How to Make Money as a Student in Nigeria 2025

There are three classes of students on campus: the ones who like money, the ones who love money and the ones who love to make money. Right now, you probably belong to the first or second classes and are looking for the easiest way to transition to the third. 

I understand. I, myself, am a medical student who does blog writing on the side. 

And I’m sure we can all agree that having access to extra cash makes surviving on campus a little easier. 

So, from a fellow student to a fellow student, I have decided to put this article together. Here, I’ll highlight seven easy ways to make money as an undergraduate. I will also include tips on how to choose the right side hustle for you.

7 Ways to Make Money as a Student in Nigeria 2025

There are many ways to make money as a Nigerian student. Some of them include blogging, content creation, monetising your tech skills, offline marketing, gift card swapping, event planning, and tutoring.

1. Content Writing:

I’m putting this one as number one because it is my own side hustle, and if you are a student who loves to write, then you should consider writing articles for money.

As a content writer, you can write blogs on a wide range of topics. Whether it’s food, health, fashion, sports, tech, or finance, you can write on it as long as it interests you.

But before you jump into content writing, I’ll tell you something that can help your writing career.

There are two major ways to make money from content writing. Yes. Two major ways, and you don’t have to restrict yourself to any one.

The first is by starting your own blog and growing your audience. After you have grown a reliable audience, you can liaise with brands and get paid to promote their products on your blog.

Honestly, this method takes time to scale up, but when it does, you will make good money from it.

The second way to make money from writing is by reaching out to brands that already have a blog and pitching your writing services to them for a decent fee. This is more straightforward, and you don’t need to build anything from scratch.

2. Content Creation:

These days, all it takes to create quality videos is a good camera, a tripod stand, and decent lighting.

And if you can create stunning videos with these three things, then it is time to start making money from content creation, just like some of my friends.

Now, as a student content creator, your main focus should be to work with brands and help them showcase their products. In your videos, you can explain the benefits of such products, how to use them, and why people should buy them.

The best part about content creation is that brands, big and small, are always looking for visibility, and they’re willing to pay creators who can give them that.

If you play your cards right, their need for promotion can turn into a steady income for you, even as a student.

But to grow in this space, you’ll need to build your social media presence and position yourself as a voice people can trust.

3. Monetising Your Tech Skill:

I have this theory that most Nigerian undergraduates attended a computer school at one time before getting into the university.

Well, whether you learnt your tech skills before or after coming to the university, it is time to start making money from them.

Tech skills like graphic design, web development, and data analysis are currently in high demand. And with the constant rise of startups, there is someone in HR looking to hire someone with your skills.

To start making money from your tech skills, work on sample projects and build your portfolio. You should also get ready to talk about your skills to your friends or on social media.

You can also look for other students on campus or attend tech events in order to build your network and increase your chances of landing a good job.

4. Offline Marketing:

I don’t know if I am the only one, but there’s this joy I get from knowing that I can easily get something from a student plug instead of dancing around in the market.

This brings us to the third side hustle you can do as a student — offline marketing.

Listen, the best place to sell physical goods is on campus!

The lovely part about offline marketing is that whether it’s perfumes, hair accessories, clothes, shoes, or stationery, students are always in demand for everyday essentials.

But before you start offline marketing, you need to carry out a quick survey and find out what students are constantly in need of. You don’t want to trade items like car parts when only a few students have cars.

Once you figure that out, choose what you want to sell, fix your price, and promote it.

The only catch with offline marketing is that you’ll need a good amount of capital to get started. But if done well, you’ll make a good profit.

5. Gift Card Swapping:

I just recently came across gift card swapping and how students can make money from it, so permit me to include it here.

Firstly, you should know that gift cards are like credit cards that you can use to buy things from companies. A good example is using an Amazon gift card to buy things from Amazon.

This seems like a good idea until you realise that most gift cards are region-restricted. This means you cannot use them outside the country from which they were purchased.

Now, many Nigerians receive gift cards from family or friends abroad, but cannot use them due to the country restriction issue.

This is where you step in.

As a student, you can help people convert their gift cards to cash using platforms like Cardtonic while you earn a commission or service fee for helping out.

For example, if a $200 Apple gift card is 210,000 naira on Cardtonic. You can help the person sell it while you charge a 2% service rate. The person gets their agreed-upon money, and you get a commission.

On a more adventurous note, there is another angle to gift card swapping.

You can buy gift cards when rates are low and wait to resell when the rates go up. However,  I would not advise you to try this method because the rates can also drop, and you might lose money.

6. Event Planning:

If you’re the one always organising your friends’ hangouts or even your departmental events, then you should start considering event planning as a side hustle.

You can reach out to department presidents or social directors and offer to plan their dinners, picnics, or hangouts for a decent fee.

Also, if you have some starting capital, you can also buy basic decorations and rent them out for extra income.

Event planning will work well for you if you enjoy managing projects and love seeing things through to the end. Luckily, there is always one event or another happening on campus, so you won’t run out of business.

7. Tutoring

I genuinely believe that everyone in the university is intelligent. The only difference between people is how fast they learn.

Hence, if you are someone who grasps concepts quickly, tutoring can be a great way to earn money.

The most profitable approach to tutoring is teaching students in the lower-level topics you’ve already mastered as a senior.

It’s one of the best side hustles for Nigerian university students because it blends academics and income perfectly. You’re basically getting paid to revise and teach what you already know.

How to Choose the Right Side Hustle as a Student in Nigeria

Like I said earlier, there are countless ways to make money as a student in Nigeria. But let’s be honest, not every hustle is meant for you.

What most people fail to realise is that there is no perfect balance between school and a side hustle. This is why it’s important to pick something that complements your studies, not competes with them.

Now, before you choose a side hustle as a Nigerian student, below are 7 simple questions you need to answer:

1. How demanding is your course, and how much time can you realistically spare weekly for this hustle?
2. What piques your interest outside your studies?
3. Do you have any skill set you can start monetising now?
4. How big do you want to scale your side hustle?
5. Do you need money urgently, or can you play the long game?
6. Are you more of an online or offline person?
7. Do you have capital, tools, or resources to get started?

Feel free to make a list of things you want to try out, then use your answer to these questions to streamline your options. With time, you’d gain clarity and pick the right side hustle for you.

Frequently Asked Questions on Making Money Online as a Student

1. Can I Make Money Online as a Student in Nigeria?

Yes, you can make money online with just a mobile device, an internet connection, and access to the right information. Some of the ways you can earn online include selling gift cards, creating content for brands, and offering simple digital services. 

2. Where Can I Learn a Tech Skill as a Student in Nigeria?

You can start learning a tech skill for free by using AI tools to create a study outline, then watch YouTube tutorials for each topic. When you have some money, you can take paid beginner-friendly courses on platforms like Udemy or Coursera.

3. How Can I Make Money as a Student in Nigeria for Free?

Start a side hustle that doesn’t need capital. You can write for blogs, sell your tech skills, or help people exchange gift cards. Just make sure you learn how to market yourself so customers can find you.

4. Which Platforms Can I Use to Make Money Online as a Student in Nigeria?

There are many platforms to make money as a student. Some of them include Cardtonic, which lets you earn by helping people exchange gift cards. You can also use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or TikTok to sell your skills, products, or services.

Freelance sites such as Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn can also help you connect with customers who need your skills.

5. What Business Can I Start With 5000 Naira as a Student? 

Given the current economy, there are not so many options at your disposal. However, you can start a petty business like bead making, selling snacks, and hair accessories to coursemates. It all boils down to what is in demand within your school and what you can do with ₦5000.

6. Can I Start a POS Business with 20k?

Yes, you can start a POS business with 20k as a Nigerian student. However, it is going to be small-scale initially, and there will be a limit to the amount of cash you have to dispense. But if you reinvest your profit back into the business, and give it your all, you will scale up in no time.

Conclusion

Finding what works for you when it comes to making money as a student does not happen in one day. You will need to try a few things before discovering what truly fits.

But if you take the time to answer the questions above honestly and explore the different money-making options available, the process becomes a lot easier.

Lastly, having a side hustle is not just about getting cash at the moment. It is also about learning, growing and building something that can sustain you as a student.