With Nigeria currently facing economic challenges, including high inflation and unemployment, many people are looking for ways to earn extra income through side hustles. The right side gig can be a recession-proof source of cash to supplement your regular 9-to-5 job or tide you over between jobs.
This comprehensive guide will explore 10 lucrative and accessible side hustles you can start today in Nigeria to earn additional money during tough financial times.
- Freelance Writing
Freelance writing involves creating blog posts, articles, product descriptions, stories, white papers, and other written content for clients on a contract basis. With the global freelance economy booming, the demand for talented writers has surged.
You can find freelance writing gigs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and Guru. Or reach out to businesses directly through cold emails and pitches. Rates vary based on experience and niche, from ₦50,000 per 500-word blog post for beginners up to ₦200,000+ for experienced technical writers tackling complex topics.
With good time management skills, most freelance writers in Nigeria earn between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 per month working part-time. This income potential makes freelance writing a top-side hustle option.
- Graphic Design
Leverage your creative skills by starting a freelance graphic design business that designs logos, illustrations, marketing materials, product packaging, banners, social media posts, and more for clients.
Sign up on freelancing sites like Fiverr and Upwork to access a steady stream of graphic design gigs from small businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Graphic designers in Nigeria charge from ₦5,000 for simple designs like social media posts, up to ₦100,000+ for branding projects. By building a portfolio and specialising in a profitable niche like book covers, you can earn between N100,000 and N300,000 per month.
- Social Media Management
Every business today needs social media marketing. Position yourself as a social media manager, helping brands create engaging social content, run ads, drive engagement, and manage communities on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Learn social media best practices in free online courses like Hootsuite’s Social Marketing Certification. Reach out to potential clients through cold emails and build a portfolio. Charge ₦50,000–₦150,000 per month per client, depending on workload and scope.
With just five steady social media management clients, you can easily earn ₦250,000+ in side income each month in Nigeria.
- Online tutoring
The global e-learning market is projected to grow to over $370 billion by 2026. Capitalise on this by becoming an online tutor, teaching academic subjects like coding, languages, music, the arts, or skills like digital marketing to students worldwide.
Create a tutor profile on platforms like Tutor.com or Udemy, where you set your own hourly rates. Most online tutors charge $15–50 per hour, depending on expertise.
This is a flexible side hustle, allowing you to tutor anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. Expect to make ₦200,000–₦750,000 monthly working part-time.
- Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a passive income stream where you earn commissions by promoting other companies’ products and services on your website or social platforms. Find affiliate programmes through sites like ClickBank, Commission Junction, and ShareASale.
Promote affiliate products through product reviews, comparison articles, social media posts, and targeted ads. Earn ₦5,000–₦100,000+ per sale, depending on the programme and product price. With a niche site focused on high-ticket items, experienced affiliate marketers in Nigeria earn ₦200,000+ per month.
- YouTube Content Creation
Building a YouTube audience from Nigeria is very doable today. Make entertaining or informative videos in genres like comedy, music, lifestyle, business, language learning, animation, etc.
Monetize your YouTube videos through Google AdSense, sponsorships, affiliate links, and selling merchandise. Top creators earn $3–5 per 1,000 video views. With consistent uploading and promotion, you can realistically earn ₦100,000–₦300,000 monthly on YouTube with a small but dedicated following.
- Dropshipping
Dropshipping lets you sell products online without holding any inventory. You list products from dropshipping suppliers on your own online store and take orders from customers. The supplier then fulfils and ships orders directly to the buyer.
Source top-selling products using Oberlo, Modalyst, Spocket, and similar apps. Market your dropshipping store through Instagram influencer promos, Facebook ads, and SEO-optimised content. This low-cost e-commerce model can deliver ₦150,000+ in monthly side income once optimised.
- Resume writing
Everyone needs a professionally written resume to land a job. With Nigeria’s high unemployment rate, offering professional CV writing services is a lucrative side hustle.
Learn the principles of effective resume writing and build professional templates on Canva, MS Word, etc. Reach job seekers via LinkedIn and Facebook groups. Charge ₦5,000–₦20,000 per resume, depending on the level of experience and customization required. Expect to earn ₦50,000–₦150,000 monthly with a stream of clients.
- Freelance Photography
Make money with your photography skills by providing freelance photo services to clients like small businesses, websites, advertising agencies, and media companies. Specialise in genres like product, real estate, events, portraits, or food photography.
Bulk up your portfolio and reach potential clients by listing your services on freelance sites like Fiverr or Freelancer. Typical freelance rates in Nigeria are ₦3,000–₦10,000 for product images, ₦20,000+ for real estate listings, and ₦50,000+ for corporate headshots. This is a scaling side hustle, allowing seasoned pros to earn ₦200,000+ per month.
- Podcasting
Launching a profitable podcast is very achievable today. Choose a niche you’re passionate about and create regular audio content that educates or entertains your target audience.
Record and publish episodes with free software like Audacity and hosting platforms such as Buzzsprout. Promote your show on social media, get reviews on iTunes, and acquire sponsors once you build a loyal following. Top podcasters make up to $50 per 1,000 downloads. With 10,000+ downloads per episode, expect monthly earnings of ₦150,000–₦250,000.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s economic downturn has made earning extra income through side hustles a necessity for many people. The diverse options covered in this guide can provide recession-proof income streams, allowing you to supplement your salary, develop new skills, and grow wealth.
With hard work, smart planning, and consistent execution, these profitable side gigs offer the flexibility and earning potential to sustain yourself financially through volatile times. Find an idea aligned with your interests and start your lucrative side hustle today.