At Obafemi Awolowo University, academic life extends beyond lecture halls, assignments, and exams. While many students concentrate solely on their studies, some also run businesses alongside their academic work. These students handle customer interactions, manage finances, and work on expanding their brands, all while attending classes and preparing for exams. These are the stories of some studentpreneurs on the OAU campus, revealing the inspiration behind their businesses and how they balance academics with entrepreneurship.
Studentpreneurs Share their Stories
Joseph FearGod, who is a 400-level Human Development and Counselling student, has been a studentpreneur for four years. She does not have a business name yet, but she is preparing to create one after school. For now, she sells things to meet her daily needs. ‘I was getting money from home, but I did not want to call too much, so I decided to work for it,’ she said. Over the years, she has done a lot of things to survive. She has sold pap, data, doughnuts, and eventually she makes potatoes and ponmo sauce.
One of her thrilling moments was when she bought a blender for herself from her earnings, but business is not always easy. ‘One time, I made potatoes worth 15,000 naira, only to find that the school had announced a strike. I came to school to sell, and no one was around. It hit me so hard, and I was depressed for weeks,’ she recalled. She also explained there were struggles with moving around campus, trying to sell to students who sometimes respond harshly, yet she does not stop.
FearGod manages her business and studies by careful time management. When exams come, she concentrates on academics first, which she considers her main priority in school.
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Aboluwarin Oluwatamilore Grace, a 400-level Mass Communication student, runs BAYBIE, a cosmetics brand focused on eco-friendly lip care products. She was motivated by African entrepreneurs breaking boundaries, like Rihanna with Fenty. ‘I started this business because it offers both independence and the creative freedom to build something meaningful from scratch,’ she said. Her best moments are when she is making lip glosses, balms, and scrubs and of course, when money starts coming in. She has faced struggles with market expansion, as sales slow during school breaks and finding reliable retail partners has been hard. Visibility and promotion also pose difficulties, as influencer marketing is costly. Personal social media efforts help, but expanding reach remains a priority. To manage her business alongside academics, Grace finds a balance. ‘I do school when I should be doing school, and I make lip care when I should be. There is a time for everything, as fondly said,’ she explained.
Tamilore with her products.
Ibrahim Ifeoluwa Balqees, a Part 4 FNCS student, runs CLASSICAL APPAREL, where she is a fashion designer. She was inspired to start the business by her level of creativity and zeal for sewing. Ifeoluwa has been running the business for a year. Her most memorable experience has been the joy of delivering beyond her customers’ expectations and reading their sweet reviews. However, she has encountered difficulties such as poor electricity and frequent increases in the cost of fabric and accessories. Ifeoluwa controls both her business and academics by having a daily schedule, proper time management, and prioritising the most dominant and pressing tasks.
Ifeoluwa in an attire she made.
Ogunyemi Faith Aarinola, a Part 3 Law student, owns AARINOLA’S Collections and Tie-Trends, a clothing and shoes brand, as well as a necktie and accessories brand. She was motivated by her mother, who is also a business-oriented person. She explained that seeing her mom venture into multiple businesses inspired her to pursue her own entrepreneurial journey. Her most thrilling moments are seeing people wear her designs and selling to over 100 customers during a resumption sale. Faith has also faced setbacks, like being scammed by a vendor in her early days as an entrepreneur. ‘I had found a vendor on Facebook who offered cheap goods. After receiving a lot of orders, I placed an order with the vendor, who promised doorstep delivery. Unfortunately, I later realised it was a scam. I waited at my gate for the delivery and kept calling the vendor, but it became clear that I had been taken advantage of.’ She explained. ‘Studying law is stressful, and being an entrepreneur doubles that stress,’ she added. Learning time management has helped her find a balance between business and academics.
Aarinola is repping her brand.
Finally, Tiamiyu Kudirat Opeyemi, a 400-level Accounting student, runs Unique Closet, a clothing brand focusing on corporate pant trousers for men and women. She observed what students wear most and decided to fill that need. One memorable experience was sourcing stock directly from the market rather than her usual supplier. She explained that her struggles include slow sales, especially after restocking and posting consistently without getting the visibility needed. However, she stays motivated. In managing both her academics and business, she said, ‘One has to do the most important thing first, which is my academics, because that is my main aim for coming to campus. One should not bite more than they can chew. By prioritising the most important things, the business will not affect academics. It is not easy, but it is not impossible as well.’
These stories demonstrate that, despite the academic pressures students experience, some can effectively manage their education while running businesses. They get to expand their ventures without sacrificing their academic responsibilities, showing that entrepreneurship and education can coexist successfully.