For many students in Nigeria, making money while studying feels almost impossible. School schedules are tight, jobs are scarce, and capital is limited. I used to think the same—until I discovered that earning ₦100,000 monthly as a student is possible, without quitting school or doing anything illegal.

In this post, I’ll break down exactly how I do it, step by step, and how you can start too.

Step 1: I Chose One Online Skill (Not Many)

The biggest mistake students make is trying to do everything at once.

Instead of learning many skills halfway, I focused on one skill that:

• Can be learned online

• Is in high demand

• Requires little or no capital

Examples include:

• Content writing

• Graphic design (Canva)

• Social media management

• Video editing

• Virtual assistance

👉 I chose [insert your skill here, e.g., content writing / graphic design].

Step 2: I Spent 30 Days Learning the Basics

I didn’t wait until I became an expert.

For 30 days, I:

• Watched free YouTube tutorials

• Practiced every day

• Copied real-life examples

• Improved little by little

I treated learning like a daily routine, just like attending lectures.

💡 Consistency mattered more than talent.

Step 3: I Practiced Using Real Projects

Before looking for clients, I practiced by:

• Creating sample designs / articles

• Managing a personal or dummy social media page

• Helping friends or small businesses for free

This gave me:

• Confidence

• Experience

• Something to show potential clients

Step 4: I Created a Simple Online Presence

You don’t need a fancy website to start.

I used:

• WhatsApp Business

• Instagram or X (Twitter)

• Google Drive for my portfolio

I clearly stated:

• What I do

• Who I help

• How to contact me

This made me look professional and serious.

Step 5: I Started Finding Clients

This is where the money started coming in.

I got clients through:

• WhatsApp status

• Telegram & Facebook groups

• Freelance platforms (Fiverr, Upwork)

• Referrals

I sent simple, honest messages, not spam.

Example:

“Hello, I help small businesses with content/design. I noticed your page and I think I can help you improve your online presence.”

Step 6: I Priced My Services Smartly

I didn’t charge too low or too high.

For example:

• ₦20,000 per client × 5 clients = ₦100,000

• ₦10,000 per task × 10 tasks = ₦100,000

I focused on:

• Monthly retainers

• Repeat clients

• Long-term relationships

Step 7: I Managed School and Work Wisely

I never allowed money to destroy my academics.

What helped me:

• Working mostly at night or weekends

• Using task planners

• Avoiding unnecessary distractions

Online work gave me flexibility, not stress.

Step 8: I Reinvested in Myself

As I earned more, I:

• Bought better tools

• Took paid courses

• Improved my skill

This helped me increase my charges and attract better clients.

The Truth About Making ₦100k as a Student

Let’s be honest:

• It’s not instant

• It’s not “easy money”

• It requires discipline

But it works.

If you have:

• Internet access

• A smartphone or laptop

• Willingness to learn

Then ₦100,000 monthly is very achievable.

Final Advice for Students

If you’re a student reading this:

• Don’t wait for graduation to start earning

• Learn a skill, not just certificates

• Start small, stay consistent

Your age or level does not limit your potential.