At one time or the other in your life, you will find yourself pursuing your dream course in the university, polytechnic or college of education. You could even find yourself pursuing one professional course or some postgraduate diploma or degree. All in all, whatever you do costs money and at that time, you begin to ask yourself, how to make money online in Nigeria as a student.
You will get to ask yourself this question as you will recognise the fact that e-commerce and online businesses have now become a thing in Nigeria and the average student is tech-savvy and can use the internet well.
According to statistics, from a study by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in 2020 found that 66% of university students in Nigeria have basic computer skills, while 34% have intermediate skills. Another study by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2021 found that 42% of university graduates in Nigeria have computer skills.
One thing that backs up this fact is that this number is growing, and as mobile internet technology continues to evolve, more and more Nigerian students are gaining more intricate skills and knowledge of the internet.
With this knowledge, we would be keen to ask,
Why Would A Nigerian Student Want To Make Money Online?
Let’s first understand the fact that Nigeria is still a developing economy with many of its citizens living on less than $1 per day. Students in higher institutions are no different. Life is hard in the country and many students have to fend for themselves.
Although a few get their tuition, board and other fees paid for by their parents or guardians, many others have to scrounge and go by either being partially supported by their families or weathering the storm all by themselves.
Anyway, one needs to get him or herself financially buoyant in a fast-paced environment like the higher institutions in Nigeria.
Another realisation is the fact that the internet and e-commerce have shown that one can be in any part of the world and make money remotely. This makes sense to many students who do not have the luxury of getting out of campus or taking time out of their learning time to work jobs around and outside the campus.
Tips For Making Money Online As A Student
Before you begin your journey into how to make money as a student in Nigeria, you must understand that you need to:
- Find a niche that you are interested in and passionate about.
- Be creative and offer unique services or products.
- Be reliable and deliver high-quality work.
- Build a strong online presence.
- Be patient and persistent.
Various Ways On How To Make Money Online In Nigeria As A Student
There are a few ways you can answer the nagging question of how to make money online in Nigeria as a student. They include:
1. Content Writing
You can get your hands dirty and make some money by engaging in content writing. Content writing entails creating written material for various forms of digital media, such as websites, blogs, social media, email marketing, and more. The primary purpose of content writing is to provide valuable and engaging information to a specific target audience. Content can come in various forms, including articles, blog posts, product descriptions, social media updates, and more.
To get into the world of content writing to make money online as a student in Nigeria, you have to work on these useful tips:
- Start by honing your writing skills and grammar.
- Create a portfolio of your work, including articles, blog posts, or social media content.
- Join freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer to find writing gigs.
- Network with bloggers and website owners who may require content.
- Offer your writing services on social media and online forums.
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2. Online Tutoring
These days, many people look for solutions to their problems through online tutorials, especially on YouTube. Since you are in a student community where nearly everyone needs tutoring on one difficult subject or course or the other; you can bridge the gap by reaching out to them online, making videos that will help them solve these problems.
You will cut out the time, resources and energy or have to create a space for tutorials and have people subscribe to your channel where you give them a teaser and have them pay for the full video of the course.
You could also have them pay to enter a virtual meeting where you have an interactive class with your subscribers.
To start making money off online tutorials, you will need to use the following tips:
- Identify your strong subjects or skills.
- Create informative and engaging study materials, such as notes or video tutorials.
- Register on online tutoring platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or Teachable or create your own tutoring platform via links to meetings and videos posted on your drive, Youtube and social media.
- Advertise your tutoring services on social media and education-related websites.
- Build a positive reputation by delivering quality lessons and getting good reviews.
3. Blogging
You can become one of the hottest sensations, making blogs about things people are interested in. You can then monetize your blog through various methods, such as advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, selling digital or physical products, or offering premium content behind a paywall.
To get this venture rolling you have to consider the following useful tips:
- Choose a niche you are passionate about, such as travel, fashion, or technology.
- Start a blog using platforms like WordPress or Blogger.
- Create valuable and original content on a regular basis.
- Promote your blog through social media and SEO techniques.
- Monetize your blog with ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.
4. Content Creation
Students could make money by producing various forms of digital content, including text, visuals, audio, and multimedia, for the goal of sharing information, engaging an audience, or achieving specific communication objectives. It could be for marketing, entertainment, education, information dissemination, and more.
In recent times, content on comedy and music has taken the frontline bringing acts like Mr Macaroni, Sydney Talker, Teni Makanaki and Rebekah to the limelight and stardom.
You too can tap into this and create content that could take the world by storm on social media and make cool money from it.
Here are some tips that could make content creation worthwhile for you financially as a student in Nigeria:
- Develop skills in video production, photography, or podcasting.
- Invest in the necessary equipment and software.
- Create engaging and high-quality content.
- Share your content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or podcast hosting sites.
- Earn money through ads, sponsorships, or merchandise sales.
5. Computer Graphic Design:
There is never a time when businesses, individuals and organisations do not need graphic designs. They could need them for advertisements, promotional offers, events promotion, logo creation product branding; or even something as simple as a birthday greeting on social media.
The more apt you are in making and manipulating visuals and with computer software, the more sought after you will be.
With the development and evolution of User Interface and user experience design, many computer graphics experts are constantly in hot demand.
Here are a few tips that will help you make money in the sphere of computer graphics design as a student in Nigeria:
- Learn graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw or Canva.
- Create a portfolio showcasing your design work.
- Offer design services on freelance platforms or marketplaces.
- Collaborate with local businesses for logo design, social media graphics, and marketing materials.
- Build your brand and online presence as a graphic designer.
6. Social Media Marketing
Social media has developed into a potent tool for connecting businesses with their target market. As a student, you may use your social media expertise to sell to companies who want to increase their online presence.
Here are some tips to make money as a student in Nigeria in this sphere:
- Build your own social media presence across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn where you showcase your expertise and establish yourself as a credible marketer.
- Learn social media advertising on platforms like Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads.
- Do freelance or part-time work as a social media manager or marketer. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr are excellent places to find gigs.
7. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is promoting goods or services while receiving payment for each sale or action brought about by your recommendation. Here are some tips that can help you make money in this regard:
- Choose a niche that interests you or aligns with your audience. For instance, if you have a fitness blog, consider promoting fitness-related products.
- Join an affiliate programme relevant to your niche, e.g, Amazon Associates, Jumia, and Konga affiliate programs.
- Create quality content such as blog posts or videos, where you incorporate affiliate links naturally. Be honest in your recommendations.
- Promote strategically using SEO techniques and social media marketing to drive traffic to your affiliate content. The more targeted your audience, the higher your conversion rates.
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8. Lifestyle Vlogging
On websites like YouTube, vlogging, also known as video blogging, has become extremely popular. You may use your channel to capture your everyday life, interests, or area of expertise while earning money from sponsorships and adverts. Here are some tips that can help:
- Plan your vlog content around a specific theme, such as fashion, travel, food, or personal development. Consistency is key to building an audience.
- Monetize with Google Ads once your channel meets YouTube’s requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours).
- As your channel grows, you can collaborate with brands and earn money through sponsored videos or product placements.
9. Cryptocurrency Trading
Nigeria is not an exception to the growing popularity of cryptocurrency trading globally. Despite the dangers, it can be a successful business venture. Here are a few valuable tips that can help you solve the issue of how to make money online in Nigeria as a student.
- Educate yourself on the basics of cryptocurrency before diving in.
- Choose a reputable exchange platform that complies with Nigerian regulations. Examples include Binance and Luno.
- Start with a small investment that you can afford to lose. Cryptocurrency markets can be highly volatile.
- Stay informed by keeping up with market news, trends, and analysis to make trading decisions based on informed research.
10. Gift card exchanges
Selling unused gift cards for cash or trading discounted gift cards are both forms of gift card swapping. Here are some tips that can help:
- Research platforms to find reputable gift card exchange platforms that cater to the Nigerian market. Examples of this platform are Cardtonic and Cardnosh.
- Verify the legitimacy of the platform to ensure it has a good reputation, secure payment methods, and positive customer reviews.
- Exercise caution when conducting transactions. Avoid sharing sensitive information, and always use trusted platforms.
In Conclusion
Now that we have examined the various ways how to make money online as a student in Nigeria, it would be great to remember that success in these online endeavours frequently requires patience and perseverance. To draw consumers and customers, it’s crucial to continually develop your abilities, sell your services successfully, and provide high-quality work. Additionally, to maintain your competitiveness in the internet market, keep up with the most recent developments in your chosen industry.