Truth Radar Times

June 21,2026 12:19am

By Mustapha Ibrahim Mohammed

Students in Maiduguri are finding it hard to balance school with business. Many young people start small businesses to support themselves, but keeping up with studies while chasing profit is proving to be a tough challenge.

Umar Alhaji Umar, a student of Agricultural Technology at Ramat Polytechnic, recalls how his Point of Sale (POS) business began to interfere with his studies. “I had to stop because it was affecting my academic performance,” he explained. With practical lab assignments requiring significant effort and time, Umar realized that success in his field demanded full commitment.

For Mustapha Abubakar, a Biological Science student at the University of Maiduguri, tailoring has been both a blessing and a challenge. “I make so much money from it, but at first I missed a lot of lectures and had carryovers,” he admitted. The dual pressure of running a business and keeping up with coursework often forced him to rely on friends for help with assignments and tests.

Bitrus, from the Department of Health Education at the University of Maiduguri, shared a similar struggle. His business earns him over ₦5,000 daily, but the pursuit of income came at a cost. “I missed a lot of lectures as I was looking for money like mad,” he said. Eventually, supportive friends helped him manage assignments, but his academic performance dropped, leaving him attending classes mainly to sit for exams.

These stories highlight a growing trend among students in Unimaid, the pursuit of financial independence through business ventures, often at the expense of academic excellence. While entrepreneurship provides immediate relief and income, the long‑term consequences on education remain a pressing concern.

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