The Rise of Tech Students on Campus

Campus celebrities are no longer the political geng or the faculty socialites. In the words of the wise sage David, “we no dey hear your gbedu again.” The new campus celebrities are the tech bros and tech girlies, and their influence has extended far beyond the school gates into the real world.

Tech has suddenly become the new campus wave. The popular explanation is the advancement of technology, that everyone now relies on tech to function daily. While that’s true, we all know the real reason tech holds so much power on campus is because they seem to be making a lot of money, even as students. And on a Nigerian campus, that changes everything.

What’s Fueling the Rise of Tech Students

ASUU Strikes and the Push for Digital Skills

ASUU has a notorious reputation for going on strike, leaving students stranded for weeks, sometimes months, with nothing academic to do. Over time, students realized they could either waste this period or take charge of their time.

Many chose the latter. Learning digital and technical skills became a productive way to survive strike seasons, and gradually, this mindset spilled into normal academic sessions. The push for digital skills has played a major role in fueling tech culture within the student community.

The Global Remote Job Culture

In previous years, being “just a student” was enough. Now, saying you’re only a student raises eyebrows. Side hustles are now expected. And most of these hustles are remote; writing, design, development, marketing, data, product work. Globally, remote jobs have become the norm, and Nigerian students are tapping into this system early.

Nigerian Youth Redefining Career Paths

Settling? That’s not the Gen Z plan.

Nigerian youths are no longer waiting for conventional jobs or limiting themselves to traditional career paths. Instead, they’re creating new routes, blending school with skill-building, freelancing, startups, and personal brands. Tech provides the flexibility and global access needed to make this possible.

Social Media and the “Tech Money” Narrative

Social media constantly pushes the idea that tech money is good money. Dollar screenshots, laptop aesthetics, “I learned this skill in 3 months” stories, the narrative is everywhere.

This perception has made tech aspirational. Everyone wants a taste of “tech money,” and that desire continues to fuel the rise of tech students across campuses.

How Tech Students Are Changing Campus Culture

The Library Population Shift

Libraries are no longer dominated by handouts and textbooks. Now, they’re filled with laptops, headphones, and charging cables.

Students don’t necessarily go there to read anymore, they go for the serenity, steady electricity, and air conditioning while working on digital tasks. The library has quietly evolved into a shared workspace.

Hostel Tech Clusters

A few years ago, a hostel room packed with gadgets would raise eyebrows. Now, those same rooms function as mini workstations. Hostel rooms have transformed into tech hubs where students collaborate, brainstorm, and work on real projects.

Rise of Campus Tech Events and Communities

Tech clubs, bootcamps, hackathons, and workshops now dominate campus event calendars. These spaces offer networking, mentorship, and practical exposure, often more valuable than formal lectures.

Is This Shift Good for Students?

Like most major campus shifts, this one has its benefits , and its consequences.

The Pros

• Better employability: Students graduate with practical skills, portfolios, and work experience.

• Early income: Financial independence comes earlier for many.

• Creative confidence: Tech encourages innovation and problem-solving beyond the classroom.

The Cons

• Burnout culture: Hustle is glorified, rest is postponed, and exhaustion becomes normal.

• Academic decline for some: Balancing tech and school isn’t easy, and grades can suffer.

• Comparison pressure: Constant exposure to others’ success creates anxiety and self-doubt.

  
  

Tech is not just a passing phase, it’s reshaping the entire campus ecosystem. From how students dress and socialize to how they study, earn, and define success, tech has become deeply embedded in student life.

For students, the challenge is no longer whether to embrace tech, but how to do so without losing balance.