By Ayomiposi Olukayode,Rasaq Akintaju &Oluwatoyosi Ayanfe

In the face of Nigeria’s biting economy, galloping inflation and an ever-rising unemployment rate, students in tertiary institutions are not just studying to pass exams, they are  also hustling to survive.

From selling perfumes to tutoring online, managing thrift fashion pages or designing logos on Instagram, the Nigerian student is no longer waiting for pocket money from home. They have taken survival matters in their own hands.

Adunni Olaleye, a final-year student of the College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, sells perfumes. Her journey into business did not start with any capital. It started with hunger and a craving for a nice fragrance.

She revealed: “I literally don’t get enough love from my parents. My mother is very strict and my father is quiet. Asking for money was hard and sometimes I would cry for days in hunger.”

Her love for perfumes drove her into the hustle. She started with N1,000 knock-offs and soon began reselling. What started as a small side gig grew wings through word-of-mouth marketing.

“I became the most popular perfume seller in school. Later my boyfriend supported me and the business expanded. I had no friends; so this became my identity,” she added.

Olaleye’s tale is a mixture of pain, passion and perseverance the three Ps fuelling thousands of students on campuses across Nigeria who are fending for themselves in these tough times.

For some students, side hustling isn’t just about survival. It is also about passion and a hunger to gain early career experience.

Sarah Christiannah, a Computer Science undergraduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), used her academic strength to “cash out” online. She began tutoring students and the hobby soon became a steady stream of income.

“I simplify my class notes and sell them to students. It helps me stay organised and allows others to learn betters” she said.

Christiannah’s hustle not only puts money in her pocket. It has also boosted her academic performance. She has learnt how to create content, market her product and manage time-skills that will stick with her long after graduation.

Oyindamola Hashim, a National Diploma II student at the Osun State College of Education, Esa-Oke, Osun State, revealed that her decision to venture into hustling was borne out of several pressing challenges.

According to her, financial constraints, the burden of managing expectations from her parents, self-doubt, the struggle to adapt to a new environment and lack of access to academic resources such as handouts, pushed her into seeking alternative means of survival.

Despite her efforts, she still grapples with a number of setbacks. These include lack of support, financial struggles occasioned by limited funds and irregular income, as well as physical and mental burnout, especially when sales are not forthcoming.

“I also deal with self-doubt, fear of failure and uncertainty,” she confessed.

Though these challenges may appear daunting, Oyindamola insists she confronts them head-on with resilience, determination and strategic planning, all of which have helped her rise as a successful hustler.

Adewale Jamal, a 23-year old Marketing student of Adekunle Ajasin University, is building a name for himself in the design world.

“I’ve always had a thing for aesthetics. So I taught myself graphic design and started creating logos for businesses,” he said.

Armed with tools like Instagram and Fiverr, Jamal earns enough to cover his rent and groceries. But it is not all rosy.

“Sometimes I pull all-nighters trying to meet client deadlines while preparing for exams. It is tough but the discipline is worth it.”

Jamal’s story is not an isolated one. Across campuses many student freelancers are cashing in on the global shift to digital services. Graphic design, digital marketing, video editing and programming are opening doors of income and independence for tech-savvy youths.

Sophia Anita, a Fashion and Textile Design student, turned her love for thrift shopping into a full-blown business. She does not just wear thrift, she sells it, styles it and showcases it online.

“I use platforms like Depop and Instagram. It’s a fun creating business that helps me build a portfolio while earning money,” she said.

For her, fashion is not just profit-driven. It is a statement. She is promoting sustainable fashion and encouraging her peers to shop smart and stylish.

With a growing online following, Anita dreams of owning a fashion label someday. But even now her brand is already making waves on campus.

The hustle does not end there. For many student entrepreneurs, lecture halls are offices and hostel rooms double as warehouses.

Oluwanifemi Ogundele, another student from Criminology Department, Adekunle Ajasin University, runs her business with strategic thinking.

“Before starting, I asked myself: what do students need daily or weekly? That’s what I sell. It sounds simple but the hustle is anything but easy.

“Late-night closures affect my class attendance. Also debts are a major issue, as students buy on credit and delay payment,” she lamented.

Still she is undeterred. For her, this is not just business. It’s a bootcamp in negotiation, resilience and money management.

In today’s Nigeria, side hustles are more than trendy gigs. They are lifelines. As tuition fees rise and family incomes shrink, students are stepping up to fill the gap.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. So, students are not waiting for white-collar jobs. They are building portfolios, investing in online skills and saving up for the future.

Some are even investing in stocks, cryptocurrency or setting funds aside for their NYSC year. They are not just making money. They’re planning long-term.

Stress, sleepless nights and sacrifice

But with every naira earned comes a price. Burnout is real. Many students juggling academics and business report anxiety, fatigue and poor grades.

“There were times I had to skip classes because I was fulfilling orders. It affects my grades sometimes but I try to balance both,” Anita admitted.

Balancing hustle with academic demands is a constant struggle. With no institutional support and rigid schedules, many students are left to figure things out on their own.

What are schools and parents doing?

Despite the growing trend, many academic institutions are yet to catch up. There are no formal structures in place to support student entrepreneurs.

Dr. Kunle Adewale, an education consultant, believes this must change.

“Side hustling is no longer a choice, it’s an economic necessity. Schools should integrate entrepreneurship into the curriculum and support students with incubation centres and flexible timetables,” he said.

At home, parental support can make or mar the hustle. While some parents worry that side hustles distract their children, others embrace the initiative and help them scale up. The difference in outcomes is often glaring.

In the end, side hustling among students is more than a trend. It is a survival tactic, a career launchpad and a form of protest against economic stagnation.

Whether it is Adunni selling perfumes, Sarah tutoring online, Jamal designing graphics, Anita flipping thrift clothes or Ogundele spotting market gaps, one thing is clear: Nigerian students are not waiting for the system to save them. They are taking charge.

As the economy grows tougher and support systems remain weak, hustling may no longer be a choice. It is the new normal.

And in this hustle lies hope, a reminder that in the face of adversity the Nigerian student remains resourceful, resilient and relentlessly rising.