We live in a world where degrees often gather dust while skills open doors. Where side hustles sometimes pay more than full-time jobs. Where young people, especially in Nigeria, are no longer waiting for employment letters to start earning.
This World Youth Skills Day, we asked a simple but important question:
“What skill pays you?”
In a country where youth unemployment is high and creativity is currency, we wanted to spotlight real stories of real people who turned their skills into tools for survival, self-expression, and financial freedom.
We spoke to four young Nigerians making money from what they know how to do, and we asked them three intentional questions:
Their responses are raw, real, and full of lessons. If you’ve ever wondered whether your skill is enough, this is for you.
Nnamani Emmanuel — Photographer
Q1: What skill are you currently using to earn money, and how did you first learn it?
“Photography is the skill I currently earn from.
They say a fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree and that couldn’t be truer in my story.
Growing up, I watched my dad capture life through his lens as a professional photographer, and it wasn’t long before I found myself drawn to the magic of photography.
What started as curiosity quickly grew into passion, and over the past eight years, I’ve had the privilege of turning that passion into a profession, specializing in the art of photographing love stories and amazing portraits.
So to answer the question of how I first learned photography, my father ‘put me on’.”
Q2: What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about turning your skill into a source of income?
“There can be more. Growth in this path surprises me so much. Comparing where and when I started photography and my current stage, I’m surprised and grateful.
Turning this skill into a source of income requires a lot of learning and investment in oneself and this wasn’t something I expected at all; likeeeee, the skill takes a whole lot.”
Q3: If you had to teach one thing about your skill to someone starting out today, what would it be and why?
“Find a balance between creating great photographs and the business of photography; THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!
The reason is that a lot of us, photographers and creatives in general, tend to think that doing good work alone will make us money but that’s actually not true.
As my mentor will say, ‘Learn to work ON the business and not just IN the business.’ Balance is key.”
IG: @nnamaniemanuel | @ne.weddings
Ekezie Chika Peace — Graphic & Product Designer
Q1: What skill are you currently using to earn money, and how did you first learn it?
“I’m a Graphic and Product Designer. I started my graphic design journey in July 2022 during my school strike.
My sister needed a flyer for her school political campaign, and she reached out to me because she knew a few of my friends were into design. She pleaded with me to ask them to design a flyer for her.
Most of them gave excuses. Only one said he might be able to help, but it wasn’t certain. I didn’t want to disappoint my sister.
Then I remembered a class I once attended in my 100 level on mobile design (I didn’t pay attention to it then). I downloaded the app, started playing around with it and that gave birth to my first-ever design.
When I shared it with my sister, she was amazed. Her friends loved it too. I was surprised when a schoolmate asked if I could design one for her as well and that was how I made my first ₦500 in design.”
Q2: What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about turning your skill into a source of income?
“Realizing I could make money right from my comfort zone. I never believed it was possible until that moment.
I’m also happy that I can create impacts on brands and communicate ideas with my design while solving real life problems (UI/UX).”
Q3: If you had to teach one thing about your skill to someone starting out today, what would it be and why?
“Volunteering for non-profits and churches also helped me land some gigs. And while I’m still working on improving it, social media visibility has played a role in getting my skills noticed and improved.”
Graphic Portfolio | Product Portfolio
LinkedIn: Ekezie Peace | X: @SimplyPeace13
Olatoye Lois — Makeup Artist
Q1: What skill are you currently using to earn money, and how did you first learn it?
“I’m currently using my makeup skills to earn money.
My journey into makeup artistry began several years ago when I was just a hobbyist. I would watch YouTube tutorials and practice different techniques on myself and friends.
To further develop my skills, I enrolled in a professional makeup course. The course helped me gain confidence and understand the business side of the makeup industry.
After completing the course, I started offering discounted rates to friends and family in exchange for photoshoots and referrals.”
Q2: What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about turning your skill into a source of income?
“The amount of business and marketing knowledge required to succeed.
As an artist, I initially focused solely on developing my makeup skills, but I soon realized that I needed to understand how to run a business, manage clients, and market my services effectively.
Understanding these aspects has been crucial in helping me build a successful and sustainable business.”
Q3: If you had to teach one thing about your skill to someone starting out today, what would it be and why?
“The importance of sanitation and hygiene.
Proper sanitation and hygiene techniques are essential in preventing the spread of infections and ensuring the health and safety of your clients.
By prioritizing this, you can build trust with your clients, maintain a professional reputation, and reduce the risk of accidents.”
TikTok: @lo_is2
Albert Ifunanya Dominic — UI/UX Designer
Q1: What skill are you currently using to earn money, and how did you first learn it?
“My income comes from UI/UX design.
Being entirely self-taught, I took a flexible, self-paced approach. I immersed myself in online resources, from Coursera and LinkedIn Learning courses to YouTube tutorials and books like Refactoring UI and The Design Manual. All of these were instrumental in building my robust design foundation.”
Q2: What has been the most surprising or unexpected thing about turning your skill into a source of income?
“The extent of communication and iterative feedback required to align designs with expectations.
Balancing user needs, client goals, and design constraints taught me that effective UI/UX design isn’t solely about creativity, but fundamentally about active collaboration and adaptability.”
Q3: If you had to teach one thing about your skill to someone starting out today, what would it be and why?
“Don’t ignore design fundamentals like Color, Typography and Contrast.
Always seek feedback from both users and experienced designers and lastly, embrace continuous learning.”
LinkedIn: Ifunanya Albert
Your Skill Might Just Be the Thing That Saves You
Here’s what these stories remind us:
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need a big stage, expensive tools, or permission from anyone to begin.
What you do need is a willingness to start. To be curious. To try.
Because sometimes, the very thing you’re brushing off as “just a hobby” might be the exact thing that changes your life.
So on this World Youth Skills Day, we’re asking you: What skill pays you? Tell us in the comments.
P.S. Your skill is a seed. And in this economy, it might just be your harvest.
