abdullahi Usman, a 300-level student of Sociology at Ahmadu Bello University. “At first, it was about survival. But now it’s a business with regular clients.”

📊 Quick Poll: Do you currently run any side hustle as a student?

The rise of student entrepreneurship is largely driven by necessity. With inflation affecting the value of monthly allowances and rising tuition fees, many students report that relying solely on financial support from home is no longer realistic.

A recent survey across three Nigerian universities found that over 62% of students engage in some form of income-generating activity. Nearly half said their hustle helped cover tuition, rent, or food at some point.

“I once missed a test because I had to deliver a birthday cake to a client,” said Grace Enyinnaya, a 200-level student of Business Administration in Nsukka. “It cost me a carryover, but I needed the money that day.”

🎥 Vox Pop: What Students Say

Lecturers are beginning to notice this shift. While some express concern about the academic toll of side hustles, others admire the entrepreneurial drive.

“We need to stop viewing every hustle as a distraction,” said Ishaq Bilal of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information. “Some of these students are learning skills that might define their careers. The solution is guidance, not resistance.”

🧠 QUIZ: What Type of Hustler Are You?

Q: What motivates your hustle the most?

📊 Top Campus Hustles

Yet, there’s a cautionary tone among youth advocates who warn that hustling should not be romanticized while systemic issues like inadequate student support go unaddressed.

“It’s great that students are resourceful, but it’s also a sign that the system is failing them,” said Mariam Musa Oyiza, a youth development advocate.

Some hustlers are already planning for life after graduation. With strong client bases and digital storefronts, these students are becoming entrepreneurs before they even receive their certificates.

“I don’t see myself looking for a job after school,” said Peace Ighalo, a 400-level Economics student who runs a gift-packaging service. “I already have something growing.”

💬 Share Your Experience

As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic uncertainty, it appears the campus hustle will remain a defining feature of student life—turning survival into entrepreneurship, and hardship into resilience.