Nigeria’s economy is testing everybody’s patience, but Gen Z? They refuse to go down without a fight. From Lagos to Lekki, Abuja to Abeokuta, the hustle spirit is strong and creativity is louder than ever. Here are the top side hustles young Nigerians are using to stay afloat in 2025.
1. Social Media Management for Small Businesses
Gen Zs are turning their TikTok and Instagram skills into real money. Boutique owners, restaurants, skincare brands because everyone wants content and young people are cashing out by managing pages, designing posts and creating reels.
2. UGC Content Creation
User-Generated Content blew up in Nigeria. Brands now pay Gen Z creators to make natural, simple videos showing how their products work. No fancy cameras needed, just a good phone and authenticity.
3. Thrifting & Reselling Clothes (Okrika Plug)
Many are buying thrift items in bulk and reselling on WhatsApp, IG Stories and TikTok Live. The profit margin is crazy, especially for jeans, cargos and vintage shirts.
4. Food Pre-Orders & Snack Packaging
Homemade snacks like small chops, cookies, zobo, parfait and spiced meat are turning into weekend money machines. Gen Zs use pre-order systems to avoid loss and still earn big.
5. Tech Freelancing (Graphics, UI/UX, Editing)
With free online courses everywhere, young Nigerians are picking one tech skill and making side cash from Fiverr, Upwork, LinkedIn and referrals.
6. Remote Customer Service Jobs
International companies hire Nigerians for part-time customer support roles. Many Gen Zs handle emails, chat support or night-shift calls from home.
7. TikTok Live Selling
This is the new quick money. People go live selling wigs, perfumes, thrift items, gadgets even makeup. The algorithm favors consistent sellers and cash flows in real time.
8. Home & Beauty Services
Nails, lashes, makeup, hair revamps, body massage, pedicure and young people are setting up small home studios and pulling clients through social media.
9. Mini-Importation
From phone accessories to perfumes and Crocs, Gen Zs are importing cheap items from China and reselling online. Logistics companies now simplify the whole process.
10. Tutoring & Online Classes
Students and fresh graduates are teaching languages, WAEC subjects, dance, makeup, digital skills anything they know. People will pay for knowledge.
11. Renting Out Personal Items
Yes, it’s a thing. Clothes for shoots, cameras, studio time, even wigs. Gen Zs rent out what they’re not using and make passive income. Feels weird until you hit the streets of TikTok.
12. Event Hosting & Mic Work
If you have vibe, presence or humor, MC’ing birthdays, bridal showers, games nights and campus events is paying well.
13. Affiliate Marketing
You don’t need capital but just a phone and traffic. People earn commissions by promoting products from brands, websites and online stores.
14. Saving & Investment Groups (Ajo, Contributions)
Gen Zs are reviving traditional methods. Peer savings groups help people survive monthly expenses and keep a steady cash flow. Most people also use thirds party apps for saving money and the interest has been thier other steam of income.
15. Digital Product Sales
E-books, templates, planners, presets, Notion dashboards, recipe guides anything you can create once and sell forever.
Final Thoughts
The Nigerian economy might be shaky, but Gen Z? They’re built for innovation. With creativity, skill and social media, young Nigerians are finding new ways to survive and even thrive. One thing is clear: hustle no dey ever finish, but Gen Z dey always reinvent am.
If you are a Genz or someone looking to build wealth in 2026 . Key into any of the about skills.
