By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

What happens when a month's salary can no longer last a month?

It is a question that millions of Nigerians are silently asking themselves every day.

For many workers, payday no longer brings excitement or relief. Instead, it triggers calculations, anxiety and difficult decisions. Which bill should be paid first? How much should go to transportation? Can the family afford three meals a day? Will there be enough money left for rent, school fees or an unexpected medical emergency?

Across the country, from bustling cities to rural communities, the economic reality facing ordinary Nigerians has become increasingly harsh. The rising cost of living has transformed what was once a modest but manageable existence into a daily struggle for survival.

There was a time when getting a job, especially a government job, was considered a ticket to stability. Parents encouraged their children to pursue education, secure employment and build a comfortable life. A monthly salary was expected to cover basic needs, provide some level of comfort and even leave room for savings.

Today, that reality seems increasingly distant.

As I look around, I see a country where many hardworking Nigerians are doing everything possible to survive, yet life keeps getting harder. Every morning, millions wake up with determination and hope, but by the end of the day, many are left wondering how long they can continue like this.

The cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years. Food prices have climbed beyond the reach of many households. Transportation fares continue to increase. Rent has become a major burden, especially in urban centres. Electricity bills are rising despite inconsistent power supply, while healthcare and education have become more expensive than ever.

The painful part is that salaries have not kept pace with these realities.

For the average worker, whether in the public or private sector, the monthly salary that once sustained a family now disappears almost as soon as it arrives. Many workers spend a significant portion of their earnings on transportation alone. By the time they buy food, pay utility bills and attend to family responsibilities, there is little or nothing left.

This has given rise to a question that many Nigerians are now asking: Can salary alone still sustain an average citizen?

The answer, for many people, appears to be no.

Across the country, side hustles have become more than just additional sources of income; they have become lifelines. It is no longer unusual to find a teacher selling clothes online, a civil servant operating a POS business, a nurse running a small shop, or a banker engaged in farming or freelance work after office hours.

In fact, many workers now depend more on their side businesses than on their actual jobs.

A quick survey among friends, colleagues and neighbours reveals a common pattern. Most people believe that without an additional source of income, survival would be nearly impossible. Some openly admit that their salaries only cover transportation and a few household expenses, while their side businesses provide the money needed to feed their families.

This trend raises another difficult question: Is side hustle now better than government work?

The answer is not straightforward.

Advertisement

Government jobs still offer something many Nigerians value—security. Salaries may be modest, but they are generally more predictable. There is also the promise of pensions and other benefits. However, job security means little when income can no longer adequately meet basic needs.

On the other hand, side hustles offer opportunities for higher earnings, but they come with risks and uncertainty. Businesses can fail. Markets can fluctuate. Customers may disappear. Yet despite these risks, many Nigerians are finding that entrepreneurship offers better financial prospects than relying solely on a monthly paycheck.

As a result, countless workers now live double lives. During the day, they perform their official duties. In the evenings and on weekends, they become traders, farmers, consultants, content creators, transport operators or business owners. Rest has become a luxury because survival demands constant effort.

What worries me most is not just the financial struggle but the uncertainty that comes with it.

Many Nigerians no longer make long-term plans with confidence. Young graduates question whether employment can guarantee a decent future. Parents worry about how they will pay school fees next term. Families postpone important decisions because they are unsure what tomorrow will bring.

There is a growing sense of anxiety about the future.

Despite working harder than ever, many people feel as though they are moving backwards. The gap between effort and reward seems to widen with each passing year. Inflation continues to erode purchasing power, and every increase in income is quickly swallowed by rising prices.

Yet Nigerians continue to endure.

The resilience of ordinary citizens remains remarkable. People continue to wake up before dawn, travel long distances to work, run businesses after office hours and make sacrifices for their families. They continue to hope, even when circumstances provide little reason for optimism.

But resilience should not become an excuse for hardship.

No society can thrive when its citizens spend most of their energy worrying about basic survival. Hard work should lead to progress, not perpetual struggle. Employment should provide dignity, not constant financial anxiety.

Today, many Nigerians find themselves trapped between salary and side hustle, between stability and survival, between hope and uncertainty. The monthly paycheck that once symbolised security is no longer enough for many households, while side hustles have become essential tools for staying afloat.

As the economic challenges persist, one cannot help but wonder what the future holds. Will salaries eventually regain their value? Will the cost of living become manageable again? Will young Nigerians be able to build stable lives through honest work?

These are questions that linger in the minds of millions across the country.

For now, the average Nigerian continues to hustle, adapt and persevere. But beneath that resilience lies a simple desire shared by many: the hope that one day, working hard will once again be enough.