60 Self-employed Business Ideas You Can Start In Nigeria

1. Start a blog:

If you’re passionate about a particular topic, you can start a blog and share your ideas with the world. It’s easy to set up a blog, and it doesn’t require any upfront investment.

Linda Ikeji started her business with a simple blog that grew into what it is today.

2. Create an online course:

Do you have expertise in a particular subject? You can create an online course and share your knowledge with others. Examples of courses you can create online for Nigerians are content marketing, brand management, digital marketing, etc. You can use websites like Teachme.ng for your business.

3. Be a freelance writer:

If you enjoy writing, you can be a freelance writer and write articles for websites or blogs. You can register on Upwork or Truelancer to get writing jobs.

4. Sell products online:

You can sell physical or digital products online using platforms like Amazon or Jumia.

5. Create a YouTube channel:

If you’re creative and enjoy making videos, you can create a YouTube channel and share your content with the world.

YouTube pays based on traffic.

6. Be a social media consultant:

Do you have experience with social media? You can offer your services to businesses and help them grow their online presence.

7. Start an e-commerce store:

If you’re interested in starting your own online store, there are plenty of e-commerce platforms to choose from, like Shopify and WooCommerce.

8. Offer web management services:

If you’re tech-savvy, you can offer web management services to businesses and help them with their website maintenance.

9. Be a virtual assistant:

If you’re organized and enjoy helping others, you can be a virtual assistant and provide various services to clients, like scheduling appointments or managing social media accounts.

13. Provide consulting services:

If you have experience in a particular field, you can offer your services as a consultant in that field. Some profitable consulting fields in Nigeria are; real estate, finance, health, marriage, etc.

14. Offer coaching services:

If you’re passionate about helping others, you can offer coaching services and help people reach their goals. You could coach in these areas depending on your interest and training; business, writing, fitness, speaking, etc.

15. Be a resume writer:

If you have experience writing resumes, you can offer your services to individuals who are looking for help with their job search.

16. Offer transcription services:

If you’re good at transcribing audio, you can offer your services to businesses and transcribe meetings or interviews. Tools like Google docs and Microsoft word are needed for your business. These tools are free and easy to use. 

17. Provide proofreading services:

If you have a keen eye for detail, you can offer your services as a proofreader and help businesses or individuals with their writing.

18. Offer copywriting services:

If you’re good at writing persuasive content, you can offer your services as a copywriter and help businesses with their marketing.

19. Sell handmade products:

If you’re crafty, you can sell your handmade products online or at local markets. Some handmade products that are often used in Nigerian homes are woven baskets for home decor, knitted cardigans and caps for babies. 

20. Vlogging:

If you’re comfortable in front of the camera, you can start a YouTube channel and share your life with the world. YouTube is a great platform for vloggers, and you can make money from advertising.

21. Brand influencing:

If you have a large social media following, you can offer your services as a brand influencer and help businesses promote their products or services. Instagram and Facebook are great platforms for brand influencers.

You can learn from popular influencers like KieKie and Taoma on Instagram.

22. Online tutoring:

If you’re knowledgeable in a particular subject, you can offer your services as an online tutor and help students learn. Some of the apps you can use are Zoom and Skype.

23. Sell your recipes:

If you’re a good cook, you can sell your recipes online or in cookbooks. You can use websites like the Amazon Kindle to sell your recipes. You can focus on Nigerian health foods like food content creator Winifred Nwania popularly known as Zeelicious foods.

24. Offer webinars:

Webinars are becoming increasingly popular and they’re a great way to share your knowledge with others. You can use platforms like Zoom or GoToWebinar to host your webinars.

25. Sell e-books:

If you’re a good writer, you can write an ebook and sell it online. This is a great way to share your knowledge and make money at the same time.

26. Interior designing:

If you’re creative and have an eye for detail, you can offer your services as an interior designer. You can help businesses or individuals with the design of their space.

27. Sell graphic designs online:

If you’re a talented graphic designer, you can sell your designs online. You can use platforms like Etsy or Creative Market to sell your designs. You can also enter contests on Canva to make some extra cash.

28. Home tutoring:

If you’re knowledgeable in a particular subject, you can offer your services as a home tutor and help students learn.

29. Real Estate Agency:

If you have experience in real estate, you can start your own real estate agency. You can specialise in residential or commercial properties. You can also be a consultant for investors.

30. Logistics service:

If you have experience in the logistics industry, you can start your own business and offer your services to businesses. You can start with 1 okada and gradually grow the business.

32. Car rental service:

If you have a large car, you can offer your services as a car rental service. You can rent your car out by the day or week.

33. Private driver:

If you have a driver’s license, you can offer your services as a private driver. You can drive people around town or to the airport. To make your business well packaged, you can create a website where customers can book your services online.

34. Grocery delivery service:

If you have a car, you can start a grocery delivery service. You can deliver groceries to people’s homes or offices. This business is becoming popular in Lagos, Abuja, and Portharcourt.

35. Electronic sale:

The sale of electronic gadgets is a very lucrative business; with a wide market, especially in Nigeria. You can start by selling phones and later move into other gadgets like laptops, tablets, etc.

36. Mini-importation:

This is a business where you buy goods in small quantities from other countries to sell in Nigeria. The most popular items for mini-importation are; clothes, shoes, bags, phones, and electronics.

37. Online marketing:

If you’re good at online marketing, you can offer your services to businesses and help them with their digital marketing efforts.

38. E-commerce:

If you’re good at online marketing, you can start an e-commerce business and sell products or services online.

39. Automobile clinic:

If you know about car repairs, you can start an automobile clinic and offer your services to car owners. To differentiate your business from the local or roadside mechanics, you need to have modern gadgets and equipment.

40. Cyber cafe:

A cyber cafe is a great business for people who are computer savvy. You can offer your customers internet access, printing, and scanning services.

41.POS/E-payment:

You can become an agent for banks and provide POS and e-payment services to people. POS/e-payment centres are found everywhere in Nigeria; in the park, markets, residential areas, etc. You can start in a small shop or kiosk with your phone and POS machine.

42. Solar panel installation:

As the use of solar energy increases, there is a need for more solar panel installers. If you know about solar panels, you can start your own business and offer your services to businesses and individuals.

This is currently a good business in Nigeria because of the hike in fuel prices.

43. Art Gallery:

If you’re an artist, you can start your own art gallery. You can sell your own artwork or that of other artists.

44. Music school:

If you’re musical, you can start your own music school and teach people how to play instruments or sing.

45. Recording studio:

If you have experience in the music industry, you can start your own recording studio. You can record music, voice-overs, and podcasts.

46. Restaurant:

If you’re a good cook, you can start your own restaurant. You can serve Nigerian or international cuisine. Restaurants are best located on major roads for good sales.

47. Real estate investment:

If you have some money to invest, you can buy property and rent it out. This is a long-term investment, but it can be very lucrative.

48. Gaming centre:

If you’re a gamer, you can start your own gaming centre and offer your services to other gamers.

49. Sports betting:

Sports betting is a very popular business in Nigeria. If you’re good at predicting sports results, you can start your own sports betting business.

50. Fish farming:

Fish farming is a very lucrative business in Nigeria. If you have some land, you can start your own fish farm. Doing this business in Nigeria requires some knowledge and experience.

51. Printing press:

A printing press is a great business for people who are creative and have experience in the printing industry. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals. You will get regular business as long as there are events and people need printed materials. All you need to do is to be aggressive with your marketing.

52. Fumigation business:

Fumigation is important in Nigeria because of the tropical climate. If you know about fumigation, you can start your own business and offer your services to offices and homes. You will need to get the equipment and chemicals for this business.

53. Haulage business:

Haulage is a very lucrative business in Nigeria. If you have a truck or two, you can start your own haulage business. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals.

54. Food exportation:

Nigeria is a very rich country when it comes to food. If you’re interested in the food business, you can start your own food exportation business. You can export Nigerian food to other countries.

55. Fashion stylist:

If you’re fashionable and have a good sense of style, you can start your own business as a fashion stylist. You can offer your services to people, especially celebrities.

56. Recharge card printing:

Recharge cards are very popular in Nigeria. If you’re interested in the printing business, you can start your own recharge card printing business. All you need is a printer and some paper.

57. CCTV installation:

[Illustration: image showing solar panels]

CCTV cameras are very important for security. If you’re knowledgeable about CCTV, you can start your own business and offer your services to businesses and individuals.

58. Surprise planning:

If you’re good at planning and organising events, you can start your own surprise planning business. You can offer your services to people who want to surprise their loved ones.

59. PR agent:

If you’re good at promoting and marketing, you can start your own PR business. You can offer your services to businesses and individuals. PR work includes adverts, press releases, branding, etc.

60. Sound system rental:

If you have a good sound system, you can start your own business and offer your services to businesses and individuals. This is a profitable business in Nigeria.

All you need is to be aggressive with your marketing.

There you have it!

60 Self-employed Business Ideas You Can Start in Nigeria. These are just a few ideas to get you started. If you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments section below.

Do you want to start your own business but don’t know where to start? Check out our website to speak with one of our experts.