How to Start a Profitable Business in Nigeria with ₦50k or Less
Why ₦50,000 Is More Than Enough to Start
In Nigeria’s ever-evolving economy, the idea of starting a business with just ₦50,000 might sound laughable to some—but for the savvy entrepreneur, it’s more than possible. With the rise of digital platforms, mobile banking, and e-commerce, low-capital businesses are thriving like never before.
Whether you’re a student, unemployed graduate, or full-time worker looking to escape the 9–5 grind, this guide will show you 15 profitable businesses you can start with ₦50,000 or less. We’ll also explore how to scale your hustle using Commilmart, Africa’s fastest-growing e-commerce platform.
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💡 1. Mini Importation Business
SEO Keywords: mini importation Nigeria, import goods Nigeria, sell products online Nigeria
Mini importation involves buying cheap products from China or other countries and reselling them in Nigeria at a profit.
🔧 What You Need:
- ₦30,000 for product purchase
- ₦10,000 for shipping
- ₦10,000 for marketing
🛒 Where to Buy:
📦 What to Sell:
- Phone accessories
- Fashion items
- Beauty tools
Commilmart Tip: List your imported products on Commilmart to reach thousands of buyers across Nigeria. Their seller dashboard makes inventory management easy.
🍲 2. Food Vending & Mobile Snacks
SEO Keywords: food business Nigeria, snacks to sell Nigeria, mobile food business
Food is always in demand. With ₦50,000, you can start a mobile snack business selling items like puff-puff, chin-chin, meat pies, or small chops.
🛠️ What You Need:
- Cooking utensils
- Ingredients
- Packaging materials
📍 Where to Sell:
- School gates
- Bus stops
- Office areas
Backlink Strategy: Link to recipe blogs or YouTube tutorials for Nigerian snacks. Example: All Nigerian Recipes
🧼 3. Liquid Soap & Detergent Production
SEO Keywords: soap making Nigeria, detergent business Nigeria, how to make liquid soap
This business is low-cost and high-demand. You can learn how to make soap in a day and start selling to households and small businesses.
📦 Startup Cost Breakdown:
- ₦10,000 for chemicals
- ₦5,000 for containers
- ₦5,000 for branding
- ₦30,000 for marketing and transport
📚 Where to Learn:
- YouTube tutorials
- Local workshops
Commilmart Tip: Sell your branded soap on Commilmart and offer bulk discounts for schools and hotels.
👗 4. Thrift Fashion (Okrika) Sales
SEO Keywords: thrift business Nigeria, okrika clothes Nigeria, sell second-hand clothes
Thrift fashion is booming in Nigeria. With ₦50,000, you can buy a bale of second-hand clothes and resell them at a profit.
🛍️ Where to Buy:
- Yaba Market (Lagos)
- Wuse Market (Abuja)
- Aba Market (Abia)
📱 How to Sell:
- Instagram & WhatsApp
- Commilmart online store
Backlink Tip: Link to fashion blogs and styling tips to attract fashion-conscious buyers.
💻 5. Phone Accessories Business
SEO Keywords: phone accessories Nigeria, sell chargers Nigeria, earphones business
Phone accessories like chargers, earphones, and screen guards are fast-moving products.
📦 What to Sell:
- USB cables
- Power banks
- Bluetooth speakers
🛒 Where to Buy:
- Computer Village (Lagos)
- Online wholesalers
Commilmart Tip: Create a tech store on Commilmart and offer bundle deals to increase average order value.
🧁 6. Home Baking & Pastry Sales
SEO Keywords: baking business Nigeria, sell cakes Nigeria, small chops business
If you love baking, turn your passion into profit. Start with cupcakes, doughnuts, and small chops.
🧁 What You Need:
- Oven or stove
- Baking pans
- Ingredients
📱 Marketing Channels:
- TikTok
- Commilmart for custom orders
Backlink Strategy: Link to baking tutorials and recipe blogs to build authority.
🧴 7. Perfume Oil Reselling
SEO Keywords: perfume oil Nigeria, sell fragrance Nigeria, perfume business Nigeria
Perfume oils are affordable and have high resale value. You can start with as little as ₦20,000.
🛒 Where to Buy:
- Balogun Market (Lagos)
- Online wholesalers
📦 Packaging:
- Small roll-on bottles
- Branded labels
Commilmart Tip: Create a fragrance store and offer combo packs for gifting.
🧵 8. Bead Making & Jewelry Sales
SEO Keywords: bead making Nigeria, jewelry business Nigeria, handmade accessories Nigeria
Beads and handmade jewelry are popular for weddings, church events, and fashion.
🧰 What You Need:
- Beads and wires
- Clasps and hooks
- Branding materials
📱 Where to Sell:
- Commilmart
- Local markets
Backlink Tip: Link to fashion influencers who wear handmade jewelry.
🧑🏫 9. Tutoring & Home Lessons
SEO Keywords: tutoring business Nigeria, home lessons Nigeria, teach kids Nigeria
If you’re good at math, English, or science, offer tutoring services to students.
📚 What You Need:
- ₦5,000 for flyers
- ₦10,000 for transport
- ₦35,000 for marketing and materials
📍 Where to Advertise:
- WhatsApp groups
- School gates
- Commilmart service listing
🧴 10. Skincare Products Reselling
SEO Keywords: skincare Nigeria, organic cream Nigeria, beauty products Nigeria
Resell popular skincare products or create your own organic line.
🧴 What to Sell:
- Black soap
- Body scrubs
- Face creams
📦 Where to Buy:
- Wholesale beauty stores
- Online suppliers
Commilmart Tip: Create a beauty store and offer skincare bundles.
📸 11. Photography & Phone Editing Services
SEO Keywords: photography business Nigeria, photo editing Nigeria, mobile photography Nigeria
With a good smartphone and editing apps, you can offer photography services for birthdays, events, and social media content.
📱 Tools to Use:
- Snapseed
- Lightroom Mobile
- Canva
Backlink Strategy: Link to your Instagram portfolio and Commilmart service page.
🧘 12. Fitness Coaching & Wellness Products
SEO Keywords: fitness coach Nigeria, wellness products Nigeria, weight loss Nigeria
Offer virtual fitness coaching or sell wellness products like detox teas and waist trainers.
📦 What You Need:
- ₦20,000 for products
- ₦30,000 for marketing
Commilmart Tip: Sell your fitness products and offer coaching packages.
🧑🎨 13. Graphic Design & Branding Services
SEO Keywords: graphic design Nigeria, logo design Nigeria, branding services Nigeria
If you’re skilled in design, offer services to small businesses and startups.
🧰 Tools to Use:
- Canva
- Adobe Illustrator
- Figma
Backlink Tip: Link to your Behance or Dribbble portfolio and Commilmart service listing.
📦 14. Resell Digital Products
SEO Keywords: sell eBooks Nigeria, digital products Nigeria, online courses Nigeria
Buy or create digital products like eBooks, templates, or courses and resell them.
🛒 Where to Sell:
🧑💻 15. Social Media Management
SEO Keywords: social media manager Nigeria, Instagram manager Nigeria, online jobs Nigeria
Help small businesses manage their social media accounts and grow their online presence.
📱 What You Need:
- Canva for content
- Buffer or Hootsuite for scheduling
- ₦50,000 for marketing and branding
Commilmart Tip: Offer monthly packages and list your services on Commilmart.