₦77,000 monthly allowance is decent, but with a side hustle, you can double or triple that income. This guide shows realistic side hustles corps members are doing to earn extra money during service year.
Why Corps Members Need Side Hustles
Reality check:
- ₦77,000 might not cover all expenses in expensive states
- You have free time after work (4pm-10pm weekdays, full weekends)
- Service year is perfect time to build additional income streams
- Extra money = savings for after NYSC
- Skills you learn now can become full-time income later
Many successful entrepreneurs started their businesses during NYSC.
Best Side Hustles for Corps Members
1. Freelance Writing
What you do: Write articles, blog posts, website content for clients
Skills needed:
- Good English and grammar
- Research ability
- Meeting deadlines
Where to find work:
- Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer
- Nigerian job boards
- LinkedIn (reach out to businesses)
- Content writing agencies
Earning potential: ₦20,000 – ₦100,000+ monthly
Time commitment: 10-15 hours weekly
How to start:
- Create profiles on freelance platforms
- Start with low rates to build portfolio
- Join writing WhatsApp groups
- Pitch to small businesses directly
2. Online Tutoring
What you do: Teach students online (primary, secondary, JAMB/WAEC prep)
Subjects in demand:
- Mathematics, English, Sciences
- JAMB/WAEC/NECO prep
- SAT/IELTS for those targeting abroad
Platforms:
- Tuteria, Lessonspace
- Create your own classes via Zoom/WhatsApp
- Social media marketing
Earning potential: ₦30,000 – ₦150,000+ monthly
Time commitment: 5-10 hours weekly (evenings/weekends)
How to start:
- Register on tutoring platforms
- Post on Facebook/Instagram offering lessons
- Join parents WhatsApp groups
- Start with ₦2,000-₦5,000 per hour
3. Social Media Management
What you do: Manage Instagram, Facebook, Twitter accounts for small businesses
Tasks:
- Creating content and graphics
- Posting regularly
- Responding to messages
- Running ads (basic)
Tools you need: Canva (free), scheduling apps
Earning potential: ₦25,000 – ₦80,000 per client monthly (manage 2-3 clients)
Time commitment: 1-2 hours daily
How to start:
- Learn basics on YouTube (free)
- Offer free service to one business (for portfolio)
- Reach out to small businesses in your area
- Start at ₦15,000-₦30,000 per client
4. Graphic Design
What you do: Design flyers, logos, social media posts, banners
Tools: Canva (beginner), Photoshop, Illustrator (advanced)
Where to find work:
- Fiverr, Upwork
- Local businesses and events
- Churches, small organizations
- Other corps members (events, birthdays)
Earning potential: ₦30,000 – ₦120,000+ monthly
Time commitment: Flexible, project-based
How to start:
- Learn Canva basics (1-2 weeks)
- Create sample designs
- Post on social media
- Join graphic design WhatsApp groups
5. Small Trading/Retailing
What you sell:
- Clothes, shoes, bags (via Instagram/WhatsApp)
- Phone accessories
- Beauty products, hair
- Food items (snacks, drinks)
How it works:
- Buy wholesale, sell retail
- Or dropshipping (no inventory needed)
Earning potential: ₦20,000 – ₦100,000+ monthly
Time commitment: 5-10 hours weekly
How to start:
- Choose a product people need regularly
- Source from markets or suppliers
- Create Instagram business page
- Post products, take orders, deliver
- Start with ₦20,000-₦50,000 capital
6. Virtual Assistant
What you do: Help businesses with admin tasks remotely
Tasks:
- Email management
- Scheduling appointments
- Data entry
- Customer service
- Research
Earning potential: ₦40,000 – ₦150,000+ monthly
Time commitment: 10-20 hours weekly
How to start:
- Learn VA basics on YouTube
- List services on Fiverr/Upwork
- Reach out to busy entrepreneurs
- Join VA Facebook groups
7. Photography/Videography
What you need: Good smartphone or camera, editing skills
Services:
- Event coverage (birthdays, weddings, corp events)
- Portrait photography
- Product photography for businesses
- Video editing
Earning potential: ₦30,000 – ₦200,000+ monthly (event dependent)
Time commitment: Weekends mainly
How to start:
- Practice and build portfolio
- Offer to cover free events (for portfolio)
- Post work on Instagram
- Network with event planners
8. Baking/Catering
What you do: Bake cakes, small chops, cook for events
Popular items:
- Birthday cakes
- Small chops for parties
- Lunch/dinner deliveries to offices
Earning potential: ₦25,000 – ₦100,000+ monthly
Time commitment: Weekends mainly, some weekday evenings
How to start:
- Start with items you can make well
- Market to fellow corps members first
- Post on WhatsApp status and Instagram
- Start small, reinvest profits
9. Makeup Artistry
Skills needed: Makeup application, customer service
Services:
- Bridal makeup
- Birthday/event makeup
- Makeup classes
Earning potential: ₦30,000 – ₦150,000+ monthly
Time commitment: Weekends mainly
How to start:
- Take makeup course (during SAED at camp or online)
- Practice on friends (build portfolio)
- Post before/after photos on Instagram
- Charge ₦5,000-₦15,000 per face initially
10. Content Creation/Influencing
What you do: Create content on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Content types:
- NYSC experiences and tips
- Comedy skits
- Educational content
- Lifestyle vlogs
Earning potential: ₦0 – ₦500,000+ (varies widely, takes time to build)
Time commitment: 5-15 hours weekly
How to start:
- Pick your niche
- Post consistently (3-5 times weekly)
- Engage with followers
- Monetize through brand deals, affiliate marketing
Note: This takes 3-6 months to start earning. Don’t rely on it as immediate income.
Quick Weekend Hustles
These don’t require much skill, just hustle:
MC/Compere: ₦10,000-₦30,000 per event Ushering: ₦5,000-₦15,000 per event
Delivery services: ₦15,000-₦40,000 monthly Rideshare (if you have car): ₦30,000-₦100,000+ monthly Weekend sales rep: ₦20,000-₦50,000 monthly
Time Management Tips
Balancing PPA and side hustle:
Weekdays:
- Wake up early (5am) for 1-2 hours work before PPA
- Use lunch breaks wisely
- Work 6pm-9pm after PPA
- 10-15 hours total weekly
Weekends:
- Saturday: 4-8 hours on side hustle
- Sunday: 2-4 hours
- 6-12 hours total
Don’t sacrifice:
- Your health (sleep well)
- Your PPA duties (maintain professionalism)
- Monthly clearance and CDS
Sample Schedule:
Monday-Friday:
- 5:00am-6:30am: Side hustle work
- 7:00am-4:00pm: PPA
- 6:00pm-9:00pm: Side hustle work
Saturday:
- Morning: Client meetings/deliveries
- Afternoon: Content creation/orders
- Evening: Rest
Sunday:
- Morning: Church/personal time
- Afternoon: Planning for next week
- Evening: Side hustle prep
Side Hustles to Avoid
These are risky or not worth it:
- Betting/gambling – You’ll lose more than you gain
- Ponzi schemes – They always collapse
- Get-rich-quick schemes – Usually scams
- Forex trading (if you’re not trained) – Very risky
- Cryptocurrency trading (without knowledge) – Can lose everything
- Anything illegal – Not worth your certificate
- MLM/network marketing (most) – You’ll spend more than you earn
Stick to legitimate hustles where you exchange value for money.
Starting Capital Requirements
Low capital (₦5,000-₦20,000):
- Freelance writing
- Virtual assistant
- Social media management
- Tutoring
Medium capital (₦20,000-₦100,000):
- Small trading
- Baking (basic equipment)
- Makeup (basic kit)
- Photography (if you have phone)
Higher capital (₦100,000+):
- Fashion retail
- Event catering
- Professional photography
- Larger trading
Start with what you can afford. Many successful businesses started with under ₦10,000.
Legal Considerations
Keep it simple:
- You don’t need to register business for small side hustles
- Just operate honestly and pay tax if earning significantly
- Don’t let side hustle interfere with PPA duties
- Be professional in all dealings
Your PPA should know:
- Some PPAs don’t mind side hustles
- Others might be strict
- Be discreet if your PPA is conservative
- Never do side hustle during work hours
Success Stories
Real corps members who succeeded:
Case 1: Corps member started tutoring during NYSC, now runs tutorial center earning ₦500,000+ monthly
Case 2: Started Instagram clothing business with ₦30,000, now full-time entrepreneur
Case 3: Learned content writing during service, now works remotely earning ₦300,000+ monthly
Case 4: Did weekend makeup, got retained at bank AND continues makeup side business
Your service year can be your business incubation period!
Final Tips
- Start early – Don’t wait till Month 6 of service year
- Start small – Don’t quit PPA for side hustle
- Be consistent – Small daily effort compounds
- Save profits – Reinvest and save for post-NYSC
- Learn continuously – Use free YouTube/online resources
- Network – Tell people what you do
- Be professional – Deliver quality always
- Don’t spread thin – Master 1-2 hustles, not 10
- Most important: Your side hustle shouldn’t:
- Stop you from completing service year
- Affect your PPA performance
- Compromise your health
- Make you miss clearance/CDS
Service year is temporary, but skills and businesses you build can last forever.
What side hustle will you start? 💪