If you’re in Nigeria, you’ll be aware that the rising cost of living is a major concern. Unfortunately, many jobs today can’t pay the bills.

Add that to the record level of job insecurity we’re witnessing today, and you can see why side hustles are a must for everyone.

But the good news is that there’s a hustle for everyone. So, whether you’re a busy executive or a part-time employee, there’s a side hustle for you to bump your income with.

Here, take a look at the hustles you can add to your 9-5 job.

ALSO READ: Surviving remote work in Nigeria with NEPA, network wahala

1. Freelance Writing and Content Creation

Where else will we start from? Freelancing has become popular in recent times, and there’s hardly any skill you can’t sell. However, writing tops the chart for freelancing skills.

Organisations and brand influencers are constantly looking for talented writers to help craft different kinds of content. If you can string words together, this is a line you should explore. Register on freelance platforms like Upwork and make the best of your spare time to practice and market your skills.

2. Social Media Management

If you’re a social media user who can’t put your devices away, you should definitely try social media management. Many small businesses are online but are unsure about growing their social media presence and engaging with customers online.

You can learn to manage Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook accounts for them for a fee. The best thing about this hustle is that you can do it anywhere. Whether you’re at the office, at home, or on the go, pull out your phone, log in to your employer’s page, and tap away.

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3. Online Tutoring or Coaching

ALSO READ: Side hustles Nigerians are winning with in 2025

Although often underrated, this is one way to make money from home. Find the subject you’re good at and develop yourself as an online teacher. There will always be students, professionals, and hustlers looking to learn something new.

You can offer services like coaching, academic tutoring, or mentorship. Whatever the case, you can be sure that people will pay anything to learn something new. Make the best use of your skills during your after-hours time.

4. E-commerce (Without Breaking the Bank)

These days, you don’t have to rent a shop to become a business tycoon. People are owning and controlling businesses from the comfort of their homes. There are so many types of businesses you can start, control, and market on your mobile phone.

Whether it’s mini-importation, thrift selling, or resale of beauty products, just be sure to connect with the right audience that will patronise you when you upload online.

5. Photography or Videography

If you have a good eye (and maybe even a good phone camera), you can start photography part-time. There’s always an event that needs the service of a skilled photographer, from weddings and birthdays to Instagram shoots.

Just be strategic about details like quality and pricing. Potential clients won’t mind booking appointments on weekends or off business hours, as long as you deliver the quality they desire.

There are so many others, from digital data entry to soap and cream making. The secret lies in finding something you enjoy doing and developing yourself in it. You never can tell what will give you that connection that elevates you to another level. So start hustling and start earning!

It’s the end of the month, and we’re preparing to enter another month. But well, with the new month comes new goals.

If you haven’t joined the “new month, new goals’ mindset, now’s a good time to, because what better time do you have to reevaluate your journey so far than when you’re starting another calendar cycle?

But does it stop in goal setting? You definitely want all-around success, and that’s why we’re writing this article to help you achieve it.

Here, let’s review five useful tips that can position you rightly for success as you step into the new month and beyond.

ALSO READ: 5 Monthly recap prompts to track your goals

1. Reflect, Then Reset

Before you rush into the new month, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself questions like:

• What worked last month?

• What didn’t?

• What lessons did I learn?

Take 10-15 minutes to journal or reflect on the highs, lows, and “never again” moments. Reflection helps you step into the new month with clarity, rather than just repeating old mistakes. Don’t forget to celebrate your wins, irrespective of how small they may seem.

2. Set 3 Big Goals

Don’t overwhelm yourself with 29 random tasks. Pick just three major goals for the month – personal, professional, and financial, for example.

Make sure they’re:

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• Specific (Save 50k before the end of this month.

• Measurable (You can track it.)

• Realistic (Ambition is good, but so is sanity.)

Write the goals down and put them somewhere you’ll see daily. This can help you stay focused as you seek to become more successful.

3. Plan Your Money Moves

Money stress is the enemy of productivity.

At the start of every month, create a simple budget with specific details of what’s coming in and what’s going out. Next, set savings goals, irrespective of how small or big they may seem. At this point, it’s more about consistency than size. So don’t worry if it seems like you’re not doing enough.

4. Declutter Your Space (And Your Mind)

ALSO READ: Why you need a life audit and 7 simple steps to get started

Messy space, messy life. Take an hour to clean up your physical space from your work desk, to your wardrobe, and even your car.

Don’t forget also to declutter your mind: unfollow drama accounts on social media, delete junk emails, and clear your download folder.

5. Commit to One Habit Upgrade

Success is built on tiny, consistent habits.

Each month, pick one new habit to focus on. Just one. There are many healthy habits you can choose from, but here are a few recommendations.

• Drink more water

• Read 10 minutes a day

• Sleep earlier

• Morning workouts

Keep it simple. Build momentum.

By the end of the year, that’s 12 new habits without feeling overwhelmed!

EXPLORE: 5 ways to get your financial goals back on track

When remote jobs come up in discussions, we often focus on the flexibility they offer and the opportunity to escape daily commutes.

But while these are important benefits of remote work, the harsh reality of unreliable electricity in Nigeria makes it difficult for people looking to explore this area.

So the question begs: can remote work truly thrive in a country where constant power cuts are the norm?

The truth is that most parts of Nigeria receive an average of 2 to 3 hours of light daily. As a remote worker who needs to meet deadlines and maintain good online communication constantly, you know this is a huge deficiency that can impact your work.

Add that to the ever-fluctuating mobile networks, and you can see there’s so much to be desired. So, how can you survive working in such conditions?

ALSO READ: The rise of remote work in Nigeria – Best cafés & co-working space

Here are special strategies that can help you remain at the peak of productivity, even in the most unfavorable conditions.

Find a Backup

First of all, hope is not a strategy. You can’t completely rely on having electricity during your most crucial work hours. It makes sense to find a backup you can switch to during outages. There are so many options, but the most popular are:

Generator or Inverter:

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If you’re working full-time from home, a small generator or a solar inverter can save your sanity. These small generators are not too expensive, and they’re fuel-efficient, allowing you to reduce your reliance on NEPA.

Power Banks:

If you’re serious about remote work, you’d know better than to not invest in power banks. Keep at least two fully charged power banks on hand at all times. Laptops, phones, Wi-Fi modems – everything needs to stay alive for as long as the power outage lasts.

Extra Internet Options:

We can’t always trust these networks, and that’s why it makes sense to have alternatives. Get at least two different networks, such as mobile hotspots, MiFi, or dongles. This gives you an opportunity to switch networks when your primary provider is not strong enough.

ALSO READ: The Best Breakfast Spots in Lagos: Where to Start Your Day Right

Time Your Power Moves

Since NEPA often has a “mood,” you have to plan your work around power schedules (yes, even if they’re unofficial). Different areas have different unofficial power schedules. Find what works in your area and time your work to suit. There are usually more chances of having electricity early in the morning, so start your day early and rest during power outages.

Choose Your Work Battles Wisely

Not every meeting needs video.

Not every project requires heavy internet use. So know when to use which. With the rising cost of the internet in Nigeria, you want to make the best out of every subscription. The following tips exist to help you handle things better.

• Use audio calls over video where possible.

• Prioritize lightweight apps like Slack, Asana, Google Docs, etc.

• Download the offline version of important apps

Inform Before Trouble Strikes

Be proactive, not reactive.

If you sense power or network issues coming (rainy season, grid collapse news, or your generator coughing strangely), send a quick heads-up to your boss or team.

They appreciate the honesty, and you save face.