If there is one thing Nigerians know how to do, it is survive. And in 2026, survival has a new name

👉 SIDE HUSTLE.

With food prices rising, fuel doing its own madness, and salaries remaining the same since the time of Moses, Nigerians have turned into CEOs of small hustles and business is booming.

Here are 10 easy side hustles Nigerians are using right now to beat the economy.

1️⃣ TikTok/Instagram Reels Content Creation

You don’t need to be funny.You don’t need to dance.

You just need:

• a phone
• clean background
• trending audio
• and vibes.

Many Nigerians are making ₦50k–₦500k monthly from brand deals, affiliate links, and TikTok gifts.

2026 is officially the year of “Ring light + Hustle = Money.”

2️⃣ Talking Stage Adviser / Relationship Content

Believe it or not, relationship talk is a hustle. People are making money by:

• hosting TikTok Lives
• selling ebooks
• relationship hot takes on X
• running “Anonymous confession pages”

If you can talk about heartbreak, cheating, and red flags, you’re already a consultant.

3️⃣ Mini-Importation (Phones, Perfumes, Gadgets)

Buy for ₦3k, sell for ₦10k. Buy for ₦10k, sell for ₦25k.

People are importing:

• power banks
• perfumes
• sunglasses
• jewelry
• earphones
• hair equipment

You only need a WhatsApp status and two “Interested 🔥” customers.

4️⃣ POS + Bill Payment Services

Still one of the hottest hustles. Even with bank apps, Nigerians still trust human beings more than technology.
A good location = daily cash. Some people earn ₦5k–₦20k per day.

5️⃣ Food Tray, Shawarma & Small Chops Business

If you can cook, congratulations, the economy cannot finish you. Turn your kitchen into a money machine by selling:

• shawarma
• small chops
• smoothies
• fried rice packs
• office lunch bowls
• food trays for birthdays and anniversaries

People are eating “comfort food” to escape national stress.

6️⃣ Freelancing (Graphics, Writing, Editing, Social Media)

The dollar is high, which means freelancing pays. You can make money in:

• graphic design
• video editing
• content writing
• social media management
• voice-over work

With Fiverr, Upwork, and even Nigerian clients offering remote gigs, this is now a top Gen Z hustle.

7️⃣ Airbnb & Short-Let Agent Commissions

You don’t need to own an apartment. Just become a connector and post available short-lets on TikTok, IG, WhatsApp, and you earn 5–10% commission whenever a guest books. Some people are making ₦150k–₦500k monthly as middlemen alone.

8️⃣ Perfume Oil & Skincare Rebranding

This is one of the cheapest and most profitable hustles. Buy in bulk → repackage → sell under your brand. Perfume oils especially move FAST. Profit margin? Sometimes 200% – 300%.

9️⃣ Crypto/USDT Buy & Sell

Even during low markets, Nigerians are still trading. Buying and selling USDT is now a daily hustle, quick profit, fast turnover, and low stress. People doing it full-time are stacking ₦30k–₦100k per day.

🔟 Weekend Ride-Hailing / Dispatch Logistics

If you have a car or a dispatch bike, you’re already sitting on money. Weekend Uber/Bolt driving can give you ₦20k–₦40k daily. Dispatch riders make even more on food delivery.

Logistics is not going anywhere.

🌟 Final Word: Nigeria Hard, But Nigerians Harder

2026 may be challenging, but Nigerians refuse to give up. Everywhere you go, someone is selling something, creating something, teaching something, or connecting someone.

This is the era of multiple streams of income, the era of no shame, just results, the era of small hustle, big money. If you’re not doing a side hustle yet, this year will convince you.