How Nigerians Are Finding Ways to Make Money in Tough Times

From side hustles and online businesses to remote work and skilled trades, Nigerians are finding creative ways to survive rising living costs.

For many people, making ends meet has become a daily concern. Food, transport, rent, school fees, electricity, and healthcare costs continue to put pressure on household budgets, and a monthly salary no longer stretches as far as it once did.

Ask a typical Nigerian how things are going these days, and you'll likely hear the familiar response: "We thank God. We dey manage."

Yet behind that familiar response, many Nigerians are looking for ways to bring in extra money. Some are starting small businesses, others are taking on side hustles or learning new skills. In today's Nigeria, survival has become a skill of its own.

When one salary isn't enough

A few years ago, a decent salary could cover a reasonable share of monthly expenses. Today, rising prices have changed that reality for many households. Even people with full-time jobs are looking for ways to supplement their income.

Teachers bake cakes after school, bankers sell shoes, civil servants run online thrift stores, and office workers market everything from perfumes to food and fashion items. In many workplaces, asking someone, "What are you selling?" has become perfectly normal.

For some, these businesses start as a way to cover transport costs or buy groceries without dipping into their salaries. Others hope to grow them into something more substantial over time. The challenge is finding a business that fits around existing responsibilities and actually leaves a profit after expenses.

And selling more does not always mean earning more. Stock, delivery, packaging, and other costs can eat into the money coming in. Still, for many Nigerians, having an additional source of income provides some breathing room when their main salary falls short.

The smartphone marketplace

One major change is that starting a business no longer requires renting a shop or securing an expensive location. A smartphone and an internet connection can help sellers reach customers far beyond their immediate neighbourhoods.

WhatsApp Status has become a familiar storefront for many small businesses. Sellers post new arrivals, upload customer feedback, and rely on referrals to attract buyers. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok also give businesses ways to showcase their products and reach people they might never meet in person.

A student can sell skincare products from a hostel room, while someone selling clothes can take orders from customers in different cities without opening a physical store. Some businesses even begin with pre-orders, allowing sellers to test demand before committing too much money to stock.

But social media visibility does not automatically translate into sales. Sellers still have to earn customers' trust, respond to inquiries, deliver what they promise, and handle complaints when things go wrong. There is also the cost of advertising, delivery, and replacing unsold stock.

The opportunity is real, but running an online business still requires planning, patience, and good customer service.

Chasing dollars from home

For some Nigerians, the search for better-paying opportunities has extended beyond the local job market. Remote work allows people with relevant skills to work for businesses and clients in other countries without relocating.

Writers, graphic designers, virtual assistants, software developers, and digital marketers are among those offering services remotely. Depending on the role and the client, payment may come in dollars, pounds, or euros. When converted to naira, that income can go further than a comparable local payment, although exchange rates and payment charges also matter.

Getting into remote work, however, is not as simple as opening a laptop and waiting for foreign clients to appear. Competition can be intense, and beginners often need to build a portfolio, learn how to find clients, and demonstrate that they can deliver good work. Poor internet access and unreliable electricity can make things even harder.

Still, remote work gives people another market to explore. Someone who develops a useful skill and consistently finds clients may be able to earn beyond what the local market alone offers.

Food businesses still work

No matter how tough things become, people still need to eat. That makes food one of the most familiar entry points for Nigerians looking to start a small business. From akara and puff-puff sellers to caterers, bakers, poultry farmers, fish farmers, and vegetable growers, people are finding different ways to earn from food. Some start by selling snacks to neighbours or colleagues, while others take orders for birthdays, office lunches, and family events.

Food businesses can be attractive because demand is regular, and sellers can start small rather than investing immediately in a large operation. Someone who already knows how to cook or bake may be able to begin with a few orders and build from there.

But the costs can be demanding. Ingredients, cooking gas, electricity, packaging, and transportation all affect how much money remains after a sale. Perishable products can also go to waste if demand is overestimated.

The lesson is that having customers is only part of running a successful food business. Sellers also need to price properly, manage costs, and know how much they are actually making after expenses.

Skills are becoming more valuable

Not every income opportunity starts online or requires selling products. For many Nigerians, practical skills provide another way to earn.

Electricians, plumbers, solar installers, mechanics, tailors, barbers, makeup artists, and phone repair technicians offer services people need in their homes and businesses. When replacing an item becomes too expensive, some people choose to repair it instead, creating work for technicians and repairers.

A skill can also offer room for growth. Someone might begin by learning a trade, work under an experienced professional, and eventually take on independent customers or employ others. But the earning potential depends on the quality of the work, experience, location, reputation, and ability to attract regular customers.

Learning a skill alone does not guarantee a steady income. People still need tools, training, and time to build trust with customers. Even so, practical skills can provide a route to earning that does not depend entirely on having a formal office job or a university degree.

The power of community

Sometimes, finding a way through financial pressure involves more than individual effort. Across Nigeria, friends, families, cooperatives, religious organizations, and savings groups help people pool resources and support one another.

Some groups operate through regular contributions, allowing members to receive a lump sum when it is their turn. Others help members raise money for business stock, equipment, or other expenses. For a trader who needs capital to restock, access to such funds can make a difference.

Family and community networks can also provide referrals, connect people to customers, or help someone get started when formal financing is difficult to access.

However, these arrangements depend on trust and clear expectations. Poor record-keeping, missed contributions, and disagreements can create problems, especially when money is involved. Community support can be valuable, but it works best when everyone understands the terms and responsibilities.

Beware of quick-money schemes

When money is tight, the promise of making a large amount quickly can be difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, financial pressure can also make people more vulnerable to scams and fraudulent investment schemes.

Promises of guaranteed returns, effortless profits, and overnight wealth often leave out the risks or hide how the scheme actually works. Some people end up losing money they had saved for rent, business stock, or other essential expenses.

Before putting money into an opportunity, it is worth asking how the business generates returns, what risks are involved, and whether the people behind it can be verified. Be especially cautious when someone pressures you to pay immediately or earn more by recruiting others.

Not every opportunity that promises good returns is a scam, but claims of guaranteed profits deserve careful scrutiny. When finances are already stretched, losing money to a fraudulent scheme can make a difficult situation much worse.

Conclusion

Nigerians are finding different ways to cope with rising living costs. Some take on side hustles, others sell through social media, start food businesses, and offer professional services to foreign clients, or use practical skills to earn a living. Community support also helps some people raise capital and keep their businesses going.

None of these routes guarantees success, and starting a business or taking on extra work comes with its own costs and challenges. What works for one person may not work for another.

The important thing is to look beyond how much money an opportunity appears to bring in and consider what it costs to run, how sustainable it is, and whether it fits your circumstances. In today's Nigeria, finding additional income can help, but making that income count matters just as much.