Juggling Grades and Goods: The Highs and Lows of Student Entrepreneurship

Esther Ilori

In today’s challenging economic climate, students in Nigeria are increasingly venturing into entrepreneurship, balancing academic responsibilities with business pursuits. From baking and bead-making to thrift selling, students are engaging in various enterprises to support themselves financially and gain valuable skills. For many, entrepreneurship is a means of survival in a tough economy, while for others, it is an opportunity to explore passions, build networks, and develop skills for the future.

Interviews with students at the University of Ibadan reveal the diverse motivations driving them to pursue business alongside their studies. Flourish Okwuasaba, a final-year student of Communication and Language Arts, cited the prevailing narrative among Nigerian youth: “Get your skills, as your certificate alone cannot help you.” Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, she remarked, “I’m not the daughter of Dangote.”

For 200-level student Zukiyat Yahaya, financial necessity was the primary motivation. “I needed to survive somehow, so I took the step,” she shared. Similarly, Oyinkansola Onile explained that her motivation stemmed from a desire to help people manage their health.

The Struggle to Balance Business and Academics

While the benefits of combining academics with business pursuits are numerous, students face significant challenges in maintaining balance. Time management and pressure are common obstacles.

Oyinkansola, whose business is online and service-based, admitted that balancing academics and business has been far from easy. She emphasised the importance of time management in navigating her responsibilities.

For Zukiyat, however, the idea of achieving balance is unrealistic. “Balancing business responsibility with academics is not a thing,” she stated, explaining that the physical and mental demands of running a business alongside attending classes leave little energy for academic pursuits.

She added, “One would affect the other either positively or negatively. It is not easy, and anyone planning to do both should study themselves well enough to know if they can cope.”

Flourish also agreed that achieving balance is a near-impossible task. “I prefer the term ‘juggle’ because balance is out of sight for me,” she said. In addition to being a student and business owner, she holds a position in her department and works a 9-to-5 job. Despite these challenges, she has managed to stay afloat by following a schedule, prioritising tasks, delegating responsibilities, seeking help from friends, and relying on prayer.

Flourish reflected on the lessons she has learned from balancing her roles. Time management is crucial, as even a small distraction can waste valuable time. Self-care is essential to avoid burnout and having a strong support network can make a significant difference. Passion, she noted, serves as a reminder of why one undertakes such a demanding journey in the first place.

The students offered valuable advice to peers considering starting a business while in school. Flourish recommended starting small: “Do not bite more than you can chew.” She emphasised the importance of thorough research, understanding the target audience, and staying organised by prioritising tasks and setting realistic goals. She also highlighted the need for patience, saying, “Building a successful business takes time, effort, and perseverance. But start regardless.”

Oyinkansola stressed the importance of mastering time management, calling it “your ultimate support.” Zukiyat offered a straightforward perspective: “If you feel you can do it, do it. Just know your priorities.”

Balancing academics with business pursuits is undoubtedly a challenging endeavour, requiring discipline, resilience, and a clear sense of priorities. While it may not be for everyone, those who choose this path can reap financial benefits, gain invaluable skills, and prepare themselves for life after university. As these students have demonstrated, success in this balancing act hinges on effective time management, support systems, and an unwavering passion for one’s goals.