Balancing Academics and Side Hustle: The Reality of Nigerian Students

Balancing Academics and Side Hustle: The Reality of Nigerian Students

An Opinion Article

By Esther Olue

As day breaks, most Nigerian students begin a race against time—from attending lectures and meeting assignment deadlines to trying to complete customers’ orders and keep up with their side hustles. Student life in Nigeria is gradually becoming more than just reading books and writing examinations. For many students, surviving school now also means finding ways to earn money and manage responsibilities outside the classroom.

Although not every student runs a side hustle, it has become very common on campuses today. Some students sell clothes, make hair, bake, create content, tutor others, or run online businesses. Walking around many schools, it is easy to notice that business and academics now exist side by side. While these activities provide financial support, they also come with pressure that many people outside campus life may not fully understand.

One major reason students combine academics with side hustles is the increasing cost of living. Feeding, transportation, accommodation, handouts, internet subscriptions, and other daily expenses continue to rise. In many situations, parents and guardians try their best to support their children, but students still look for ways to reduce the burden and contribute to their own needs.

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with students trying to earn money while studying. Side hustles can build responsibility and help students gain useful skills beyond the classroom. Managing customers, keeping records, communicating with people, and planning time are experiences that can become valuable later in life. For some students, these small businesses may even become future careers.

However, balancing academics and side hustle is not always as easy as it appears. Students sometimes struggle to attend lectures regularly, submit assignments on time, and prepare adequately for examinations. There are moments when academic schedules clash with business activities, creating stress and exhaustion. Some students may begin to lose concentration in class or feel overwhelmed trying to meet expectations from both sides.
At the same time, I do not think every student should feel pressured to have a side hustle. Social media often creates the impression that every student is earning money, running a business, or achieving financial success while in school. This can make students who are focusing only on academics feel like they are not doing enough. But the reality is different. Academic work alone already requires commitment, consistency, and discipline.
Personally, I believe education should still remain the main focus for students. Side hustles should support academic life and not replace it. Making money as a student may be helpful, but academic growth and long-term goals should not be ignored because of short-term financial needs.

Balancing academics and side hustle has become part of the reality of Nigerian students today. While some students combine both successfully, others choose to focus mainly on academics, and both choices should be respected. Every student’s journey is different, but the goal remains the same—to learn, grow, and build a better future.

Esther Olue is a 200-level Journalism and Media Studies student of Delta State University, Abraka.