13/07/2026
THE PRICE OF THE HUSTLE: WHAT STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS ARE SACRIFICING TO BALANCE BOOKS AND BUSINESS
by Victor B. | July 13, 2026
When the final lecture ends, a second shift begins for some university students across FUTA. The focus immediately shifts from course outlines to client deadlines, sewing machines and design laptops. As the cost of living and educational expenses continue to surge, these undergraduates are no longer just studying for their degrees, they are running businesses to financially survive them.
Joy, a 200-level Nutrition and Dietetics student, doubles as a fashion designer. What started as a hobby is now a financial lifeline.
"I started because of my passion for fashion designing," she explains. "As time went on, I also realised it could help me earn extra income to support myself and reduce the financial burden on my family."
To survive the double workload, Joy micromanages her time.
"I try my best not to skip classes unless it's absolutely necessary," she says. "I plan my sewing jobs around my lecture timetable, read mostly at night, and sometimes rely on my friends to update me if I miss anything important."
But that rigid structure takes a heavy toll.
"The hardest part is managing my time," Joy admits. "Meeting clients' deadlines while keeping up with assignments, practicals and examinations can be very challenging, especially during busy academic periods."
The relentless pace often leads to severe burnout. She sacrifices a normal campus life just to stay afloat.
"I've experienced physical exhaustion and had to miss some academic activities because of work, but I've always made sure not to miss tests or examinations."
Financially, the hustle offers independence, but not necessarily comfort.
"The income helps a lot," she notes. "It covers some of my personal expenses and business needs, but I wouldn't say it makes life completely comfortable yet. It has mainly helped me become more financially independent."
Despite the strain, Joy refuses to drop either pursuit.
"This experience has encouraged me to grow my fashion business after graduation. I also want to build a career related to my course, so my goal is to balance both and keep expanding my business over time."
Across campus, Clemence, another 200-level Nutrition and Dietetics student, is fighting the same battle. He juggles his degree with freelance graphic design, video editing, and photography.
"I have been working since my junior secondary school days because I didn't want to be idle before entering the university," Clemence explains. "I didn't start working because I wanted to pay my fees or rent. However, once you start working, you can earn enough to help with those expenses, so that became a secondary benefit."
Survival for Clemence demands ruthless discipline.
"It's all about setting priorities," he says. "The time for class is for class, and the time for work is for work. You can't put the two together. That's the best way to balance education and work in school."
To keep up academically, he leans heavily on his peers. "I rely on friends to keep up academically. Before examinations, I ask them about anything that confuses me, and they explain it to me."
But the most significant sacrifice has been his physical well-being.
"Last semester, I worked almost every night and stayed in a rented house off campus," he recounts. "There were many mosquitoes there, and it affected my health. The lesson I learnt is that I should create time for rest. Health is very important because if you make money and don't find time to rest, the money becomes a waste as you end up spending it on your health."
The digital nature of his work offers no escape from the stress.
"Balancing both is very hard because you might have classes and still have work," Clemence says. "Though my work is digital and doesn't require me to go to an office or be physically present, clients can still pressure you to get the work done while you're in class."
When asked if the financial payoff makes the struggle worthwhile, he is pragmatic. "Both. When you say you're comfortable, it means you can attend to your urgent needs, so it's both."
Looking toward graduation, Clemence is pivoting away from his field of study.
"I'd love to focus on the skill I'm doing now," he reveals. "My course is a good course, but the Nigerian system isn't encouraging. I'd love to scale up the skill I'm currently practising. Education is a key to success, but you still have to focus on purpose. Purpose is the main thing, not only education."
The stories of Joy and Clemence capture a stark new normal on Nigerian campuses. Students are no longer waiting for graduation to enter the workforce, they are building it from their dorms. They trade sleep for deliverables and rely on friends to survive academically. The financial independence is real, but so is the burnout, the compromised health and the relentless pressure of holding two demanding lives together.
©️ UCJ FUTA