Inside Nigeria’s $293 Million Campus Gig Economy
Every year, 1.7 million students graduate from Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, but fewer than 500 000 formal jobs are created annually. This gap drives high unemployment and underemployment among young graduates. A recent study of over 4 000 students across 55 institutions in 29 states found that 67% of undergraduates are already earning income while studying. Researchers estimate the campus gig economy now generates nearly $293 million a year. Social media platforms have become the main marketplaces for student entrepreneurs. By the end of 2025, Nigeria had 109 million internet users and 47.8 million social media accounts. Online work-related use jumped from 39% to 65% within a single year. Anyone with marketable skills and the right mindset can tap into this growing gig economy. From students and homemakers to salary earners and the underemployed, new income streams are open to all.
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