Here are 5 proven, fast-moving businesses you can start small and grow quickly, especially if you can market on social media platforms and deliver reliably.
No “quick money” tricks here, just practical options that people are already buying every day. As a delivery company, we have first-hand data on this.
1. Food Business: Food Trays, Small Chops & “Convenience Food”
Food never dies. What changed in recent years is how people buy it; instead of relying on big food businesses, Nigerians now prefer local vendors near them. This means you don't need a restaurant or staff or even a big budget to start.
More people started ordering online for:
- birthdays and surprise deliveries,
- office lunch packs,
- small gatherings, weekends, etc.
There are entire food brands that exist mainly because they can make good meals, package food well and deliver fast.
Why it works
- People don’t want stress.
- Food is visual.
- Repeat orders are easy if your taste + hygiene is consistent.
What makes new food businesses fail
- Late deliveries (food arrives cold or mashed).
- Weak packaging.
- No structure (orders scattered across all channels).
How to get started and win
- Pick one niche first: small chops, trays, lunch packs, food boxes, etc.
- Create packages for food trays and small chops (Budget / Standard / Premium / Custom).
- For lunch packs have a good menu, sizeable portions and protein options.
- Don't forget to leverage socials; food thrives a lot on impulse buys.
- Make delivery part of the pricing from day one.
Take care of the customer, good food and great service = success.
2. Thrift Fashion (Okrika)
Thrift is not about trends. It's affordable clothing, and that alone is a massive unique selling point in Nigeria.
Two things drove demand for thrift in 2025:
- cost of living pressure pushing people to cheaper fashion
- social selling, especially TikTok Live, making “drops” feel like events
Why it works
- Inventory can be small but profitable if your taste is good.
- You sell speed and scarcity.
- Students and young workers are always buying.
What makes thrift brands win
- They curate. They don’t just sell “bales”, they sell style.
- They post consistently (daily fits, price tags, try-ons).
- They ship same day or next day, so buyers trust them.
- Start small with mini-selects first (not full bales if you’re new).
- Focus on one category or niche: blazers, jeans, dresses, handbags.
Build a simple system: sizes, prices, “first to pay gets it”, delivery rules.
3. Perfume Oils & Scent Business
Perfumes always trend because smelling good is one of the cheapest “status upgrades” people can still afford.
And globally, fragrance culture is getting louder due to social media influence.
Why it works
- Small product, high margin.
- Easy to bundle (2 for X, 3 for Y).
- Repeat buyers + referrals are natural (“what are you wearing?” is free marketing).
Where new brands mess up
- Dirty bottles/labels kills trust instantly.
- Fake “long lasting” claims that don’t match reality.
- No differentiation in a crowded market (selling the same thing as everybody else).
Simple ways to stand out and win
Don’t just sell oils. Sell a vibe:
- “Office scent”
- “Date night scents”
- “After-shower oils”, etc.
But please, let them actually last; source quality products.
4. Skincare & Body Care
Skincare and body care were hot in 2025, and the raw-material angle even got political at some point (Nigeria’s move to boost local processing of shea was part of that bigger conversation).
Why it works (when done right)
- Strong repeat orders (if it works for the customer).
- People buy based on results + trust, not just price.
- Good branding carries you far.
The reality check
If you’re mixing anything people will rub on their skin, you need to think about:
hygiene,
shelf life,
reactions,
and regulation.
Ensure products are quality; don't just mix anything.
NAFDAC has published specific guidance and regulations for cosmetic products in Nigeria. If you want to grow beyond small informal sales, you should read them early and get complaint.
Safer “low capital” entry point
Instead of mixing 12 ingredients like a chemist, start with:
- sourcing quality products wholesale,
- rebranding legally and responsibly where applicable,
- or becoming a reseller for trusted local brands first.
5. Jewelry & Accessories Business
Accessories are one of the easiest products to sell online because:
- they’re impulse buys,
- they photograph well,
- and they pair naturally with “outfit content”.
This also rides on Nigeria’s growing social commerce behaviour (people discovering products on social media and buying via chat), tied to broader e-commerce growth trends.
Why it works
- Low unit cost, decent margins.
- Bundles increase AOV (average order value).
- Easy gifting category (birthdays, love packages, etc).
What separates serious sellers from “random vendors”
- Clean product photos (natural light + simple background).
- Consistent packaging (boxes + thank-you card goes a long way).
- Reliable delivery and clear return/damage policy.
Bonus: Lip Gloss & Lip Care Products (Lip Balm, Lip Oil, Lip Scrubs)
This is one of the easiest beauty categories to start small and grow fast. Lip care products sell because they’re affordable, giftable, and people don’t mind buying multiple at once.
Why it works:
- Low cost per unit, good profit margin
- Bundles and “combo packs” increase order size
- Repeat buyers are common, especially if your formula feels good
Important note:
If you’re selling to the public at scale, treat it like a real cosmetics business early. NAFDAC has rules around cosmetics registration and labelling, and lip products fall under cosmetics categories depending on what you’re selling and what claims you make.
How Much Capital You Need, and How to Manage Expectations
With ₦40k–₦70k you can start all businesses listed here at a small scale.
Since you're on a tight budget, simple but clean packaging should be your target. Also, you won't be spending money on marketing, so prepare a consistent content plan and routine (TikTok, IG Reels, WhatsApp status) for organic reach.
Final Notes
Low capital is fine. Pick one business model.
Start with a small, clean offer and deliver fast.
Keep your customers happy.
That’s the real “cash out”.
Most small businesses don’t die because the product is terrible. They die because customers stop trusting them. Take delivery seriously.
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