Beyond the Classroom: The Nigerian Undergraduates Juggling Academics with Entrepreneurship

Nimattallahi Mohammad, a 400-level student of Faculty of Law at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has successfully merged her academic pursuits with entrepreneurial endeavours. Her brainchild, Baru Shea Butter, was inspired by the rich abundance of high-quality shea nuts in Baruten, Kwara State.

With an initial investment of ₦50,000 from her brother in 2019, Nimattallahi began her business journey, gradually expanding her reach to supply shea butter nationwide and internationally. 

“I realised that Kwara, especially Baruten and Kaiama, has one of the best qualities of shea butter, yet many people do not know about it. I decided to explore this opportunity and introduce the product to a larger market,” she said.

Juggling the demands of her academics with entrepreneurship has been a challenge, but Nimattallahi has developed strategies to overcome these obstacles. “Being a law student is already tedious, and combining studies with entrepreneurship has not been easy. However, as an entrepreneur, you must be ready to face and counter challenges,” she explained.

Nimattallahi credited social media for playing a pivotal role in her success, leveraging platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram to connect with customers. 

Beyond the financial benefits, Nimattallahi takes pride in being able to alleviate her parents’ financial burden. For aspiring student entrepreneurs, Nimattallahi offers sage advice: “Identify opportunities within your environment, start small, remain consistent, and harness the power of social media to promote your brand.”

New face of Nigeria’s business landscape 

Juggling academics with entrepreneurship is no small feat, but some university students have mastered the art of balancing both. For many, financial independence is a key motivator, while others are driven by a desire to solve pressing problems in their communities. Through resourcefulness, discipline, and time management, they have been able to build thriving businesses without compromising their academic performance.

With Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 4.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2024, and youth-led startups topping the country’s business index, entrepreneurship has become a vital path to self-sufficiency. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) contribute 48 per cent to the national GDP, account for 96 per cent of businesses, and 84 per cent of employment. 

For many students, venturing into business is not just about making money—it’s about securing a future in an unpredictable job market. Speaking with Campus Reporter, Daniel, a student of the Department of Chemical Pathology in School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, said he started his business as a barber in the hostel to meet two needs: solving personal financial challenges and addressing a common problem in his hostel.

“My inspiration came from two reasons: first, to solve some of my financial problems, and second, to provide a solution for students facing challenges in getting good haircuts within the campus,” he said.

While he admitted that managing academics and entrepreneurship is tough, effective time management has helped him stay on track. 

“I make sure to use every minute wisely. Time is a very important resource, and if well managed, you can balance both,” he explained. “I can now handle my personal expenses without relying heavily on my parents. That sense of independence is priceless.”

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For Sodiq Ajisafe, a student of Faculty of Pharmacy, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, he founded Fastfil, a service that helps students refill their gas cylinders conveniently and affordably. The SME also allows students to order foodstuffs, reading materials, cooking utensils online and so on. 

His motivation came from two main factors: exploitation and personal experience.

“I hate seeing students being exploited with exorbitant transportation fees just to refill their gas cylinders. Also, some students don’t understand Hausa, so they tend to use it to exploit students in the market,” he told Campus Reporter “As a pharmacy student, my schedule is so tight that refilling my gas cylinder or buying foodstuff became a daunting task. Now, the task is a bit easier as I have employed people to run the business while I manage their activities.”

Despite his demanding academic workload, Sodiq has found ways to balance both responsibilities. “Discipline and proper time management have been my strategies. I plan my time effectively to ensure my business does not affect my academics,” he added.

He further advised students who want to navigate into entrepreneurship to identify a gap in their environment and find a way to fill it. “Start with what you have—don’t wait for the perfect moment. Learn how to manage your time effectively,” he ended.

Experts react

Speaking with our reporter Dr. Adebayo Kolawole,  a Business Administration Lecturer at Ekiti State University, believes entrepreneurship among students is commendable, as it enables financial independence and enhances essential skills like problem-solving and decision-making.

“Engaging in business while in school helps students develop leadership and financial management skills. These are qualities that will be useful beyond the university environment,” he noted.

However, he warned that students must maintain a balance. “Academics should not be neglected. If students fail in their studies, the essence of being in school is defeated,” he cautioned.

Another lecturer at the Taraba State University, Aliyu Adamu, said “schools should integrate real-world business scenarios into their curriculum to encourage hands-on learning. Students should also be mentored and guided to ensure their businesses are sustainable,” he said.

“Many universities offer business incubation programmes, grants, and mentorship for students. They should take advantage of these opportunities.”

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This story is supported by the National Association of Campus Journalists (NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.