In Nigeria today, the word “side hustle” has practically become a survival code. Everybody is chasing extra income or at least trying to. Not because they want to, but because the economy will not let them rest. Yet, for the average 9–5 worker, managing a side hustle is not as easy as social media makes it sound.
Let us start with the reality. According to recent labour data, over 60% of working Nigerians commute more than two hours daily, some even spend close to four hours between traffic, bus queues, and danfo “wahala”. By the time they get home, it is past 8 p.m., and their brains are fried. So, when people say, “Just start something small after work,” it sounds motivational until you are the one dragging yourself through Third Mainland Bridge traffic at 7:30 p.m.
Still, Nigerians do not stop hustling. The grind is cultural. Many 9–5ers are juggling gigs like freelance writing, hair making, online thrift stores, WhatsApp hair sales, dropshipping, baking, event planning and even YouTube channels or TikTok skits. It is a whole underground economy powered by tired but determined people trying to stretch the value of one naira.
The real challenge of a side hustle
The challenge is time, rather, the lack of it. A regular office worker leaves home by 6:00 a.m., gets to work by 8:00 a.m., and returns between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. That leaves maybe two usable hours at night, and even that is if there is light and no sudden office email. So, the question is not “Can they do it?” It is “How long can they keep doing it before they burn out?”
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But here is where it gets interesting. For those who manage their time well, side hustles have become more than just a backup plan; they are lifelines. Some have built small businesses that now pay better than their main jobs. When managed with structure, setting clear work hours, using weekends productively, collaborating with friends, or automating small tasks, a side hustle can actually reduce financial anxiety and create stability.
People like Titi, a banker who started selling skincare products online, now earn more from her brand than from her salary. “It started as a side thing,” she says, “but now it pays my rent.” Her story is not rare. Many Nigerians are slowly transitioning from “salary-only” to “salary-plus,” and this is because the economy is not smiling.
Of course, not everyone finds that balance. The pressure to do everything can backfire, health suffers, relationships dry up, and burnout becomes a constant companion. The real trick is knowing when to rest, when to outsource, and when to say no.
So, can Nigerian 9–5 workers really manage a side hustle? Yes, they can, but it is not for the faint-hearted. It takes structure, discipline, and honest self-awareness. Because in this country, where prices change overnight and salaries stand still, the side hustle is not just an ambition anymore, it is survival.
