By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 3rd April, 2025
The trajectory of technology and traditional business in the economic ecosystem has come with an attendant rise in cost of living amidst unpredictable economic conditions in Nigeria. Given this unavailing scenario, more people are turning to side hustles to supplement their income.
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As an average Nigerian, fiscal management of scarce resources and access to finances, is a major challenge, requiring a non-stop search for other means of getting residual income for daily living and micro economic activities. Unarguably, the average Nigerian struggles to make ends meets and hence, the imperative for a side hustle.
Thanks to the internet, many people are now able to meet the challenge of daily hustle. There are now countless opportunities for individuals to earn money without quitting their full-time jobs. No matter who you are; whether you’re a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, starting an online side hustle can provide financial security and even lead to full-time self-employment.
With a basic android phone or hand-held communication device and Impelled with the right mindset, in-born talents and skills, students are now exploring various side hustles to earn extra income, gain experience, and build their professional network.
There are several contextual factors that have contributed to the increase in online side businesses, including, high unemployment rates, access to technology and the innate desire for financial freedom.
For instance, many graduates are unable to find stable jobs, making online work an attractive alternative. The emergent need for remote workers mean Nigerians can now work for international companies from the comfort of their homes. As more and more people have access to the internet, it allows them to explore different income streams with a flexible time allotment. All of this have accentuated the desire to seek ways to break free from financial struggles and build wealth.
Thus, if one is looking for ways to earn extra income online, there are some popular and lucrative side hustles worth considering with good impact and impressive bottom-line. Some suggested options include:
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FREELANCING: There are dedicated platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour, allowing Nigerians to offer services such as writing, graphic design, programming, and social media management. The platforms help subscribers to hone their skills in areas like copywriting, web development, and digital marketing are in high demand.
Another popular side hustle is E-COMMERCE AND DROP SHIPPING. Online merchandising is now a popular avenue for youths and students to engage in online trading. People can do away with inventory and middle-men by making direct order for all kinds of goods and services. Some can pre-order products ranging from gift items, casual clothing, perfume, accessories and many more, which they have profiled and advertised in their social media handles like facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram. Most of this trading is carried out directly with the manufacturers or through popular e-commerce platforms like Jumia, Konga, Etsy, eBay and Amazon, etc. Most of the E-commerce platforms can connect directly to affiliated services from Uber, Bolt, i-Ride, Glovo etc., for order and prompt delivery.
YOUTUBE AND CONTENT CREATION is a trending side hustle for many creative individuals. This involves creating video content on YouTube on any topic, from comedy to lifestyle, documentary, business tips, which are then deployed on YouTube on shared profits. Over time, this can merit monetization from Google AdSense, brand sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
CRYPTO TRADING AND FOREX TRADING can also generate impressive passive income for the discerning trader. Though, it has high risk of unpredictability, yet it can be highly profitable with the right knowledge and strategy. One needs to do proper investigation or referrals to ascertain which trading platform offers the best benefit.
Social media marketing, Affiliate Marketing and events management are other good buys. Many businesses need help managing their online presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Once you understand social media algorithms and trends, you can offer content creation, engagement, and ad management services. Affiliate involves promoting products and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link. Many Nigerian influencers and bloggers are using platforms like Amazon, Jumia Affiliate, Konga and Expertnaire to earn commissions.
Another trending side hustle is ONLINE TUTORING AND COACHING. It is popular on-and-off school. As Calista Oyeoba, our campus correspondent reported in a previous article (Some Side Hustle Businesses That Nigeria Students Do to Survive), “One of the most popular in higher institutions in Nigeria, as at today, is academic tutoring. It’s a simple arrangement whereby if a student is highly proficient in a particular subject, he/she offers tutorials online for new students or older students with deficiency in such subjects. The pay varies depending on the extent of work.” Personal coaching in areas like business, fitness, and finance is also in high demand.
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Overall, there are many other channels but before starting and succeeding in an Online Side Hustle, one needs to be smart, leveraging technology and social media, learning and unlearning trends pertaining to the industry one is working on. With dedication and smart strategies, you can turn a side hustle into a full-time career.
Freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have indeed opened global opportunities for Nigerian professionals, allowing them to showcase their skills to a broader audience.
E-commerce and drop shipping have revolutionized retail, enabling entrepreneurs to operate without the need for physical stores or large inventories.
Such a great read! This article really highlights how many Nigerians are embracing online side hustles to stay financially afloat.
YouTube is a goldmine if you’re consistent! So many Nigerians are cashing out big time.
Crypto and forex trading sound tempting, but honestly, you need to really understand the risks before diving in.
Affiliate marketing is a great passive income idea! Just promote products and earn commissions—easy money!
This is a great read! Freelancing has really opened up opportunities for Nigerians to showcase their skills globally
I love how freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are creating global opportunities for Nigerian professionals.
Content creation on YouTube requires consistency, but the potential for monetization is worth the effort.”