Student Village Academy › Forums › LIFESTYLE › 7 Young Nigerians on Their First ₦1 Million and How They Made It
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July 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM #80535
justseyi
KeymasterSource: https://www.zikoko.com/money/how-young-nigerians-made-their-first-1-million/
Everyone remembers the first million naira that hits their account. For some, it came after months of grinding. For others, one big project changed everything. But across the board, it meant one thing: “I can actually do this.”
We spoke to six young Nigerians about how they earned their first ₦1 million — the work it took, the lessons, and how it changed how they see money.
“I made over ₦1 million in one night from a single design project” — STR, 24
I started designing in 2019, but I made my first ₦1 million in 2022 off a merch design project that took just one night.
School was on strike after COVID-19, and I’d been stuck at home for over a year. That downtime gave me space to keep designing and posting my work consistently on Twitter (or X now).
That’s how an old schoolmate who had relocated to Canada found me. He was working on a merch drop and needed five designs for tees, hoodies, and beanies.
I’d done freelance projects before this, charging between ₦50k and ₦150k depending on the brief. But this gig? The total came to just over ₦1 million. It felt surreal.
I wasn’t even chasing a million. I’ve always been more focused on enjoying the work than the money. So when the payment landed, it literally blew my brain.
I reinvested most of the money into my own clothing brand— producing samples, handling corrections, and prepping for merch drops. Since then, I’ve had more gigs; a few of those one-time clients have turned into long-term retainers. I still get most of my clients through Twitter, even the ones who now pay in dollars. That job showed me that the key isn’t just the skill; it’s building solid relationships and staying visible.
“I made my first ₦1 million in 3 months from affiliate marketing” — Ayodeji, 28
Before making my first ₦1 million, I worked as a sales rep, pushing products and trying to make ends meet. But everything changed when I stumbled into affiliate marketing.
It took me just 2–3 months to make my first million. What made it possible? I already had a small but loyal audience — around 2,000 subscribers on my Telegram channel. Once I started promoting the right offers, the sales picked up quickly. I knew how to sell, and now I had people listening.
The hardest part was getting people to trust you. In this business, your audience must believe in what you’re recommending. But I never thought about giving up. I was too focused on making it work.
When I finally crossed the ₦1 million mark, I felt nothing crazy. I wasn’t jumping for joy or emotional. I was like, “Okay, cool. What next?”
Looking back, I wish I’d handled the money better. I made poor financial decisions: betting, buying things I didn’t need, and spending with no plan. I thought the money would keep coming forever. It didn’t.
Now I know better. If something makes you money, reinvest in it. Don’t blow it, and definitely don’t start living like a millionaire just because you made one. That’s how people get stuck.
Today, I’m in a better financial place. It’s not exactly where I want to be yet, but I’ve learned my lessons. I’m managing my money properly, staying focused, and building back smarter.
“I hit ₦1 million for the first time when three programming gigs paid me at once” — Ajao, 27
I’m a senior software engineer and creative director. I also run a clothing brand.
I made my first ₦1 million in 2021 almost by accident. At the time, I had just landed my first real job as a backend engineer, earning ₦250k a month. Before that, I did odd jobs and mostly relied on my dad for money. Around the same period, I picked up two freelance programming gigs. All three payments hit my account around the same time, and just like that, I had a little over a million naira sitting in my account.
It felt surreal because I finally had proof that the plan was working.
I started learning to code right after NYSC. Although I studied Computer Science in school, I came out not knowing how to actually build anything. I knew I had to start from scratch. I threw myself into YouTube tutorials and Udemy courses, leaned heavily on a cousin who was already a senior engineer and kept close to friends who offered real guidance.
My mum gave me the push that really stuck: “Learn to code so you can have the financial freedom to chase your real dreams.” I’ve always been drawn to creativity: directing, designing, and building things, but I couldn’t afford to pursue any of it. Coding became my way in.
So I put my head down and tunnel-visioned my way through tech, knowing it was my bridge to something bigger.
The day after I hit my first million, I walked into a store and bought a MacBook M1 Pro for ₦860k. It was the most I’d ever spent on anything, but it changed everything. I didn’t just want to code anymore; I wanted to design, create, and experiment. That laptop gave me range. It’s still one of the best investments I’ve made in myself.
Today, I earn around ₦1 million monthly from my 9–5. On the side, I’ve launched a merch brand and creative label. Our first drop in 2021 moved 16 pieces in two months. Since then, we’ve stayed consistent with small, focused releases. This year’s most recent drop pulled in ₦2 million in revenue in under a month — our quickest yet.
It’s not all profit, but the progress is real. Every drop, every gig, every process has reinforced one thing: I’m not here for a lucky break. I’m building something that lasts and only just getting started.
“I made my first ₦1 million working remotely after NYSC camp”— Aduke, 21
I’m a public health policy researcher and writer at an international policy agency. I turn complex health data into readable content for organisations like Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. On the side, I freelance as a content writer and editor.
I made my first ₦1 million earlier this year, about two months into my current role. I got hired about a month before NYSC camp, but settling in and navigating camp slowed me down at first. It’s not a fixed-salary job; I earn $6 per hour, and how much I make depends on how many hours I work. Some weeks I clock five hours, other weeks up to 40. But once camp ended and I could focus properly, the hours and the money increased quickly.
Before that, I was in medical school, running a jewellery business I built from scratch: designs, packaging, website, everything. It grew faster than I could fund it. A ₦250k government grant helped a bit, but logistics ate most of it, and I had to shut it down. I returned to survival mode: applying for scholarships, grants, internships — anything.
Writing wasn’t the plan. However, after reading one of my grant applications, my brother said, “You should try writing.” So I did.
My first internship paid ₦20k a month for what felt like Olympic-level work, but I kept at it. I didn’t think I’d get it when I applied for my current job. I almost didn’t submit the application, but I included my seminar and final year papers, and that’s what got me the interviews and then the job.
Now, I write white papers, policy scorecards, and stakeholder briefs for global health organisations. I get paid biweekly in dollars and convert through Grey. In some pay cycles, it’s ₦90k, and others go as high as ₦500k, depending on workload.
When I hit my first ₦1 million, I bought a new phone (my old one was held together by hope), sorted my NYSC needs, sent money to my mum and siblings, and managed to save a little. That first bulk transfer to my mum? Unmatched joy.
I’ve made some money mistakes — unnecessary spending and panic-refreshing my bank app at 2 a.m.- but I’m learning. I’ve started planning better, pacing myself, and forgiving myself when I slip.
Right now, I’m stable. I’m not living the soft life yet, but I’m no longer in survival mode either. I’m doing work I never imagined I’d be trusted with this early in life. I still want more growth and income streams, but I’m deeply proud of where I am and how far I’ve come.
“It took three jobs and a lot of discipline to hit my first ₦1 million” — Folafunmi, 26
I’m an HR manager currently serving in a government agency. I also juggle two other jobs: a remote gig that pays in crypto or dollars, depending on my client’s mood, and another HR consulting role.
I made my first ₦1 million shortly after I finished school in the last quarter of 2024. It came from a combination of all three jobs. I’d been grinding nonstop, working hard every month, and spending very intentionally. That’s what made it possible.
Before this, I’d worked in a store as a salesgirl, and I knew immediately that wasn’t the life I wanted. I love nice things, and I was made for them. My first real taste of HR came during my SIWES internship, and I’ve stayed in the field ever since. It just made sense.
The hardest part of the journey to hitting ₦1M was holding back on the things I love, especially shopping. I had to cut back, focus, and stay disciplined. Honestly, I didn’t expect to ever hit that kind of money so early, especially with Nigeria’s economy and all the unexpected bills life throws at you.
But when I finally did? It felt so good. Because I know what it’s like to be broke, and it’s not cute or character-building. I never want to go back there.
Making that first million taught me that hard work pays off. Now, I’m in a good place financially. I can support people I care about, and the money always finds its way back to me. I budget monthly, plan ahead, and always make sure I have something extra for surprises.
Career-wise, I want more, so I’m doing more, learning, working, and staying consistent. I believe the next level is coming soon, God willing.
“I got my first ₦1 million from directing Ghana Jollof” — Diji Aderogba, 30
I’m a film director and street-style photographer currently based in the UK.
Before I moved, I directed films in Nigeria. My first significant financial milestone came in 2021 when I was hired to direct Ghana Jollof, the first Showmax comedy series in West Africa. That job paid me my first ₦1 million — technically part payment, but it was the first time I saw that amount hit my account at once.
That project changed everything. I’d consistently made self-funded shorts and built an industry name. I eventually worked with IROKOtv and then Kayode Kasum. From there, things opened up — Basketmouth had seen my work and recommended me to Showmax. That connection made Ghana Jollof happen.
When the money landed, I turned off my phone and slept. I remember waking up, ordering food worth ₦10k, and returning to work. I knew I had to finish the job well to get my balance. It felt terrific to earn that much from something I loved doing.
I saved some, spent some, and sent money to my mum. It made me feel like a real man to my woman — I could now hold it down. The money came at just the right time, making me feel like I could finally show up for the people I cared about.
“One brand deal paid me over ₦1 million and blew up my rate” — Royhan, 22
I’ve always created content, even while running other businesses. Back in uni, I started a lip gloss brand and created beauty content for it myself. That’s how I fell into it — product shots, videos, reviews. It all felt natural.
After I finished uni in 2024, I went all in. I knew I didn’t want to work with my degree, and I wasn’t going to wait around for a job that wouldn’t even pay me what I was worth. So, I doubled down on content creation.
In January 2025, a brand I’d previously reviewed reached out for a one-off video. But I saw an opportunity. I highlighted how well my earlier content around their product had performed, then pitched something bigger. That single video gig became a one-year contract worth ₦3 million, paid in two instalments. The first payment, just over ₦1 million, landed immediately.
That was the first time I’d seen that kind of money in one go. It felt surreal. But more than anything, it clarified that this thing is real. I invested part of the money back into my lip gloss business and part into the very thing that brought it — content creation. I upgraded my gear: lights, more tripods, and all the tools to elevate my work.
That one deal blew up my rate. If a single project brought in over a million, then I have no business underpricing myself. When the next one-year offer shows up, the rate is higher, no debate. I understand the industry better now. I know my worth, and I won’t hesitate to charge accordingly.
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