In this article, we will look at the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria that anyone can start with small capital or big capital. These lucrative business ideas are very profitable. They have the capacity to make anyone successful if well handled. A lot of them are not well explored in Nigeria.
Advantages of starting lucrative businesses in Nigeria.
There are so many good sides to starting a business in Nigeria. First, you put your destiny in your own hands. No boss can walk up tomorrow and tell you “you are fired!” There is job security.
Another reason is the opportunity to grow and build a brand for yourself. When you run your own business, you are building a brand. The more you grow, the bigger your brand. Take a look at Dangote. Even after he is gone, his brand will remain.
You have the opportunity to impact the economy by creating jobs and providing a livelihood for other Nigerians. The joy of employing people and giving them a means to survive should be a big motivation for everyone with a good heart to venture into other lucrative businesses.
Most lucrative business ideas in Nigeria
Here are the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria:
1. Oil and Gas business
The simple truth is that Nigeria and to a large extend, the world, still depends on oil and gas. As long as this trend continues, this business will continue to dominate. Oil and gas is definitely king among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria.
Look at this way, we depend on gas or kerosene to cook. We depend on fuel to move around whether we are using cars, okada or Keke-napep. And because of poor electricity supply we depend on fuel for electricity. All the big and small companies in Nigeria depend on fuel or diesel to operate.
Opportunities in Oil and gas business include sale of petrol, kerosene, diesel to consumers. This may need you to open a filling station or just be a mini retailer but in all you would see massive profits.
Cooking gas is an untapped business in Nigeria. Many people are so focused on Petrol that they over look cooking gas. You can supply cooking gas to retailers or you become a retailer and refill gas for end users. Spice it up. This business one of the very lucrative businesses, and it does not cost much to start. You can start small and grow!
2. Agriculture business
Apart from being one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria, agriculture business is an evergreen business. It never gets old and never fade. As long as human exists, agriculture business will continue to strive. This makes it a very important and strategic business.
One thing that makes this business so attractive is that there are lots of loans or financing options available for agriculture entrepreneurs in Nigeria. We have a dedicated Bank of Agriculture operated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank and Ministry of Agriculture. You can read: How to get a loan from the Bank of Agriculture. Many business lenders give lots of preference to the agriculture sector.
there is huge profit and growth waiting for anyone who ventures into agriculture business.
Some opportunities in Agriculture business include
- Snail farming
- Fish farming business
- Cattle farming
- Cassava farming
- Poultry farming
- Snake farming
- Palm oil business
- Food stuff sale
- Foreign exportation
3. Food business
There is no way food business will not be among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. This is an evergreen business. People will always eat! No matter how hard the economy is, one thing people can never do without is food.
If you can find an excellent location, acquire the right skills and personnel, you can run a successful food business. This is a business without season. It is in demand every day.
Here are some opportunities in food business:
- Franchise
Nigerians love big brands like Mr. Bigg’s and co. Some of these brands are so popular that people are loyal to a particular brand. You can find a good
This is a business that, if you run well, can make you rich. It is also very easy to win loyal customers. As long as your food is delicious, people will always come back.
- Local restaurant
You can open a local restaurant that appeals to a particular set of food eaters. For example, you can open a “Calabar restaurant” where you serve the world famous Edika-ikong and Affang soup.
- Foreign and intercontinental restaurant
Foreign and intercontinental foods are becoming very popular in Nigeria. The restaurant that serves these kinds of meals attract high worth individuals, foreigners and celebrities.
4. Blogging Business
Blogging business has definitely earned its place among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. More and more people prefer to read news online than newspapers. Gradually news blogs are replacing newspapers for many people. This has open enormous opportunities.
Bloggers make money through direct advertisement, ad networks, affiliate marketing, product sales, sponsored post, partnerships and many more. On average, high end bloggers make over 20 million Naira every month in Nigeria.
5. Real Estate business
Real Estate business is one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria and anywhere in the world. There is no doubt about it. People will always need a roof over their head. As population continue to increase, real estate business will continue to boom. As people move to cities, this business keep booming.
There are many opportunities in real estate business. You can work as an agent. Helping people find properties and an apartment for a fee or commission. Also helping property sellers and landlords find buyers or tenants for a fee.
You can develop properties in highly sought after environment for sale or for rent. You can also invest in lands and either develop or sell when it appreciates.
6. Furniture business
Furniture business is deservedly among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. The market is huge and demand is high. People will always use furniture. People seat on furniture, sleep on furniture. Kitchen – furniture, sitting room – furniture. Companies need furniture. We are surrounded by furniture. Furniture is an essential commodity.
You can start a carpentry shop where you make well polished furniture for various purposes. Employ skilled carpenters. Supply furniture to show rooms, companies, schools and sell to individuals.
7. Hotel business
Hotel business is very lucrative and cannot be overlooked among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. The population of Nigeria is huge and people move from one place to another either for pleasure or business. Hotel provides shelter for them. Also, people coming into the country patronize hotels.
To succeed in hotel business, you need to either look for a less competitive environment and start up or offer better or cheaper services in a competitive area. To supplement your income, your hotels should have event hall where people rent for events. A bar and restaurant.
8. Transportation business
Transportation makes this list of most lucrative businesses in Nigeria and deservedly so. This is one business that you cannot do without. People are always moving. Moving to work, moving to church or mosque, moving to visit, moving from city to city. There is always movement. With over 150 million people in Nigeria on the move, this business is lucrative.
You can start with small capital or big capital. You can drive Uber with your car for extra income. Buy buses, okada or keke-napep. Even planes. The market is huge and very much in demand. People are always moving!
9. Social media marketing
With so many people spending most of their time on social media, social media marketing has to be among the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria.
Social media marketing is all about using social media to find leads for businesses. You can work independently and help businesses make the best of social media or you can promote and sell product via social media.
10. Fashion business
There is no way fashion business will not make it to the list of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria. Nigerians love party, be it weddings, birthdays, end-of-the-year gatherings. Even during funeral, we still find a way to throw party – burial ceremony! For all these events, there are uniform.
Fashion business is very much in demand. People will always wear clothes. To go to work, school, even to sleep, people need cloth. The demand is very high.
You can go into fashion designing and make amazing clothes. You will have large patronize from different quarters. You can also open a boutique and sell imported and locally made fashion items. You can do printing services, print on t-shirts and caps .
11. Online Video business
The truth is that people spend more time online than they spend watching TV. Gradually, consuming video online is becoming popular. Especially YouTube and Netflix.
If not for how expensive internet data is in Nigeria, a lot of people will have ignored their TV and watch almost everything online.
The market is big. You can start a video blog on YouTube and focus on your favourite subject. You make money from ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorship and many more.
12. Dry Cleaning business
This business is very lucrative in the city. Most busy workers rely on dry cleaners for their laundry needs. Companies and organizations make use of dry cleaning services very often. In this business, you will always have customer if you are in the right location.
13. Dropshipping business
Dropshipping business is a very lucrative business. It gives you the opportunity to run your own online shop without a warehouse or need the need to have products.
All you have to do is open an online store, then copy inventory from manufacturers or suppliers and put them in your online shop. If anyone orders, the supplier will ship to them and you get your money!
Also read: side hustle to generate passive income
You can start an online shop with WooCommerce, Shopify or any other platform
We will keep adding to and modifying this list. You can bookmark this page and check back in the future for the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria.
Also read: How to become an entrepreneur in Nigeria
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