Side hustles for students in Nigeria in 2025 because of Tinubu

Here in Nigeria, under Tinubu’s leadership in 2025, we’re all feeling the weight of rising prices and the naira struggling against the dollar. It’s tough out there, and every kobo counts. But if there’s one thing we Nigerians know, it’s how to make something out of nothing.

If you’re a student in Nigeria in 2025, you’ve probably noticed how challenging it’s becoming to keep up with daily expenses, especially with the rising cost of living. With fuel prices soaring past N1,000 per liter and the naira hitting N1,700 to the dollar, every naira you earn from your side hustle could make a real difference.

Earning extra cash while studying doesn’t have to be complicated. There are numerous side hustles for students in Nigeria without messing up their schedules. You’ve got skills? Turning those skills into a side hustle is the smart move, especially when you need some extra funds for books, food, or just to treat yourself. Let’s explore practical, easy-to-start side hustles that are perfect for students in Nigeria.

Side Hustles for Students in Nigeria in 2025

Below are five different side hustles for students in this Tinubu regime that requires less to start with. Meanwhile, you can check out 15 Businesses That Run Themselves You Should Invest In

5. Snacks Business

Food is always in demand. If you’re good at cooking or baking, you can turn that talent into profit. Snacks in this section includes all variety of snacks. The variety depends on your location, target market, and personal preferences. Some popular snack options include:

• Baked Goods: Cookies, cakes, muffins, and doughnuts.
• Fried Snacks: Chips, plantains, samosas, or spring rolls.
• Healthy Snacks: Fruit bowls, granola bars, nuts, and smoothies.
• Junk Foods: Popcorn, candy, crisps, and chocolate bars.

Students, staff, and even the community around campuses are always on the hunt for quick bites that don’t break the bank. This presents a golden opportunity for you to cater to this need with snacks like plantain chips, puff-puff, popcorn, or even innovative small chops. The best part? You can start small, maybe from your hostel kitchen, with just a few basic utensils and a bit of creativity.

To start this business, you must first understand what your fellow students crave. Are they leaning towards international snacks, or do they prefer traditional Nigerian snacks? Once you’ve got your product idea, source your ingredients wisely – local markets are your friends for fresh produce like plantains or nuts. Note that you must have the knowledge about producing these snacks, so you must consider what you can do too.

You’ll also want to think about hygiene; it’s IMPORTANT for your reputation and customer health.

Now, let’s talk about selling your snacks to students. Your primary sales channels will be on-campus locations like lecture halls, hostels, and student hangout spots. Hosting a stall at school events can also skyrocket your visibility.

Don’t underestimate the power of social media; use it not just for marketing but also for taking orders for picnic, get together party and the likes. Promote your services on your school WhatsApp groups or Instagram and you can also offer a small delivery service to dorms. Try to price your snacks affordably while ensuring you have a profit margin. It’s all about volume rather than high margins per item.

As you grow, invest in equipment like a small fryer or oven to increase your production capacity. Remember, packaging might seem trivial, but clean, attractive packaging can make your snacks stand out in a crowded market.

4. Start a Small E-Commerce Business

Selling items online is one of those side hustles for students to earn consistent income. According to Statista, “By 2025, 14 percent of all sales in Nigeria are expected to be conducted over the internet, showcasing the significant shift towards digital commerce. This statistic is sourced from a forecast by Worldpay, as referenced on Statista”.

With more people turning online for their shopping needs, you can sell items online from platforms like Jumia, Konga, shopify or even from your personal social media account. If you’re unsure of what to start selling, here are few ideas:

• Clothing and Accessories: Thrift (or ‘okrika’) clothes are budget-friendly and in high demand. You can source them from major markets and resell at a profit. Customized T-shirts, jerseys, and so on
• Electronics: Sell phone accessories like chargers, earphones, and power banks.
• Beauty Products: Skincare products are trending in Nigeria, especially organic options.

Investigate what students in your school and the broader market in Nigeria are buying online. You might find a gap in the market for eco-friendly products, tech gadgets, or even specialized student supplies. Next, decide on your business model, will you keep products in stock or transfer customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer or a wholesaler, or will you source products locally or import them?

You can source products locally or resell items from popular marketplaces. You can leverage Instagram or WhatsApp for marketing. Post clear pictures, list prices, and offer delivery options. ANother option is to join Jumia or Konga’s seller programs if you prefer structured platforms.

3. Tutoring: Teach What You Know

If you’re good with tutoring, you can levergae it as a side hustle. If you can teach subjects like Maths, English, Physics, or even specialized areas like coding or digital marketing, there’s always a demand for it especially in student area. All you’ll do is simply set your desired price, teach and get paid.

You can offer your services online through platforms like Tutor.ng, Preply, or even set up your own system using Zoom or Google Meet; you can also teach offline physically by setting up a space for tutorial lesson or skill acquisition center. As a student, you have to set your time based on your availability so you won’t be keeping your students waiting for you.

Note that for a physical class, you can utilize a free hall in your campus if you can’t setup a personal space for your tutorial center.

To get started as a tutor, you’ll need to assess your strengths. What subjects or skills do you excel in? Once identified, develop a curriculum or lesson plan tailored to the needs of your students. This could mean preparing materials for different levels or focusing on exam preparation for tests like JAMB, WAEC, or NECO.

Let people around know you and what you can teach. Also, use social media to spread the word, connect with student groups, or even collaborate with schools for referrals.

2. Freelancing

If you’re looking to make some extra cash while studying, freelancing could be your best option. Today, freelancing has emerged as one of the most flexible and potentially lucrative side hustles for students. It allows you to leverage your skills or learn new ones, working on projects that fit around your academic schedule.

• Content Creation –
• Graphic Design
• Coding – Check out 15 Places to Learn How to Code in Nigeria
• Social media management
• Virtual Assistant

The beauty of freelancing is that you can start with what you know, expand your skills through online courses, and gradually build a portfolio that speaks volumes about your capabilities.

Getting started with freelancing requires that you identify your skills or areas you’re interested in. If you’re unsure, think about what you enjoy doing or what subjects you excel in at school – that could be your starting point. Next, create an impressive profile on freelancing platforms. Your profile should include your skills and samples of your work, add testimonials if you have any, and a clear description of what you offer. Keep your rates competitive, especially at the start, to attract clients.

Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal allow you to sign up and create a profile showcasing your skills. For example:

• If you’re great at writing essays, you can offer blog writing services just like the freelances that wrote this blog post.
• Good at editing pictures? Start selling photo touch-up services and graphics designs.
• Good at writing codes? You can offer this services online too.

Ensure to respond promptly to inquiries, be clear about your availability due to your student commitments, and always deliver on time. Also, don’t ignore local opportunities; your services could be needed at events and academic activities on campus, there’s a constant need for photography and graphic design. Nigerian businesses often seek freelancers for tasks like content creation or social media management.

You can also check out other ways to make money online as a student here: 15 smart ways to make money online as a student in Nigeria

Freelancing lets you pick projects that fit into your schedule. Plus, the more projects you complete, the higher you can charge—helping you save more or reduce dependency on allowances.

1. POS Business

One of the most popular side hustles for students in Nigeria these days is the POS business. This hustle is especially booming now, with more people relying on mobile banking and needing quick cash access due to the ongoing cash crunch and banking issues. With banks sometimes feeling like they’re in another world, your course mates and university community will thank you for bringing banking to them.

A POS (Point of Sale) business involves providing customers with services such as cash withdrawals, money transfers, bill payments, and sometimes even buying airtime or paying for utility bills. You make money by charging customers a small fee for every transaction they make. The best part is you don’t need to sell physical products—you just provide a service, and with the right setup, you can make money on your own terms.

Starting a POS business doesn’t require huge capital. You need a POS machine, a phone or tablet, a small startup capital and a stable internet connection. It’s one of the most affordable businesses to start in Nigeria, and it doesn’t need a physical storefront. If you’re unsure of the best POS machine you need, check out our post on 7 Best POS Machines In Nigeria.

After getting your POS machine, set up near lecture halls or in high-traffic student areas, and you’re up for business. For your capital, I often advise starting with a manageable amount that won’t put a strain on your finances; Just ensure it is at least enough for transactions. Keep your rates competitive, and offer excellent customer service, students will appreciate it.

The POS business can be run part-time, meaning you can work during your free hours or between classes. It’s a perfect hustle for students who want to earn money without compromising their studies. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand your POS business by adding more machines or even partnering with other students who are looking to start their own hustles.

Unlike businesses that require you to manage physical stock, with a POS business, you don’t need to worry about inventory, packaging, or shipping. It’s all about facilitating digital transactions.

You might want to do a rough estimate on how much you can earn with this business; don’t go far, here’s a simple estimate:

If you manage 50 transactions a day and charge an average fee of ₦100 per transaction, you could make: 50 transactions x ₦100 = ₦5,000 a day. In a month, that’s ₦150,000 in earnings! The more transactions you handle, the more you can earn!

Conclusion

Starting a side hustle doesn’t mean giving up your studies or goals, they’re a gateway to learning, independence, and future opportunities. Under Tinubu’s leadership and with the rising costs of living, these ventures offer a practical solution to the financial challenges many face today. Each hustle is an opportunity to grow skills, build networks, and earn while staying focused on your studies.

The beauty of these side hustles is their flexibility. You can start small, with minimal capital, and gradually expand. They’re not just limited to students, anyone with determination and a willingness to learn can jump in. Beyond the financial benefits, you’ll gain valuable experience in customer service, time management, and entrepreneurship, which will serve you well long after your academic journey ends.

So, what’s stopping you? Pick a hustle that resonates with you and take that first step. The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll reap the rewards. Get out there and make it happen!

We’d love to hear from you! Have you tried any of these side hustles, or do you have other ideas that could inspire fellow students? Drop your thoughts, experiences, or suggestions in the comments below.