By Iheanachor Prosper Uzoamaka

Parents used to scold their children for staring at phone screens all day, warning that scrolling through social media would never pay the bills. Fast forward to today, and those very screens are helping thousands of families stay afloat across Nigeria. Faced with a challenging job market and limited corporate opportunities, many young Nigerians are no longer waiting for traditional employment. Instead, they are building their own digital careers from the ground up.

Walk into any neighbourhood and you will see it happening in real time. A student is scripting a comedy skit for TikTok, a vendor is updating her Instagram clothing store, and a freelance video editor is working on content for a client in London. Armed with little more than a smartphone, an internet connection, and determination, young people are creating opportunities for themselves while bypassing the traditional barriers to employment.

The Rise of the Creator Economy

Content creation is no longer just a hobby or a way to gain likes and followers; it has become a thriving industry. From comedians and dancers to tech reviewers and lifestyle vloggers, young Nigerians are turning everyday content into sustainable sources of income.

By building loyal audiences on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, creators become valuable partners for brands seeking to reach consumers online. What often begins as a passion project can grow into a full-time career through brand partnerships, sponsored content, advertising revenue, and affiliate marketing.

Digital Marketing and Social Commerce

Beyond entertainment, social media has transformed the way business is conducted. Entrepreneurs no longer need millions of naira to rent physical shops in markets such as Kubwa or Wuse. Instead, many operate successful online businesses directly from their homes.

The rise of the “WhatsApp status vendor” has become a symbol of modern micro-entrepreneurship. Young Nigerians now sell products ranging from skincare items and thrift clothing to gadgets and food through social media platforms.

At the same time, established businesses increasingly depend on digitally skilled youths to manage their online presence. This has created growing demand for freelance social media managers, digital marketers, content strategists, and online customer service representatives.

Breaking Borders Through Freelancing

Perhaps the greatest advantage of social media and digital platforms is the opportunity to work beyond Nigeria’s borders. Talented graphic designers, writers, video editors, virtual assistants, and customer support agents are securing international clients through online platforms.

By working remotely, many young professionals earn in foreign currencies while living in Nigeria. This not only provides financial stability but also helps them build strong professional portfolios and gain valuable global experience.

Challenges Along the Way

Despite these opportunities, the journey is not without obstacles. High data costs, unreliable electricity, inconsistent internet access, and intense competition continue to pose significant challenges for many digital entrepreneurs. Success in the online space requires persistence, creativity, and continuous learning.

Despite the hurdles, Nigerian youths continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation. Social media has evolved far beyond a platform for communication and entertainment; it has become a powerful tool for entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic empowerment.

As the digital economy continues to expand, social media is proving that opportunities can be created rather than waited for. For many young Nigerians, a smartphone is no longer just a communication device it is an office, a marketplace, and a gateway to a better future.

Iheanachor Prosper
200lv student of Department of Development and strategic communication, University of Abuja

By Yusuf Faizah
Sports betting has gradually evolved from a recreational activity into a way of life for many Nigerian youths. What was once a weekend pastime has become a daily routine, with betting shops filled with customers and mobile betting apps recording thousands of users every day. From university campuses to busy city streets, betting has become deeply embedded in youth culture.

One of the major reasons for this growing trend is the promise of quick financial rewards. In a country where unemployment and economic hardship remain significant challenges, many young people see betting as an alternative source of income. The possibility of turning a small stake into a substantial payout makes it particularly attractive to students and job seekers seeking financial relief.

Technology has further accelerated this trend by making betting more accessible than ever. With a smartphone and internet connection, users can place bets within minutes from virtually anywhere. At the same time, betting companies continue to expand their reach through aggressive advertising, sponsorship of sports programmes, and promotional bonuses that attract new customers.

At the centre of this betting culture is football, Nigeria’s most popular sport. Millions of young Nigerians closely follow leagues such as the English Premier League and believe their knowledge of teams, players, and statistics gives them an advantage in predicting match outcomes. This confidence often encourages repeated participation, even after experiencing losses.

Beyond economic hardship, the widespread promotion of betting and its growing social acceptance have also contributed to its popularity. Constant exposure to betting advertisements, discussions among friends, and success stories shared on social media have helped normalize gambling as part of everyday life for many young people.

However, this growing culture comes with significant risks. Many young people lose money they cannot afford to lose, while others develop gambling habits that negatively affect their education, employment, finances, and personal relationships. The excitement of occasional wins can quickly give way to frustration and financial distress as losses accumulate.

Sports betting can serve as a form of entertainment when approached responsibly, but it should never be viewed as a dependable source of income. As the industry continues to expand, greater efforts are needed to promote responsible gambling, strengthen public awareness, and address the economic conditions that push many young Nigerians toward betting in the first place.

Unless these issues are addressed, sports betting may continue to evolve from a recreational activity into a culture of financial dependence, with far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s youth and society as a whole.

Yusuf Faizah
200 Level Student, Department of Development and Strategic Communication, University of Abuja.

By Abba Anwar

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf makes a list of potential Awardees across West African sub-region, observed and screened by an African association named Réseau des Jeunes du Sahel pour le Progrès, le Développement et la Démocratie (Network of Sahel Youth for Progress, Development and Democracy), on infrastructural development in their respective states.

The top most Award from the association, called Sankofa Award of Excellence across various sectors, is given to people or leaders who excel in their respective areas of work or responsibilities.

With the recent disclosure made by the Commissioner of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, on the state of infrastructural development and payments of contracts in the state, the association included Kano to be part of the states across Nigeria and West African countries, screened for an Award of Excellence.

Source close to the association reveals that, Governor Yusuf’s achievements in the area of infrastructural development, could not be neglected and the Governor stands a better position to be seen and amplified across the globe. As a result of his commitment and service to humanity.

Parts of the major reasons that informed the association’s decision to include Governor Yusuf for Sankofa Award of Excellence for Infrastructural Development in West Africa is his genuine inclusion of infrastructures that are human centred, modern, location specified and standardization process and procedures.

According to the source, the Screening Committee saddled with the responsibility of selecting qualified personalities across West Africa are in their final stage of releasing the result. Assuring that, under infrastructural development, Kano excels. Though not officially announced.

When Governor Yusuf gets this Award, he will be the second person from Nigeria who bags the Award. Last year the Deputy Senate President Barau I Jibrin, PhD, CFR, got the SANKOFA Award for Legislative Excellence in Africa. Coincidentally, Governor Yusuf who is also from Kano state, would be the second Nigerian in this category.

The President of the association Mr Fassoko Doumbia, from Mali, confirmed to my source that, from all indication, “Kano State Governor, from Nigeria, Mr Abba Kabir Yusuf is in the forefront of those screened for the Award.”

With this recognition of excellence, the Award places Governor Yusuf to be one of the best Nigerian governors. And the best across West Africa on infrastructural development. One good thing about the Award is, it will as well serve as an engine oil for state commitment and unwavering service delivery.

Mr Doumbia reveals further that “… it is amazing looking at the unmatched number of completed and ongoing projects as Kano has 799 completed projects and 709 projects at various stages of completion. It is encouraging to see that Governor Yusuf is executing over 1,508 developmental projects across all 44 LGAs.”

What keeps hope and commitment alive are the transparent monitoring, evaluation and effective payment to contractors. Of which out of N928 Billion of the total contract sum, the state has already paid over N600 Billion, that’s 64.7% payment rate.
Unlike in many states in Nigeria and West Africa. The association believes that Kano institutionalized transparency through the Ministry of Public Procurement, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation.

The screening committee appreciated Kano’s strategic and balanced infrastructure spread, between urban and rural areas plus improved security. For urban renewal it has the sum of N169 Billion. While there are 5km roads in 38 LGAs with the sum of N118 Billion. They appreciated the rural infrastructure across 44 LGAs with the sum of N397 Billion for roads, education, healthcare, and social services.

While under security infrastructure the total sum of N6.863 Billion for Neighborhood Security Watch offices in 36 LGAs. This assured deliberate, balanced development with value for money, quality delivery, and measurable impact on the lives of the people. All courtesy Governor Yusuf.

It serves also as indices of how Governor Yusuf makes the list for such Award, that his infrastructures are signals for the delivery of landmark, human-centered projects as Kano completed tangible projects that directly improve lives of the citizenry, with 40 metropolitan roads, 44 PHCs, 120 schools, 5 water plants, with the ongoing Dan Agundi and Tal’udu flyovers at over 80% completion.

It has also been discovered that, Kano enjoys proven technical leadership and political will. Which glaringly displays the political will and technical competence required to drive massive infrastructure without corruption or delays. This is part of the major engagements being identified, which eventually resulted into the popular Sankofa Award of Excellence.

Anwar writes from Kano
Saturday, 25th July, 2026