04/12/2025
"The Economics of Campus Hustle: How Student Vendors Power University Life".
By Fauziyyah Muhammad Hadi
On Nigerian campuses, vending is no longer just a side activity it has become a central part of student life. From snacks and fashion to cosmetics and phone accessories, students are not only earning but building small businesses that sustain both themselves and their peers.
Rising living costs and limited financial support from home have turned vending into a necessity. At Bayero University Kano (BUK), student vendors play a crucial role in the campus economy. Sally, a wares vendor, explains:
“WhatsApp lets me post products and chat directly with buyers, Instagram helps me attract customers with pictures, and TikTok makes my items stand out.”
Vending benefits the campus community beyond profit. Students like Nafisah, a regular customer, find peer-sellers more affordable and convenient:
“I buy most of my things from student vendors because their prices are fair and it saves me transport fare.”
Yet, running a business while studying is no easy feat. Students struggle with balancing classes and customer orders, especially during exams. Rasheeda, a fashion designer, shares:
“I weigh the pros and cons. If it’s a regular class, I attend to my business, but during tests or exams, I focus more on my studies.”
Competition is another challenge. As more students enter the vending space, vendors must stand out through pricing, packaging, and customer service. Sally adds:
“Competition is normal, but I focus on good service and quality products. Customers trust me and keep coming back.”
Despite these hurdles, campus vending teaches practical life skills: financial discipline, negotiation, customer relations, and resilience. Some student ventures even grow into formal businesses after graduation, offering a path to entrepreneurship in a country with high youth unemployment.
Campus vending is more than trade; it is a testament to survival, solidarity, and determination. For students navigating academic pressures and financial uncertainty, the hustle is not just a means to earn it is a way to thrive.
Everyone Products ゚viralシalシ