An increasing number of students in Kaduna are combining their academic pursuits with small businesses to earn additional income and meet personal needs and support their families.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that students are engaging in various businesses, including the sale of snacks and recharge cards, hairdressing, phone repairs, tailoring, fashion, cosmetics and online ventures.
While financial difficulties have pushed some students into entrepreneurship, others say their businesses provide pocket money and reduce their reliance on parents and guardians.
Gabriel Mathew, a 22-year-old student of Kaduna State University who sells snacks on campus, said the business had become an important source of income for him.
“I started because I needed money for transportation, feeding and some school expenses. My parents support me, but what they give me is not always enough,” he said.
Similarly, Ishaku Raji, who runs a small phone-accessories business, said he had learned to carefully manage his time to ensure the venture did not interfere with his studies.
“I attend lectures during the day and attend to customers after lectures. During examinations, I reduce the time I spend on the business so I can concentrate on my studies,” he said.
For female students, businesses such as hairdressing, makeup, fashion design, and the sale of clothing and cosmetics have also become popular sources of income.
Abigail Fagbemi, an undergraduate who braids hair for fellow students, said the business had enabled her to meet some personal expenses without constantly seeking financial assistance from her parents.
However, juggling academics and business comes with its own challenges.
Some students said long hours spent attending to customers often leave them exhausted and with less time for reading, assignments and other academic responsibilities.
Irene Ezekiel, another undergraduate who braids hair, said she had sometimes faced difficult choices between attending to customers and participating in academic activities.
“I try to balance both, but sometimes it is difficult, especially when customers come when I have an assignment or test to prepare for,” she said.
Lecturers and education stakeholders have encouraged students to develop entrepreneurial skills but warned that business activities should not come at the expense of their education.
They advised students to choose ventures with flexible schedules that allow them to attend lectures, prepare for examinations and complete other academic obligations.
An educationist, Ibrahim Musa, said combining education with entrepreneurship could benefit students when properly managed.
According to him, running legitimate businesses could help students develop practical skills in financial management, communication, marketing and customer relations.
He, however, stressed that education should remain the students’ primary focus, particularly when business activities begin to affect academic performance.
For many of the students, the challenge is to maintain a delicate balance between lecture halls and business activities as they strive to remain in school while coping with the rising cost of daily living.
Their experiences highlight the growing link between education and economic survival, as young Nigerians increasingly turn to entrepreneurship to stay in school, meet their needs and build a more financially secure future.
