Are you a fresh graduate looking for ways to make money while serving your country? Do you want to use your skills and talents to earn extra income and build your portfolio? If yes, then you are in the right place.
In this blog post, I will share with you 18 lucrative side hustles that you can do as a NYSC graduate. These are not your typical jobs that require you to work 9 to 5 or commute long distances. These are flexible, creative, and rewarding opportunities that you can do from anywhere, anytime, and with minimal investment.
But before we dive into the list, let me first explain what a side hustle is and why you should consider having one.
What is a side hustle?
A side hustle is any activity that you do outside your main job or career to earn extra money. It can be anything from freelancing, blogging, tutoring, selling online, to offering services like graphic design, photography, or social media management.
Why should you have a side hustle?
Having a side hustle as a NYSC graduate has many benefits, such as:
- It helps you supplement your monthly allowance and cover your expenses.
- It allows you to pursue your passion and interests without quitting your main job.
- It gives you the opportunity to learn new skills and gain valuable experience.
- It enhances your resume and portfolio and makes you more attractive to potential employers.
- It boosts your confidence and self-reliance and prepares you for the real world.
Lucrative Side Hustles for NYSC Graduates
Now that you know what a side hustle is and why you should have one, let’s look at some of the best options that you can choose from. These are based on my personal experience and research, and they are suitable for anyone with a laptop, internet connection, and some creativity.
1. Tailor: If you have a passion for fashion and sewing, then you can turn it into a profitable business. You can offer your services to fellow corps members, staff, and locals who need to mend or customize their clothes. You can also create your own designs and sell them online or at local markets. All you need is a sewing machine, some fabrics, threads, and needles.
2. Hairdresser: Another skill that can earn you money is hairdressing. You can style, cut, dye, or braid hair for both men and women. You can also sell hair products and accessories to your customers. You can set up a small salon in your lodge or rent a space nearby. You will need some basic tools like scissors, combs, brushes, clips, hairdryers, curling irons, etc.
3. Makeup artist: If you love makeup and beauty, then you can become a makeup artist. You can offer your services for weddings, parties, photoshoots, or any other occasion that requires a glam look. You can also teach makeup classes or tutorials to other people who want to learn. You will need some quality makeup products, brushes, sponges, mirrors, etc.
4. Freelance writing: If you have a knack for words and enjoy creating content, freelance writing can be a great way to make money online. You can write articles, blog posts, newsletters, ebooks, or web copy for various clients and platforms. You can also choose your niche and topics based on your expertise and passion. Freelance writing can pay anywhere from N5,000 to N50,000 per article, depending on the length, quality, and demand.
5. Tutoring: If you have a strong academic background and love teaching, tutoring can be a rewarding and profitable side hustle. You can tutor students of different levels and subjects, either online or offline. You can also create your own courses and sell them on platforms like Udemy or Skillshare. Tutoring can pay anywhere from N1,000 to N10,000 per hour, depending on the subject, level, and location.
6. Graphic design: If you have an eye for aesthetics and know how to use design software like Photoshop or Illustrator, graphic design can be a fun and creative side hustle. You can design logos, flyers, posters, banners, or social media graphics for various clients and projects. You can also sell your designs on platforms like Fiverr or 99designs. Graphic design can pay anywhere from N2,000 to N20,000 per design, depending on the complexity and demand.
7. Blogging: If you have a passion for a specific topic and want to share your knowledge and opinions with the world, blogging can be a great way to build an audience and make money online. You can start your own blog using platforms like WordPress or Blogger and monetize it with ads, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or digital products. Blogging can pay anywhere from N10,000 to N100,000 per month, depending on the traffic, niche, and monetization strategy.
8. Podcasting: If you have a voice for radio and enjoy having conversations with interesting people, podcasting can be a great way to showcase your personality and expertise. You can start your own podcast using platforms like Anchor or SoundCloud and monetize it with ads, sponsorships, donations, or merchandise. Podcasting can pay anywhere from N5,000 to N50,000 per episode, depending on the listenership, niche, and monetization strategy.
9. Social media management: If you are savvy with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn and know how to create engaging content, social media management can be a great way to help businesses and brands grow their online presence and reach their target audience.
You can manage their social media accounts, create and schedule posts, respond to comments and messages, and analyze their performance.Social media management can pay anywhere from N20,000 to N100,000 per month, depending on the number of accounts, platforms, and goals.
10. Virtual assistant: If you are organized,
detail-oriented, and good at multitasking,
virtual assistant can be a great way to help busy professionals and entrepreneurs with their daily tasks and projects. You can offer services like email management, calendar management, data entry, research, booking travel arrangements, or customer service. Virtual assistant can pay anywhere from N10,000 to N50,000 per month, depending on the number of hours, tasks, and clients.
11. Web development: If you have coding skills and know how to create websites or web applications using languages like HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, or Python, web development can be a great way to showcase your technical abilities and solve problems for various clients and projects. You can create websites or web applications from scratch or customize existing ones using platforms like WordPress or Shopify. Web development can pay anywhere from N50, 000 to N500,000 per website or web application, depending on the complexity and demand.
12. E-commerce: If you have a product or service that you want to sell online or have access to a supplier that can provide you with goods at a low cost, e-commerce can be a great way to start your own online business and reach a large market.
You can sell your products or services on platforms like Jumia, Konga, or Paystack or create your own online store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. E-commerce can pay anywhere from N10,000 to N1,000,000 per month, depending on the product, price, and sales volume.
13. Photography: If you have a camera and a flair for capturing beautiful moments, photography can be a great way to express your creativity and make money from your hobby. You can take photos of different subjects and events like weddings, birthdays, portraits, or landscapes and sell them on platforms like Shutterstock or Getty Images or offer them as a service to clients. Photography can pay anywhere from N5,000 to N50,000 per photo, depending on the quality, subject, and demand.
14. Video editing: If you have video editing skills
and know how to use software like Premiere Pro
or Final Cut Pro, video editing can be a great way to create captivating videos for various clients and projects. You can edit videos of different genres and purposes like documentaries, commercials, music videos, or YouTube videos and charge by the hour or by the project. Video editing can pay anywhere from N10,000 to N100,000 per video, depending on the length, quality, and demand.
15. Transcription: If you have fast typing skills
and a good ear for different accents and languages, transcription can be a great way to make money online by converting audio or video files into text. You can transcribe files of different topics and formats like interviews, podcasts, lectures, or webinars and charge by the minute or by the word. Transcription can pay anywhere from N500 to N5,000 per audio or video hour, depending on the quality, topic, and language.
16. Translation: If you are fluent in more than one language and have good writing skills, translation can be a great way to make money online by converting text or speech from one language to another. You can translate documents, books, articles, subtitles, or audio files of different topics and genres and charge by the word or by the project. Translation can pay anywhere from N1,000 to N10,000 per 1,000 words, depending on the quality, topic, and language pair.
17. Data analysis: If you have analytical skills and know how to use software like Excel, SPSS, or R, data analysis can be a great way to make money online by helping businesses and organizations make sense of their data and derive insights and solutions. You can analyze data of different types and sources like surveys, sales, social media, or web analytics and charge by the hour or by the project. Data analysis can pay anywhere from N20,000 to N200,000 per project, depending on the complexity, scope, and goal.
18. Copywriting: If you have persuasive writing skills and know how to write copy that sells, copywriting can be a great way to make money online by creating marketing materials for businesses and brands. You can write copy for different mediums and purposes like websites, landing pages, sales pages, emails, ads, or slogans and charge by the word or by the project. Copywriting can pay anywhere from N5,000 to N50,000 per 1,000 words, depending on the quality, niche, and goal.
These are some of the best side hustles for NYSC graduates that you can start today and earn some extra income while serving your country. Of course, there are many more options out there that you can explore and find the one that suits your skills, interests, and goals.
The key is to choose a side hustle that you enjoy doing, that adds value to others, and that pays well. You also need to be consistent, professional, and reliable in delivering your work and satisfying your clients.
Remember that side hustles are not only about making money but also about learning new skills, expanding your network, and building your portfolio. They can also help you discover your passion and purpose and pave the way for your future career.
So what are you waiting for? Pick one of these side hustles and start hustling today!
