Campus Hustlers: Inside the Lives of OAU’s Student Entrepreneurs
Across campus, some students are doing more than just attending lectures; they're building businesses and earning income while still in school. For these students, it is not just about first-class dreams or CGPA struggles anymore; many are chasing visions, starting businesses, and redefining what it means to be a Nigerian undergraduate.
THE WHY BEHIND THE HUSTLE
For some, entrepreneurship was not an ambition; it was the only way to stay afloat. With the rising costs of living and limited financial support, launching a small venture became a means to reduce dependence on home.
“I did not want to be broke as a student, and I wanted to have something to call my own,” says Matilda Adeyemi, a part 4 student from the Department of Kinesiology, Health Education, and Recreation. According to Matilda, it has always been part of her plan to be an entrepreneur, but she had difficulties figuring out what she wanted to sell. When she did, it was with the help of friends and family.
As expected, Matilda was not the only one to start her entrepreneurship journey like this. Oluwaferanmi Ariyo from the Department of Arts and Social Science Education was inspired to start a business as an additional source of income apart from the stipends she receives from home. She added that her interest in entrepreneurship began in secondary school, where her love for business first developed, and she decided to pursue it more effectively here at university.
Also, there is Boluwatife Adebayo, a part 2 student from the department of foreign languages, who decided to be a student entrepreneur to help herself with little things without asking her parents.
NATURE OF BUSINESSES
Students on campus run various brands or businesses ranging from clothing brands to food delivery, makeup services, photography, and digital marketing. Some operate under personal names, while others have formal brand identities with logos, social media pages, and growing client bases.
Student entrepreneurs derive their business ideas from their passions. For someone like Eniola Fadeji, a part 4 student from the Department of Economics, her business idea was inspired by her love for cooking. She established her brand in November 2024 under the name “SUGA & SPICE.” It is currently a cloud kitchen, and she acquires her customers through effective online marketing.
Oluwatosin Emmanuel's journey as a student entrepreneur is similar to that of Eniola. Oluwatosin, a second-year student from the Department of Family Nutrition and Consumer Science, also got her business idea from her passion for baking. She started her brand on 21st April 2024, and she acquired her first customers through her sister. She runs her business both online and offline.
THE BACKBONES OF THESE ENTREPRENEURS
To start any kind of business comes at a financial cost, but for students, the stakes are even higher as it often involves both financial and emotional costs. To fund their businesses, some students rely on family and friends for support, while others use their savings or loans.
Matilda, whose brand name is TTB Perfumery, is a fragrance entrepreneur. She started her business in May 2024 and has been helping people smell fresh and pleasant ever since. Her family and well-wishers are her backbone. Similarly, the support system of Oluwaferanmi, the owner of Feraluxura Scents and Enterprises, is also her family. While Matilda sells only one product, Oluwaferanmi offers a wider range; she started her perfume business in January and added a foodstuffs business in November. However, Tife started her business using money initially meant for her personal foodstuffs. Her mum also supported her, along with friends who encouraged her by patronising her business. Tosin, like Tife, received support from her mum, dad, sister, and friends who helped promote her brand through word of mouth and social media.
GROWTH AND CHALLENGES
Running a business as a full-time student is far from easy. Combining the demands of school, i.e. tests, deadlines, and academic pressure, with the demands of running a business is a considerable challenge. Here are some of the ways the entrepreneurs interviewed appear to be coping with the pressures of balancing academics and running a business:
"When I often feel like giving up, I just take a break," Tosin admitted. She said that she prays to God for strength and advises young entrepreneurs to avoid "underpricing" their goods. For Eniola, her biggest challenge is receiving low orders and dealing with incompetent dispatch riders, but when things become overwhelming, she listens to soothing music or spends time with loved ones. Her advice for student entrepreneurs is to "avoid mixing business with pleasure; be a bit strict with your business policies and present your business respectfully." Since starting her business, she has learned to accept constructive criticism. Matilda copes with stress by calling her sisters to vent, speaking with friends, and then receiving their advice on how to handle the situation.
FINANCIAL REALITIES
Funding remains one of the biggest hurdles. While a few started with family support, most began with small savings or income from freelance work. Some use their profits to support themselves, while others are still reinvesting to grow.
Matilda is still reinvesting, hoping to make large profits soon, and only uses her profit money when she is in dire need. Oluwaferanmi has also reinvested some of her profits and used the rest for personal needs.
VISION AND ADVICE
All five student entrepreneurs who were interviewed plan to continue their entrepreneurial journey beyond graduation—some as full-time ventures and others as side hustles. Funding and mentorship remain key desires to help them scale up.
"If I had more funding, I’d improve my packaging and launch a signature scent line,” says Matilda. Oluwatosin wants to invest in equipment to ease her workload, Oluwaferanmi aims to expand her perfume stocks, Tife dreams of starting an additional business, and Eniola plans to deepen her culinary skills.
Their advice for hesitant students is to start small, be ready to make mistakes, and trust God for growth.
At OAU, these student entrepreneurs embody resilience, creativity, and determination. Their stories not only reflect the challenges of balancing academia and business but also the empowerment that comes from creating their own paths. Their journey shows that with passion, support, and persistence, student entrepreneurs can turn their dreams into thriving realities.
This is an amazing article. Great work
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