Are you looking to kickstart your business career but need help deciding what you can easily and affordably do? I've compiled a list of 20 small business ideas you can start easily in Nigeria today. 

There are many opportunities, as the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics shows that small businesses make up 96% of businesses and 84% of the country’s employment rate.

You can start your small business in Nigeria today with little or no capital. Let's explore these business ideas!

1. POS Business

The point-of-sale terminal business has boomed over the past few years thanks to the increasing demand for agency banking by financial institutions. Running a POS business allows you to gain commissions on transactions you perform for your customers. 

You can quickly start a POS business by visiting a financial institution like Moniepoint MFB. Ensure you provide all required documentation, such as your business account details. Begin this profitable small business today without needing a large shop space and with as little capital as N30,000. 

2. Cleaning Services

Most people working in busy cities in Nigeria rarely have time to clean their homes or offices thoroughly. You can explore this significant opportunity by offering your services as a house or office cleaner with little capital to purchase your basic equipment. 

The cleaning service business has a high growth potential, and you can employ more hands as your offers increase with time. 

(Source)

3. Photography Business

Photography is a small business that allows you to turn your creativity and passion into income. By learning and fine-tuning your photography skills and investing in a good-quality camera, you can cover weddings, birthdays, or business events. 

You can also boost your business by selling images online on iStock, Unsplash, or Dreamstime. Today's world is highly digital, and the demand for photography skills is increasing, making it a profitable and fun small business you can start in Nigeria. 

4. Fashion Thrift Business

The famous 'okirika' or thrift fashion market continues to boom as time passes. Fashion trends keep evolving daily, and most people love to look their best on a budget. You can explore this opportunity by investing in high-grade thrift clothes and footwear. You can also create awareness for your clothing goods by opening a social media page or website to advertise them. 

Amazingly, you can do this from the comfort of your home without bothering about shop rent and utility bills. 

5. Event Planning

As someone who loves to organise, decorate, and coordinate celebrations, this small business idea is just for you. Organisations and families celebrate events daily, and you can explore this opportunity for profit. 

You can build your portfolio by planning small-scale events for family and friends. If you're consistent enough, you can get referrals that can help you upscale to planning larger events. You can also upskill yourself by staying updated on the latest planning tools and ideas. 

6. Open a Palm Oil Storage Business

Nigeria is blessed with agricultural resources, and the palm oil trade is one of the numerous profitable businesses you can venture into. 

Here's how - you can buy palm oil cheaply when the palm kernel dries from February to April. Store it until July, its peak season, and its demand is expected to increase. You can then begin selling your stored palm oil in this high-demand period and enjoy a significant profit of about 50% to 60%. 

You can grow and have distribution channels nationwide by maximising this profitable small business and setting up a reliable business account in your name.

(Source)

7. Catering Services

If you love to create magic with your cooking skills, you can earn very well through it. Opening a catering service business is a profitable idea you can start from your kitchen with little capital. 

All you have to do is buy the essential ingredients and cooking equipment, hire reliable dispatch riders and start cooking for family and friends. You can upgrade to cooking for bigger events and celebrations by getting good referrals. 

8. Copywriting Service Business

As a creative and passionate writer, you can earn a high income by creating a copywriting business. Over the past few years, businesses have realised the importance of hiring copywriters to prepare compelling advertisement content, email campaigns, etc. 

You'll need good writing skills, creativity, fundamental copywriting knowledge, and the ability to know your clients' needs. 

You can begin as a one-person team for startups and smaller brands and expand your service to larger organisations or freelance platforms like Upwork. 

9. Sports Viewing Centre Business

The game of football brings almost all Nigerians together. If you live in an environment, for instance, a university, where people don't have access to watch live football matches, you can open up a viewing centre. 

You can set it up with a comfortable venue, well-equipped gadgets, suitable seating arrangements, and a reliable cable connection. Through consistency, you can grow this business with loyal clients revisiting with friends. 

10. Confectionery and Baking Business

Cakes and pastries like puff-puff, small chops, doughnuts, etc., are typical treats served in almost every Nigerian celebration. You can start this business from home with your unique recipes and essential baking equipment, such as a small oven, baking pans, mixers, etc. 

Grow your business through your social media pages or word-of-mouth referrals and enjoy maximum turnovers.

(Source)

11. Laundry Business

A laundry business is another small business idea you can easily start in Nigeria today. You can begin in your neighbourhood by doing door-to-door marketing and taking laundry orders from family and friends. 

All you need are basic washing supplies like your detergent, soaps, and clean water supply, and you can buy a small washing machine with a bit of investment.

12. Zobo or Hibiscus Drink Business

Most people are taking the healthy path regarding their eating, thanks to the heavy risk awareness of over-processed foods and drinks. Zobo offers several health benefits, such as aiding weight loss, preventing kidney stones, regulating blood pressure, etc. 

You can start a Zobo manufacturing and distribution business with basic ingredients like leaves and other natural spices. You can earn good profit from this ever-green market with the right market penetration.

(Source)

13. Blogging and Content Creation

The blogging business is another lucrative business you can venture into as a passionate and skilful writer. Blogging lets you carve out a niche for yourself and write about anything your audience wants to read about. 

By creating high-quality and valuable content for your audience, your blogging site gets increased website traffic. You can monetise your blog through affiliate marketing and placing ads on it through Google Adsense from the comfort of your computer screen.

14. Perfume Oil Business

The Perfume Oil business is a lucrative venture you can explore as a small business owner. You can begin with as little as N5000 by buying perfumes in small quantities from reliable wholesalers at a subsidised price and reselling them to customers. 

Before you start, research your market to find out what type of customers you would approach, their budget, and what type of perfumes they would be interested in. 

15. Become a Professional Driver

Register with companies like Bolt, Uber, inDrive, and Lyft and become a professional driver. For instance, as a top Bolt driver in busy cities like Lagos or Abuja, you can earn as much as 311,000 monthly. 

You don't have to own a personal car to do this business; you can access one based on a hire-purchase agreement with a trusted party. All you require to start this business is a valid driver's license and other required documentation from your desired company. 

16. Scrap Metal Sales Business

You can contribute to an eco-friendly environment and profit by doing so. By gathering scrap metals in your environment, you can sell them to recycling companies using them for further production. 

To begin this business, you'll need tools like magnets, wheelbarrows, a small truck, etc. You can create an advantage by cordial relationships with recycling companies and collectors.

17. Road Transportation Business

You can start a road transport business within or outside your state, depending on your capital size. You can register with your community's road transport union and begin your private charter trips or public pickups. 

As with company-driving businesses, you don't need your car; you can use auto rickshaws (or Keke). You can get a hire-purchase agreement with a trusted investor.

18. Social Media Marketing

You can earn money through your smartphone as a social media marketer by advertising for brands. With increased social media engagement, most businesses leverage social media advertisements to boost their sales. 

You have to set up a social media page on any platform you choose, such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. Ensure you create engaging content for your target audience, and if your page has gained enough relevance, companies can reach out to you with marketing deals.

(Source)

19. Ice Block Manufacturing

In some parts of Nigeria, the power supply is often unsteady, and ice blocks are needed to run perishable commodity businesses, drink supplies, etc. 

To begin this business, you need a suitable site, adequate power-generating equipment, and reliable delivery agents. You can profitably earn in the long run by supplying ice blocks at competitive rates.

(Source)

Conclusion

Every business idea deserves the opportunity to operate. From catering services and copywriting to fashion designing, there are countless small business ideas you can easily start in Nigeria today. 

Like all successful businesses, having a reliable and speedy banking service like Moniepoint Business Banking Solution for your transactions and necessary business equipment makes the difference.