You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start making money from a skill. 

For many young Nigerians, skills can become more than just hobbies or personal interests; they can also be a source of income. Initiatives such as the GATEWAY Program, a Mastercard Foundation program implemented by CcHUB, are helping eligible young people explore how to turn their digital skills into economic opportunities.

The young people in this article share how they moved from learning and practising their skills to earning from them. Their experiences also highlight the challenges of getting started, building a portfolio, and finding people willing to pay for their work.

“I started designing for fun. Now, it pays my bills” — Khadija*, 24, F

My graphic design career as a response to my pet peeve. I like aesthetically pleasing things and really dislike seeing ugly designs or mismatched colours. Whenever I saw a badly designed flyer, I’d try to recreate it in my mind. Then, in late 2023, I stumbled upon a free graphic design course on YouTube and decided to try it.

At first, I designed just for the sake of creating beautiful things and sharing on my social media. I also made some flyers for my friends for free just to practise. One day in 2024, someone asked me to design a flyer for their business and offered me ₦2,000. I was so excited because it was the first time somebody would pay me for something I created.

I kept sharing my designs on WhatsApp and Instagram, and gradually, more people started reaching out. Now, I’m a full-time freelancer who designs flyers, social media posts, and logos for small businesses. My monthly income ranges from ₦100k to ₦350k, which is enough to cover my bills as a single lady. The money isn’t always consistent, but I’ve learned how to find clients and charge for my work. I still can’t believe that something that I started doing for fun has become a genuine source of income for me.

“I found video editing while trying to be a TikTok influencer” — Lara*, 20, F

In 2025, when I was in 200 level, I had this wild dream of becoming a TikTok influencer. Some people in my uni were influencers, and I wanted to be like them. So, I started experimenting with editing apps on my phone, copying transitions I liked and posting videos. My career as an influencer didn’t take off, but I accidentally discovered a skill: video editing.

In December, my friend introduced me to someone who needed short videos for her Instagram business page. I charged ₦10k per video because I was still learning, but that job gave me the confidence to keep going. I started posting my work online and reaching out to content creators. 

Now, I edit reels and TikTok content for two steady clients, earning about ₦80k per month. I’m still improving, but I’m happy that something I genuinely enjoy brings me extra money.

“I learned digital marketing and social media while job-hunting.” — Jeff*, 26, M

After graduating in 2022, I applied for several jobs but didn’t get the response I hoped for. I didn’t want to sit at home waiting for an opportunity, so I started learning digital marketing and social media management through online resources and content creators. I learned how to create content calendars, write captions, plan campaigns, and help businesses improve their social media presence.

I offered to manage my sister’s Instagram page. She sold thrifted clothes, and I just wanted to gain experience. But six months after I started, the page began to get more engagement, and she agreed to pay me ₦10k per month for data. I eventually got another client through a referral.

Last year, I finally got a 9-to-5 job offer, but I declined because they wanted to pay me ₦100k/month. Why would I take that when social media management pays me at least ₦200k in a good month?

“UI/UX design allows me to earn a living without leaving my house” — Dave*, 31, M

I wanted to get into tech in 2024 because I heard there was money there, but I struggled to understand programming. Then someone suggested UI/UX design, and I realised I could use creativity to design digital tech products. My uncle paid for me to join an academy where I learnt how to use Figma. Besides that, I also watched tutorials and practised by redesigning the interfaces of popular apps.

I used these sample designs as part of my portfolio and started plugging them everywhere, telling everyone who cared to listen that I was a UI/UX designer. I also applied for internships and freelance projects. I got several rejections before my first opportunity that paid me ₦80k in mid-2024. 

Now, I work remotely at a fintech and earn ₦450k/month. Imagine working and earning without leaving home. I love it.

“I turned my love for social media into income” — Joy*, 19, F

My friends always came to me when they needed help promoting something online because I knew how to write captions and make posts that caught people’s attention. I never considered it a skill until someone suggested I could manage social media pages for businesses.

I started by helping a small laundry business at my university plan its posts, respond to comments, and create simple promotional content. I had to learn how to communicate professionally and understand what the business wanted to achieve. After a while, I started charging the business owner for my services and looking for more clients.

It’s not a major source of income for me right now because I’m still in school and only take on clients once in a while, but when I’m serious about it, I can make up to ₦50k a month. I know this is a skill that can always make me money, whether I get a corporate job after school or not. I’m now looking at learning graphic design and video editing so I can offer more services and grow my income.

Inspired by these stories? You can start building your own digital skills journey. The GATEWAY program offers eligible young Nigerians aged 18–35 a free opportunity to make money from their skills.

Whether you’re interested in graphic design, digital marketing, UI/UX design, video production, or editing, explore GATEWAY and register here to take your first step.