By Abdulrasheed Olokoto

Across Nigeria’s universities and colleges, a growing number of students are embracing entrepreneurship as more than just a side hustle.

From vocational services like hairdressing and barbing to digital businesses such as graphic design, social media management, and freelancing, students have cultivated the industrious culture of juggling academics with entrepreneurial endeavors.

The rise in student entrepreneurship is notably driven by economic exigencies, including the rising cost of living, and limited financial support from home, which compel students to seek additional income sources to complement their allowances.

For some students, financial support and sponsorship of their education are nothing but wishful thinking, making side hustles not just optional, but a necessity.

Some students of the University of Ibadan shared their experiences and the challenges attached to their businesses in interviews with IndyPress.

Making Money and Dealing with Challenges 

Akanbi AbdulBaqi, a Microbiology student and social media manager, explained what motivated him into his current financial endeavor.

According to Akanbi, his drive to hustle stemmed from the lack of final support from his parents. “When someone comes from a background where he is not receiving money every time, it inspires him to do something to earn an income without depending on the little he receives from home,” he explained.

Considering the academic workload that comes with being a student of the University of Ibadan, juggling a side hustle he warned could pose immense challenges.

“It is actually hard to balance it with academics but I do try my best. What happens most times is, when we are close to the exam period, I do not work. However, during the class period, I shuffle classes with work. Since it is mostly online work, I focus on it at night,” he added.

Adeoye Daniel, best known as Captain, a Law student, earns from servicing haircuts on campus. He learned the skill in 2021 at a local barbershop before his admission to the University of Ibadan. He started commercial haircuts on campus when he realized many students found it stressful to leave their hostels for distant barbing saloons.

He said, “If I am in Indy and I have the requisite skill to barb hair, I don’t see any point in not doing it,” he said. “Some students find it difficult or stressful to go from their halls to different areas on campus to barb their hair. So I took it upon myself to help them. That way, it solves the problem.”

Despite turning down some clients due to tight schedules, he earns ₦3,500 per week approximately.

Explaining the challenges attached to his business, Daniel stated, “Well, the balancing has not been easy at all. It was easy in my first year as I wasn’t doing too many courses and had lots of free periods. However, my sophomore year has been different because I’m taking full faculty courses. I had to strategize, and I came up with the appointment method.”

“If anyone wants to barb, they give me notice and we choose a date convenient for both of us. Sometimes we do it the same day I’m informed, as long as I’m not occupied with academics. This method works for both parties because they’re also students and understand how it is,” he explained.

Sodiq Hammed, a student of Communication and Language Arts, operates under his brand named Sperrow Design, offering painting, printing, and design services. He acknowledged the impact of his parents on the establishment of his business.

“My parents took me to the place to learn the work and after learning it, I had to practice. So basically, I can say my parents motivated me to do it. And I didn’t get financial support, so I had to find a financial means,” he said.

Sodiq sees his side-hustle business as the life blood of his survival, describing it as his sustenance on campus. Just like other student entrepreneurs, Sodiq encounters challenges in the course of hunting for daily bread.

“It is really tough. So, it is not really balanced because I have to give so much time to my business — that is what keeps me in school. So, I try to maneuver my way. I miss some classes, though I try my best to balance it,” Hammed explained.

Another student, Bamigbade Ayomide, a Law student, offers tutoring in Religious Studies for Post-UTME students. He applied for the position after seeing a vacancy in his class group.

Bamigbade told IndyPress that his passion for financial independence and the desire to help others motivated him to take the job.

“One of the cogent reasons for starting was the fact that I was looking for a means to relieve my parents of some financial burdens they have towards me. Also, it is an avenue for me to impact the lives of these people,” he said.

Ayomide stressed the importance of prioritizing academics over entrepreneurial endeavors.

“Knowing that my first assignment in school is my academics, exchanging anything for it will make me ungrateful for the efforts of my parents. I have to put more effort into my studies and try to prepare ahead of classes,” he said.

He added that even during exams, he continued teaching, trusting God for strength to keep going.

Fakorede Jesse, a Wood Engineering student, runs FHG, a hybrid business with both online and offline components. Jesse told IndyPress that what attracted him to the entrepreneurial endeavor was its lucrativity.

“The benefits of my side hustle are wide and varied, and if it is built well, it will curb financial issues,” he said.

Jesse acknowledged the demanding nature of his endeavor, citing that it takes much of his time and energy.

“It is hard to balance at the beginning, but someone just has to find the balance that works, create a structure and system that works, then the person will have no problem in building both business and academics together,” Jesse said.

While balancing a side hustle with academic work can be demanding, it has become a practical way for many students to meet their needs. For some, entrepreneurship also serves as a path toward financial independence.