At 19, your biggest asset is not ₦2.5 million. It is time, energy, and the ability to combine education with a business. From what you've described, I would not advise you to choose between university and business. I would advise you to combine them if possible. Here is how I see the options: OptionRead more
At 19, your biggest asset is not ₦2.5 million. It is time, energy, and the ability to combine education with a business.
From what you’ve described, I would not advise you to choose between university and business. I would advise you to combine them if possible.
Here is how I see the options:
Option 1: Full-Time University Only
Advantages
Focus on your studies.
Graduate earlier.
Easier student life.
Risks
Your parents may struggle to pay tuition in later years.
You may graduate with little business experience or income.
You may join many graduates searching for jobs.
Option 2: Part-Time University + Solar Charging Business
Advantages
Generates income while studying.
Reduces dependence on your parents.
Builds entrepreneurship skills early.
You already have some experience managing a charging business.
Risks
Business could fail or earn less than expected.
Managing business and studies together can be stressful.
Part-time programs usually take longer to complete.
What I Would Do in Your Position
If your brother has already proven that the charging and power-bank rental business works, I would lean toward:
Start the business on a smaller scale first.
Do not invest the entire ₦2.5 million immediately.
Test the demand around the school environment.
Keep enough money aside for tuition and emergencies.
Continue your education while building the business.
A mistake many young people make is putting all available capital into one business without first proving the numbers.
Questions You Must Answer Before Investing ₦2.5 Million
Ask your brother:
How much revenue does his own charging station make daily?
What are the monthly expenses?
How long did it take him to recover his investment?
How many customers charge phones daily?
How many power banks are rented daily?
What happens during rainy seasons or low-demand periods?
Are there competitors near the campus?
If these questions cannot be answered with real figures, then investing ₦2.5 million immediately is risky.
My Recommendation
Your goal should be:
Education + Income + Skill.
Not:
Education only.
Business only.
Since you come from a modest background and are concerned about future employment, building a legitimate business while obtaining a degree can put you ahead of many graduates.
If the solar charging business is already proven and your brother can mentor you, I would seriously consider the part-time route provided the business plan is solid and you don’t commit the entire ₦2.5 million blindly.
One more thing: whether you choose Ekiti State University (EKSU) or Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), learn a practical skill alongside your studies—solar installation, electrical work, digital marketing, sales, programming, or another marketable skill. A degree plus a skill plus a business is a much stronger position than a degree alone.
Should I Go to University or Start a Business in Nigeria as a Young Person?
At 19, your biggest asset is not ₦2.5 million. It is time, energy, and the ability to combine education with a business. From what you've described, I would not advise you to choose between university and business. I would advise you to combine them if possible. Here is how I see the options: OptionRead more
At 19, your biggest asset is not ₦2.5 million. It is time, energy, and the ability to combine education with a business.
See lessFrom what you’ve described, I would not advise you to choose between university and business. I would advise you to combine them if possible.
Here is how I see the options:
Option 1: Full-Time University Only
Advantages
Focus on your studies.
Graduate earlier.
Easier student life.
Risks
Your parents may struggle to pay tuition in later years.
You may graduate with little business experience or income.
You may join many graduates searching for jobs.
Option 2: Part-Time University + Solar Charging Business
Advantages
Generates income while studying.
Reduces dependence on your parents.
Builds entrepreneurship skills early.
You already have some experience managing a charging business.
Risks
Business could fail or earn less than expected.
Managing business and studies together can be stressful.
Part-time programs usually take longer to complete.
What I Would Do in Your Position
If your brother has already proven that the charging and power-bank rental business works, I would lean toward:
Start the business on a smaller scale first.
Do not invest the entire ₦2.5 million immediately.
Test the demand around the school environment.
Keep enough money aside for tuition and emergencies.
Continue your education while building the business.
A mistake many young people make is putting all available capital into one business without first proving the numbers.
Questions You Must Answer Before Investing ₦2.5 Million
Ask your brother:
How much revenue does his own charging station make daily?
What are the monthly expenses?
How long did it take him to recover his investment?
How many customers charge phones daily?
How many power banks are rented daily?
What happens during rainy seasons or low-demand periods?
Are there competitors near the campus?
If these questions cannot be answered with real figures, then investing ₦2.5 million immediately is risky.
My Recommendation
Your goal should be:
Education + Income + Skill.
Not:
Education only.
Business only.
Since you come from a modest background and are concerned about future employment, building a legitimate business while obtaining a degree can put you ahead of many graduates.
If the solar charging business is already proven and your brother can mentor you, I would seriously consider the part-time route provided the business plan is solid and you don’t commit the entire ₦2.5 million blindly.
One more thing: whether you choose Ekiti State University (EKSU) or Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), learn a practical skill alongside your studies—solar installation, electrical work, digital marketing, sales, programming, or another marketable skill. A degree plus a skill plus a business is a much stronger position than a degree alone.