Let’s be honest—teenagers today are growing up in a world that’s completely different from the one many of us knew. With just a smartphone or laptop and an internet connection, many teens are already building audiences, learning new skills, and even making real money. And while school is still a major part of their lives, many are itching to do more—especially something they actually enjoy.


Back in the day, when you asked a child what they wanted to be, you’d usually hear: doctor, lawyer, engineer. But now? It’s not unusual to hear “I want to be a content creator like Oche Writes” or “I want to design video games like Simar.”


With the internet age, creative jobs are more accessible than ever. Whether it’s editing videos, running a small social media page, writing blogs, or designing graphics, teens now have real opportunities to turn their interests into income.


So if you’re a parent wondering how to support your teen, or a teen looking for fun, practical ways to earn and grow, this list is for you. Let's get started.



1. Social Media Manager for Small Businesses


Let’s say a family friend runs a small fashion brand or someone in your family sells baked goods. They probably have an Instagram or WhatsApp Business account but don’t really know what to post or how to make it look good. That’s where your teen can come in.


Many small businesses in Nigeria are looking for someone to help them post consistently, respond to messages, and make their pages look more engaging. If your teen already knows how to make short videos, use Canva to design posts; they can easily offer to help. Most of the work can be done from a phone, which means it’s something they can handle alongside school.


It’s also a great way for teens to learn how businesses work. They’ll also learn soft skills like patience, clear communication, and responsibility—especially when they’re managing real business accounts.


How much can they earn?


On average, monthly retainers can vary from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 or more, depending on experience and client requirements. Some may start with lower pay (especially if it's a family friend), but as they get better, they can work with multiple clients and increase their rates.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Canva for design
  • InShot or CapCut for videos
  • WhatsApp Business for communication
  • A basic content calendar (even one created in a Google Sheet or notion)


Encourage your teen to start by helping someone for free or a small fee, build a few sample posts, and slowly grow from there. One good job can lead to referrals, and that’s how the journey begins.


2. Video Editor  


You know all those cool reels, skits, and YouTube vlogs your teen watches? Someone edited them. And believe it or not, video editing is a skill many teens can learn—and get paid for.


Teens who already love playing around with transitions, adding text to videos, or trimming funny clips can turn that interest into real income. With the rise of content creators, churches, small businesses, and even students needing help with video editing for school projects or presentations, there’s plenty of opportunity.


How much can they earn?


A beginner video editor in Nigeria can expect to earn between ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 per month, depending on the type of projects they work on and their level of skill.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • CapCut (free and beginner-friendly)
  • Filmora
  • KineMaster
  • InShot (great for social media edits)
  • Adobe Premiere Pro (for experts)
  • YouTube (tons of free tutorials)


If your teen enjoys storytelling and has a good eye for pacing, music, and effects, video editing might be their thing.


3. Voice-over Artist


Does your teen love reading aloud, doing impressions, or mimicking cartoon characters? They could make money as a voice-over artist.


Voice-over work involves reading scripts for ads, animations, audiobook clips, explainer videos, or social media content. Many businesses in Nigeria are looking for young, clear, and relatable voices—especially for online content, YouTube intros, or children’s learning materials.


This job is perfect for teens who are expressive, can read clearly, and are comfortable experimenting with their voice. All they really need to start is a quiet room, a phone with a decent mic, and some practice.


How much can they earn?

For short scripts or ads, voice-over gigs can pay between ₦10,000 to ₦50,000 depending on the client and project. As they gain experience, they can even work with larger brands or digital creators who want high-quality audio.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Phone Recorder (for Android)
  • Voice Memos (iPhone)
  • Audacity or BandLab (for editing audio)
  • Small mic


Encourage your teen to practice reading things out loud—storybooks, radio jingles, or adverts—and record themselves. It’s a great way to build confidence and get used to how they sound.


4. Graphic Designer  


Small businesses, churches, schools, and even local event planners are constantly in need of flyers, banners, and social media graphics. Most of the work can be done using free toIf your teen has an eye for design and enjoys playing with colours, fonts, and shapes—or is always making flyers for school events—graphic design might be more than just a hobby. It can become a source of income.


Tools like Canva or mobile apps like Pixel lab. And with the rise of online marketing, the demand for eye-catching designs is only increasing.


How much can they earn?

For simple designs like a social media flyer or church program cover, teens can charge ₦3,000 to ₦10,000 per design. Entry-level graphic designers in Nigeria can earn between NGN 100,000 and NGN 200,000 per month depending on the company and experience.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Canva (Free or Pro)
  • Pixel lab (for mobile designs)
  • Photoshop
  • CorelDraw 


Encourage your teen to start with personal projects—redesign a friend’s birthday invite or a church announcement—then share their work and offer their services. 


5. Freelance Writer  

If your teen enjoys writing stories or journaling-writing could be a way to make money.


Freelance writing is all about creating content for others. This could mean blog posts, social media captions, articles, short stories, product descriptions, or even helping a small business write about their services. 


How much can they earn?

Freelance writers charges vary depending on the project they're working on, while some people charge per words.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Google Docs (to write and share their work)
  • Grammarly (for checking spelling and grammar)
  • Medium or a blog (to start showcasing their writing)


Encourage them to pick a topic they enjoy—sports, music, fashion, or tech—and practice writing short articles. They can even reach out to local or popular blogs to offer their skills.


6. Animator/Illustrator  

Does your teen love drawing cartoons or comics? With a little tech added to their talent, they can become an animator or illustrator—and make money doing what they love.


Animation and illustration jobs include drawing characters for storybooks, making explainer videos for businesses, creating cartoon content for social media, or designing stickers and GIFs. 


Even if they prefer drawing on paper, there are ways to scan their art and bring it to life digitally.


How much can they earn?

Animators/Illustrators make between ₦100,000 to ₦150,000 per month. It depends on their experience, length, and what the client wants.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Ibis Paint X or Autodesk Sketchbook (for digital drawing)
  • FlipaClip (for beginner animation)
  • Canva (for simple graphic projects)
  • Adobe Illustrator


Animation takes time to learn, but it’s a great creative outlet. If your child is already sketching characters or comics in the corner of their notebooks, this might be a sign to encourage them to explore further.


7. Photographer  

Some teens just have an eye for capturing moments. Whether it’s people, pets, food, or sunsets, photography is one of those creative skills that can turn into a paying job pretty quickly.


Teen photographers can start by offering to take pictures at birthdays, school events, or even mini photo shoots for friends. With a phone camera and some editing skills, they can produce quality photos good enough for personal use or social media.


How much can they earn?

Depending on the event or client, photographers can earn ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 per gig, or more for ongoing projects or weekend shoots.


Helpful Tools to Get Started:

  • Smartphone with a good camera
  • Snapseed or Lightroom (for editing)
  • Google Drive or Dropbox (for sharing photos)


How Teens Can Break Into the Creative World  

Here’s a simple step-by-step to help teens break into the creative space and actually start earning from it.


1. Start with Curiosity

Ask your teen: "What do I enjoy doing for fun? What comes naturally to you?" This is your starting point. They don’t have to figure everything out right away—just pay attention to what they're drawn to and build from there.


2. Take Free (or Discounted) Online Courses  

There are tons of online platforms where you can learn creative skills at your own pace. Here are some good places to start:

  • YouTube – There’s a tutorial for almost everything. Just search “how to edit videos using CapCut” or “how to design with Canva,” and you’re good to go.


  • Coursera / Khan Academy / Udemy – Great for beginner courses in graphic design, writing, coding, or video editing.


  • Skillshare – Also good for creative-focused topics. (Look for free trial periods.)


3. Follow Creatives You Admire

Follow people who are already doing the work you want to do. You can find them on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, or X. Pay attention to how they talk about their work, the tools they use, and how they interact with others. You’ll learn a lot just by watching.


4. Practice and Build a Portfolio

Start small. You don’t need paid gigs to build your portfolio. Here are some ways to practice:

  • Create your own designs or mock projects.
  • Write blog posts or short stories and publish them on Medium or your own blog.
  • Record and edit videos using your phone.
  • Offer to help a friend, school group, or local business with small creative tasks.


Save your best work in a Google Drive folder or set up a portfolio on Canva. That way, when someone asks to see what you can do—you have proof.


5. Start Freelancing  

Once you have a few pieces in your portfolio, you can start offering your services:

  • Tell people in your network: family, friends, schoolmates.
  • Create a simple flier or Instagram post that says what you do.
  • Use platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or even WhatsApp groups where people look for creatives.


6. Set Up a LinkedIn Profile  

Even as a teen, you can have a LinkedIn profile. Just keep it simple:

  • Add a clear photo of yourself.
  • Write a short bio like: “Teen graphic designer passionate about creating simple, eye-catching designs for small business owners.”
  • Upload some of your work and follow professionals in your field. It helps you connect with others, learn industry tips, and maybe even land an opportunity later on.


7. Apply for Internships

  • Internships at media companies, creative agencies, or even schools.
  • Volunteer opportunities to design posters, edit videos, or write newsletters.
  • Local businesses that need help with their social media or branding.


Even if it’s unpaid, the experience and exposure can open doors you didn’t expect.


8. Keep Growing

Creative industries are always changing. Don’t stop learning. Watch new tutorials. Try new tools. Ask questions. Reach out to mentors online. You don’t have to know everything now. You just have to be willing to grow.