Many people in Nigeria want to start a business, but they don’t have much money. The good news is that you can still start a small business even if you have little money. You don’t need to be rich or wait for a big loan. In this blog post, I will share 30 simple business ideas that you can start in Nigeria with low capital.
These ideas are easy to understand. They also work in small towns, cities, and even villages. You just need to pick one that you like, learn about it, and start small. If you work hard, your small business can grow big.
30 Business Ideas in Nigeria with Low Capital
1. Selling Used Clothes (Okrika)
This is one of the cheapest businesses to start. You can go to a big market like Yaba or Aba and buy fairly used clothes in bulk. They call it “Okrika bale.” You don’t need to buy the full bale at first. Start small by picking a few good ones. Wash and iron them neatly. You can sell them to students, workers, or people in your area. Many Nigerians like Okrika because it’s cheap and the quality is still good.
2. Recharge Card and Data Reselling
People buy airtime and data every day. You can become a small reseller. Just register with a recharge card vendor or online platform. You don’t need a shop. You can do everything with your phone. Tell your neighbours and friends that you now sell airtime and data. Even with just ₦5,000, you can begin and make profit little by little.
3. Fruit Selling Business
Fruits like banana, orange, pineapple, and watermelon are always in demand. You can buy them from local farmers or big markets early in the morning. Cut and package them in small clean nylons or bowls. Sell at parks, roadsides, offices, or schools. You don’t need a shop. You can use a wheelbarrow or tray. People love fresh fruits, especially on sunny days.
4. Hair Plaiting at Home
If you know how to braid or make simple hairstyles, you can turn it into money. Start by making hair for your friends, siblings, or neighbours. You only need combs, creams, and attachment. You don’t need a salon at first. As your customers grow, you can get more tools or even open a small salon later.
5. Home Cleaning Services
Many people are busy with work and don’t have time to clean their homes. You can help them clean their house and get paid. All you need are things like broom, mop, soap, and bucket. Start with people in your street. Tell them you can clean kitchens, toilets, and rooms. This business is very good in big cities where people are always working.
6. Small Chops and Snacks Business
You can start frying puff-puff, buns, spring rolls, or samosas in the evening and sell to people going home from work. You only need flour, oil, sugar, and maybe a stove or frying pan. Pack the snacks in small nylons or boxes. Sell outside schools, offices, or at the roadside. Nigerians love snacks, especially when they are hot and fresh.
7. Selling Eggs and Bread
Bread and egg is a common food in Nigeria. You can buy loaves of bread from bakers and sell with eggs. You can fry the eggs or sell them raw too. Just get a small table and umbrella. You don’t need to rent a shop. This business is best in places where people rush out in the morning.
8. Laundry and Ironing Business
People want clean and well-ironed clothes, but not everyone has the time or energy. If you are good at washing and ironing, offer your service. You just need soap, water, bucket, and an electric or charcoal iron. You can start from home and pick clothes from your customers.
9. Snail Farming
Snail farming is easy and cheap. Snails don’t eat much and they grow well in wet, dark places. You can build a small pen at the back of your house. Feed them with leaves, fruits, and peels. After some months, you sell them to market women or restaurants. You can start with just 10 snails and grow from there.
10. Palm Oil Business
Palm oil is used in almost every Nigerian kitchen. You can buy palm oil in small gallons during harvest time when it’s cheaper. Store it in a cool, dry place. After some months, the price will go up and you can sell for more money. You can also start by selling small litres to people in your street.
11. Popcorn Making Business
Popcorn is a sweet snack that many children and adults enjoy. With a small machine or pot, you can start making popcorn. You need corn, sugar, butter, and oil. Package it in nylons or cups and sell in front of schools or at events.
12. Cooking and Food Delivery
If you enjoy cooking, you can turn it into business. Cook rice, beans, swallow, or jollof rice and sell in clean plates. You can take the food to offices, markets, or schools. Start with your neighbours and expand. Make sure your food tastes nice and is neat.
13. Selling Used Shoes
Fairly used shoes are cheaper than new ones and still look fine. Many Nigerians like them. You can go to Lagos, Aba, or Kano to buy in bulk. Clean them and sell on WhatsApp, Facebook, or in your area. You can start with ₦10,000 or less.
14. Plantain Chips Business
Buy ripe or unripe plantains, slice them, fry in clean oil, and package them in nylons. Sell to shops, schools, and people on the road. People love crunchy chips. You don’t need much to start. Just plantains, oil, and fire.
15. Selling Cold Drinks and Water
Get a cooler, buy sachet water and soft drinks, and add ice blocks to keep them cold. Stand in a busy area and sell. This works very well in hot weather or at events. You can start with just ₦5,000.
16. Perfume Oil Business
Perfume oils are long-lasting and smell very good. They are also cheaper than popular perfumes. You can buy them in small bottles from wholesalers and sell to people in your area or online. You only need a little capital to buy your first set. Package them well and let people smell them. Many will buy if the scent is nice and strong.
17. Phone Accessories Business
Many people use phones, so they need phone chargers, earphones, screen guards, and cases. You can buy these accessories in bulk from places like Computer Village and sell in your area. You can sell them on the roadside, in a small table setup, or on WhatsApp. This business moves fast, especially near schools and offices.
18. Bead Making
If you enjoy using your hands to create things, you can learn how to make beads for necklaces, bangles, and even slippers. Beads are beautiful and many people wear them at weddings and events. Start with a few materials, watch free YouTube videos, and practice. You can sell online or in your neighborhood.
19. Selling Natural Skincare Products
Many people now use natural creams and soaps. If you can learn how to make black soap, body butter, or oil blends, you can sell them. You don’t need big machines. Just get simple ingredients and containers. People want good skin and are always buying skincare products.
20. Selling Mobile Phone Airtime Cards in Bulk
This is like the airtime reselling mentioned earlier, but this one involves buying recharge cards in bulk and selling to other sellers. You can be the middle person. Start small with trusted dealers. As you grow, you can start printing your own recharge cards.
21. Zobo Drink Business
Zobo is a tasty drink made from hibiscus leaves. You can prepare it with ginger, pineapple, and sugar. Make sure it’s clean and well packaged. Put in plastic bottles and sell in schools, markets, and offices. This drink is popular and healthy too. Start with just a few bottles and grow.
22. Home Tutoring
If you are good at any subject like English or Maths, you can teach younger students at home. Parents will pay you to help their children improve in school. You don’t need an office. Just go to their house or invite them to yours. This is a good business for students too.
23. Making Liquid Soap
You can learn how to make liquid soap for washing plates and clothes. It is easy and cheap to make. After learning, package it in small bottles and sell to people in your street. You can also supply shops and schools. This is a daily-use product, so people will keep buying.
24. Selling Cooked Corn and Pear
During corn season, you can boil corn and sell with pear. Nigerians love eating this combination, especially in the evening. You only need a big pot, water, corn, and a local stove. This business does well by the roadside or in busy areas.
25. Selling Akara and Pap
Akara and pap is a common breakfast in Nigeria. You can start making akara early in the morning and serve with pap or bread. People going to work or school love it. You can make it in front of your house and customers will come. You don’t need too much money to begin.
26. Selling Yoghurt or Ice Cream in Cups
Buy cheap yoghurt powder or liquid, mix it, chill it, and sell in small cups. You can even add flavour. This business works well during hot weather. Children especially love it. You can start with a small cooler and few cups.
27. Online Freelance Writing
If you are good at writing simple English, you can write articles or blog posts for people online. Many websites pay writers. All you need is your phone or laptop and internet. Look for jobs on freelancing websites like Upwork or Fiverr.
28. Graphic Design
You can learn how to design posters, flyers, and logos with your phone or laptop. Many businesses need designs. Start by offering cheap prices, build your skill, and get better. Watch free YouTube tutorials. With time, you can start earning big.
29. Selling Children’s Toys
Toys are always in demand because children love to play. You can start with small toys like dolls, balls, or cars. Sell in schools, markets, or to parents in your area. Start with a small stock and keep growing.
30. Selling Baby Items
Baby things like powder, lotion, diapers, and clothes move fast. Mothers always need these. You can buy in small quantity and sell to new parents. Even without a shop, you can do it from home or online.
Conclusion
As you can see, you don’t need big money to start a business in Nigeria. What you need most is your idea, your time, and the courage to start. Pick one business idea from this list that you like. Learn more about it. Start small and grow slowly.
Many big businesses today started small. So don’t be afraid. Take that first step. You can be your own boss. You can make money and also help others around you.
