Part-time Job Opportunities for Students in Lagos: Don't Get Scammed (Seriously)
okay, so like, let’s talk Lagos. it’s… a thing. a chaotic, beautiful, slightly terrifying thing. i’ve been bouncing around here for the last six months, mostly fueled by instant noodles and the desperate hope of finding a decent gig. and lemme tell you, the job market for students is… well, it’s a jungle. but there are pockets of opportunity, you just gotta know where to look. i’m talking about the kind of opportunity that doesn’t involve selling your soul for a few naira. mostly.
first off, the basics. rent’s insane. like, seriously insane. you’re looking at around 80,000 - 150,000 naira a month for a decent studio in areas like Yaba or Surulere. if you’re aiming for Ikoyi or Victoria Island, brace yourself - it’s gonna be a serious dent in your budget. food? 20,000 - 40,000 naira a month, depending on how much you’re willing to compromise on quality. transport? Uber’s a thing, but it’s pricey. the danfos are… an experience. let’s just say they’re a masterclass in controlled chaos. and safety? well, Lagos is Lagos. be aware of your surroundings, don’t flash cash, and trust your gut. seriously. it’s the best advice i can give you.
*Here’s a breakdown of some potential gigs, straight from the streets (and my slightly sleep-deprived brain):
*Customer Service: Loads of call centers and startups are desperate for people who can speak English. Pay’s not amazing, but it’s a start. Check out sites like Jobberman (https://www.jobberman.com/) - it’s a bit of a mess, but you’ll find stuff.
*Tutoring: If you’re good at a subject, offer your services to younger students. Word-of-mouth is huge here. I heard a rumor from a guy selling phone accessories in Ikeja that he makes like 50,000 naira a month tutoring math. Don’t quote me on that, though. it sounded like he was heavily exaggerating.
*Social Media Management: Small businesses are always looking for someone to manage their Instagram. It’s surprisingly lucrative if you know what you’re doing. Check out Fiverr - you can find gigs starting at 5,000 naira an hour.
*Event Staff: Concerts, weddings, corporate events - there’s always something going on. You’ll probably be stuck serving drinks and making sure nobody spills anything. Not glamorous, but it pays.
*Delivery Rider: Food delivery is booming. You’ll need a bike and a smartphone. Companies like OgaNow (https://oganyow.com/) are hiring.
*Freelance Writing/Editing: If you’ve got a decent grasp of English, you can find freelance work online. Upwork (https://www.upwork.com/) is a good place to start.
Cost of Living Data (Rough Estimates - Naira):Expense Low End High End Rent (Studio) 80,000 150,000 Food 20,000 40,000 Transport 10,000 20,000 Data/Internet 5,000 10,000 Entertainment 5,000 15,000 Miscellaneous 10,000 20,000 Total (Monthly) 130,000 255,000
Overheard Gossip (from a market vendor near Oshodi): “Student dey hustle? Good. But don’t fall for the ‘intern’ scams. They’ll take your passport and disappear. My cousin, he thought he was getting a free internship at a tech company. Next thing you know, he’s selling suya in Ibadan.”
Another one (from a taxi driver near Lekki): “Lagos is like a fever dream. You gotta be quick, you gotta be smart, and you gotta be willing to hustle. Don’t be afraid to ask around. People here are usually happy to help, as long as you’re genuine.”
And finally, a warning from a friend who got burned: “Seriously, don’t trust anyone who offers you a ‘guaranteed’ job with a high salary. It’s a trap. Stick to freelance work or small businesses. It’s safer.”
Resources:
*TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ (For finding decent restaurants and things to do - you’ll need a break from the grind)
*Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/ (Similar to TripAdvisor, but with more local reviews)
*Lagos Subreddit:* https://www.reddit.com/r/Lagos (A good place to ask questions and get advice from locals)
seriously, stay safe, stay smart, and don’t let the hustle get you down. and if you need a coffee, let me know. i’m always up for a caffeine fix. it’s the only thing keeping me going right now.”
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/housing-market-in-baidoa-renting-vs-buying-trends
- https://topiclo.com/post/public-transportation-guide-how-to-survive-recife-like-a-drummer-who-missed-the-last-bus
- https://topiclo.com/post/lost-in-the-chill-of-kirkenes-a-vintage-coat-adventure
- https://topiclo.com/post/rochester-rhythms-a-dancers-deep-freeze-diary
- https://topiclo.com/post/manaus-brazil-humidity-monkeys-and-a-whole-lotta-confusion