Financial independence could bring about increase of self-respect and self-love.
The ₦33k monthly allowance paid to corps members by the federal government and the stipends paid by some states government in Nigeria is not enough.
Finding ways to supplement your monthly allowance during your service year is crucial.
As a corps member in Nigeria, there are several business ideas and side hustles to start and earn money during NYSC this year.
To be comfortable as a serving corps member, you have to skill up, harness already acquired skills, venture into a business, or continue calling home for assistance.
If you have chosen not to call home, that is a very good decision.
Today, you’ll learn how to earn extra cash as a serving corps member.
Here are the best ways to earn money during NYSC as a corps member in Nigeria:
1. Private Lessons
80% of corps members today, are being deployed to the education sector which includes schools, colleges, and universities.
Leverage your academic background to become a tutor in subjects you excel at, offering private lessons to primary school pupils in your community.
Help students improve their academic performance while earning extra income on the side.
Meet with parents and/or your principal to plan and schedule for extra lessons.
Asides the usual evening lessons, also plan for holiday classes.
Prepare students for JSSCE, WASSCE, JAMB, NECO, GCE, and Post-UME by arranging for a center and collaborating with other corpers.
With consistency and good reviews from students and parents, you will start seeing your students increasing daily.
The more your students or home tutorials, the more money you get to earn monthly.
2. Writing Services
There are lots of opportunities for good writers.
Apart from online writing jobs which isn’t that easy to secure, assist undergraduates write their project for a fee or write for local publications or journals and earn some cash.
If you are posted to a tertiary institution, approach the students with good courtesy and packaging that you can help them with their industrial training reports, seminar topics, projects or assignments.
Most of these students don’t have time for such on their own due to laziness or some other factors.
So, you can do that for them and collect your money.
Imagine you writing an assignment for 50 students or project work for 9 students in 3 departments.
You should know how much is likely going to enter your pocket.
One research project costs over ₦50k and you can write about 10 a year if you are good at it.
This is cool money.
3. Catering
If you know how to cook good food and make some snacks like egg roll, moimoi, chin-chin, fish roll, doughnuts, cakes and meat pies, you can start making money from it by selling at your PPA and CDS meetings.
Also, you can teach people and make more money from such service.
If you are good in making homemade smoothies, fruit juices, Nigerian soups, and delicacies, well, there are a lot of people who work a lot and don’t find time cooking at home.
You can supply them food in bowls (liters) and get paid.
All you need to do is put yourself out there.
Word of mouth is one way through which people know you.
Upload pictures of your work on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and get people to refer you.
If you work in a school, discuss with your school principal and supply your products to the school canteen.
Get permission from the management to sell to the students and staff to avoid any problems.
4. Popcorn Business
The popcorn business is a profitable venture to do during NYSC.
It has proven to be lucrative over the years because of its easy setup and vast market for it.
Almost everybody eats popcorn.
Its demand is high among students.
The adult eats it, the young eat it even the children eat it.
This is definitely something to look into for those with little capital.
5. Plantain Chips Production
Production of plantain chips is the frying of perfectly sliced ripe or unripe plantain in hot oil until it’s dry, crispy and crunchy.
Plantain chips is a form of snacks, desserts or appetizer.
The market size is large and wide.
It is a widely acceptable snacks if well prepared.
The process involve in production is so simple that a novice in food technology can produce and start a business on it with little amount.
The profit margin is good in relation to other manufacturing businesses.
You can fry sweet and crunchy plantain chips, package, and brand it well, then sell to schools and other retailers in your area and earn money.
6. Video Game Centers
This is very lucrative for the male corps members.
Set up a small shop and get video games there, encourage students to start patronizing you by giving discounts on the games they play.
If you have 50 students playing game at your shop daily, that is a lot of cash.
You won’t need any subscription for this, only a source of power (NEPA or generator).
7. Personal Fitness Trainer
If you’re passionate about fitness and wellness, consider becoming a personal gym or exercise trainer.
Offer tailored workout plans, nutritional guidance, and motivational support to clients looking to achieve their health goals.
8. Laundry Business
Laundry is a service that provides washing, drying and ironing of clothes and other textile items.
This business is for corps members who enjoy doing laundry and can afford to take other people’s laundry off their hands.
Ensure you have constant water and light in your location for this.
If you fix your prices well, there are high chances of a patronage and decent profits too.
9. CV Writing and Editing
A curriculum vitae, often known as a CV, is a detailed document highlighting your professional experience, academic history, and talents that are typically used for job applications.
This is the document that your prospective employer would review before inviting you for an interview.
Many graduates and job seekers need help with their CVs and cover letters.
If you are good at writing and editing, offer this service.
A well-crafted CV can make a significant difference in job applications, and many are willing to pay for this service.
10. Become a House Agent
Connect your fellow corps members looking for affordable accommodations and charge inspection fee and agency fee when deal is successful.
Agency fee can range between 5% to 10% of the annual rent or total package, depending on the agreement.
The tenant or landlord pays you the agency fee after the deal closes.
