💡 Quick Definition:
A side hustle is any income-generating activity you do outside of your main job or studies to increase your earnings and build financial stability.
Introduction
The cost of living in Nigeria keeps rising, but salaries and allowances don’t always keep up. That’s why more young people are looking for side hustles; flexible ways to make money alongside their main commitments.
Whether you’re a student in Nigeria, a young professional, or simply someone asking, “What side hustle can I do to make money?”This guide will show you how to start.
We’ll cover:
- Side hustle ideas for students in Nigeria
- Practical answers to: “What side hustle can I do to make money?”
- What is the best side hustle in Nigeria right now
- Plus: tools and resources you can use, including my book Rich, Young & African, free templates, and courses.
1. Side Hustle for Students in Nigeria
Many students think you need to graduate before you start earning. But the truth is: your student years are the best time to experiment with hustles. You have time, networks, and an audience (your fellow students).
💡 Side Hustle Ideas for Students:
- Tutoring: Teach subjects you’re strong in and get paid per class.
- Mini-Importation & Reselling: Order affordable items online (watches, bags, gadgets) and sell on campus.
- Content Creation: Share your journey or comedy on TikTok/YouTube. Students are trendsetters online.
- Freelance Services: Offer graphic design, writing, or social media help to small businesses.
👉 Pro Tip: Start small and scale. A ₦5,000 hustle today can become a ₦50,000/month income stream by graduation.
📖 In my eBook, No Captial? No Problem: How To Start A Side Hustle (Even When You’re Broke), I walk through how students can identify skills they already have and turn them into money-making opportunities.
2. What Side Hustle Can I Do to Make Money?
If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone. Millions of young Africans wonder the same thing every day. The best side hustle for you depends on three factors:
- Your Skills – What can you already do (writing, photography, cooking)?
- Your Time – How many hours per week can you dedicate?
- Your Resources – Do you have internet access, a laptop, or just a smartphone?
Easy Side Hustle Ideas (Low Cost, Quick Start):
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products online and earn commissions.
- Delivery/Errand Services: Especially in urban areas.
- Event Services: Photography, ushering, DJ gigs.
- Print-on-Demand Merchandise: Sell T-shirts or mugs with funny/relatable quotes.
👉 If you’re unsure where to start, I created a free Hustler’s Cheat Sheet. It helps you figure out which skills you already have and can monetize.
📥 Download it here: Hustle Cheat Sheet
3. What is the Best Side Hustle in Nigeria?
The “best” side hustle depends on trends, your interests, and market demand. But right now in Nigeria, some hustles are outperforming others.
Trending Side Hustles in Nigeria:
- Tech Freelancing (web design, coding, UI/UX) is in high demand worldwide.
- Content Creation (TikTok, YouTube Shorts): Monetization potential is huge.
- E-commerce Reselling: People always buy essentials like clothes, shoes, and gadgets.
- Food Businesses: snacks, meal prep, or delivery services.
- Financial Coaching / Digital Products: If you’ve mastered a skill, package it into an eBook or course.
📘 In Rich, Young & African, I share African case studies of young people who turned these hustles into long-term wealth.
The “best” hustle isn’t just about quick cash. It’s about choosing one you can grow into a business or brand.
4. Why Every Young African Needs a Side Hustle
Beyond money, a side hustle gives you:
- Skills – You’ll learn marketing, sales, and customer service.
- Independence – Less reliance on one job or allowance.
- Opportunities – Hustles often grow into full businesses.
- Confidence – You prove to yourself you can create wealth.
That’s why I started the Rich, Young & African Initiative to give young Africans the tools and mindset to turn small hustles into real financial freedom.
5. Personal Finance Meets Side Hustles
Here’s the truth: A side hustle won’t make you rich if you keep overspending. Many Nigerians earn well but stay broke because of poor financial habits.
That’s why I recommend pairing your hustle with smart money management:
- Track income and expenses with my free Budgeting Template.
- Apply the ₦1,000 Rule before every purchase (would you still buy it if it cost ₦1,000 more?).
- Save & reinvest a portion of your hustle profits instead of consuming it all.
✅ FAQs on Side Hustles in Nigeria
Q: Can I start a side hustle with zero capital?
A: Yes. Services like tutoring, freelancing, or content creation need little to no money to start.
Q: What’s the best side hustle for students?
A: Tutoring, reselling items, and freelancing are great because they fit student schedules.
Q: How much can I realistically earn from a side hustle in Nigeria?
A: Depending on the hustle, anywhere from ₦20,000 to ₦200,000+ per month. Consistency matters.
Q: Should I quit my job for a side hustle?
A: Not immediately. A hustle should prove itself first. Keep your main income until the hustle grows stable.
Q: Where can I learn more about building wealth as a young African?
A: My book Rich, Young & African is a practical guide to wealth creation tailored for Africans aged 18–35.
Conclusion
A side hustle in Nigeria isn’t just about survival. It’s about building financial independence and preparing for a future where you’re not limited by one income source.
Whether you’re a student, graduate, or young professional, the right hustle combined with smart financial habits can change your story.
🚀 Your Next Steps:
- 📖 Get my book Rich, Young & African for practical strategies on wealth and hustling.
- 📥 Download the free Side Hustle Cheat Sheet Template to organize and track your hustle.
- 📖 Grab my eBook No Captial? No Problem: How To Start A Side Hustle (Even When You’re Broke) to learn how to start that side hustle today.
Financial freedom starts with one step. Take it today.