How we make a living in school

By Oluwabukola Kuteyi

NRTC Contributors is a News Round The Clock (NRTC) initiative established to give students, scholars and other readers the opportunity to air their opinions on various issues, topics and give reviews of trending episodes in our society and other parts of the world.

Studentpreneurs: How We’re Earning A Living

Amidst the hustle and bustle of her university life, Deborah Osoki, a 400-level student of Accounting from Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State embarked on an inspiring journey as a studentpreneur, juggling her demanding class schedule and tight deadlines, as she discovered her passion for creating photo frames for students. 

What began as a simple hobby had evolved into a thriving small business— in between lectures, she made photo frames and showcased her creations across her social media handles.

The demand for Deborah’s frames soared, as friends and fellow students began placing orders— what set her apart was not just her flair but her unwavering commitment. 

READ ALSO: UNILAG agrees to partial fee reductions following student protests

In Nigeria, it is evident enough that employment opportunities cannot reach every citizen due to the voluminous number of citizens, the failed government system, and others. Nigeria’s unemployment rate for 2022 was 5.76%, a 0.18% decline from 2021. The rate decreased to 4.10 percent in the first quarter of 2023 from 5.30 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022. 

According to the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria, about 53.40 percent of youths are unemployed. But in her effort to have a futuristic society that will not neglect and underestimate Deborah leverages making frames to forge her path to financial independence amidst the challenges of academic life. 

Deborah, who was seen by this reporter with a dozen frames hanging around her inside the scorching sun, explained that ‘the frames are her means of survival in AAUA.’ 

“Aside from my tuition fee being paid by my parents, I sort the remaining expenses myself without the help of anyone and that makes me venture into the framework. I chose a framework because a lot of students do frames for different occasions.

“I do photo frames, birthday surprises, and catering services. It’s almost 2 years now and it has been productive, though it’s challenging combining academics with what I do because both require time and you have to balance the two to meet the standard needed in academics and businesses,” she added.

Studentpreneurs are students going into the world of buying and selling (entrepreneur) to cater for themselves as a result of poor parenting background, among others.  Like Nigeria, not all countries of the world are capable of providing employment opportunities for the youths to cater for and improve their standard of living, hence, the need Deborah decided to chase the dream of becoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Like Deborah, another student, Odunayo Goerge from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) who serves as a manager and a brand partner with Oriflame said one of the challenges facing him as a studentpreneur is training, practical, and implementation. 

The 400-level student, who doubled as the CEO of Ohgee Beauty Empire— a brand that specializes in skincare, and body and face fragrance including body spray— maintained that dealing with business and academic challenges was a survival of the fittest. “This is a way of survival as a student and it reduces the burden on my parents and to also meet certain needs.”

More Studentpreneur, More Experiences 

Olalekan Kuye, a 400-level student of Mass Communication at AAUA into selling Data [whose business is a year old], said consistency and timeliness are the things driving him as they are important in keeping business moving. 

“Having a good customer relationship, how you relate, and talk with them is crucial. Being online to respond to messages as soon as possible has kept the majority of my customers, but not getting a payment receipt after buying is tiring”, Kuye added.

Speaking on balancing academics with business, he said ‘Knowing yourself and getting to study when you can easily understand.’

Similarly, Edith Martha, a student of Science Laboratory Technology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said she decided to venture into Fashion design because people can’t do without wearing clothes. “It’s something that helps cover our nakedness and I learned it during the 9-month strike last year and has been of assistance to me financially.

Oriloye Christiana Abiodun, a 400l student in AAUA and the CEO of “Tiana Wear” said her journey as a Studentpreneur began in June 2022 and is still in the business and looking forward to more achievement—managing it with academics is not a bad idea because academics and business are treated separately and won’t be entangled.

“Customers have been patronizing and I appreciate my SIWES boss who does patronise me and advised me that I should not quit, if 50 customers are like him it will be so good. I sell unisex round necks and make clothes— I started with N20,000.

“I also faced a trust issue because most people are scared to pay unless they see what they are buying, could you imagine that? With all these ups and downs, I use my money to get clothes as demanded by customers to please and show I am serious with my business but if they will not turn up again then I will begin to seek them out.

“I do advertise not that I am a millionaire yet but I will say with consistency and never quitting even when it seems the key to success.”

Also, Daramola Sunday, the CEO of “Samben Print” who does all kinds of printing on clothes, and car branding, consultant in printing, publishing books, and general contractor on printing matters recounted his experience as an apprentice back in 2014. “At that stage, it wasn’t easy but passion came in and the business has been growing, moving on well.”

“Students as non-students like organisations, people who have occasions, events to reach out to patronize and sales have been great but balancing academics and work is my biggest problem due to lectures, assignments, tests, etc.”

N.B: NRTC Contributors is a News Round The Clock (NRTC) initiative established to give students, scholars and other readers the opportunity to air their opinions on various issues, topics and reviews of trending episodes in our society and other parts of the world.