25 Small Scale Business Ideas In Nigeria

Stumbled on this and I think it worth sharing:
1. Livestock Farming
Livestock farming is a booming business in Nigeria and the trend
is not dying anytime soon. With 150+million mouths to feed
daily, there will always be demand for livestock products.
However, lack of technical know-how and the use of crude
equipment are the major factors hampering the growth of this
industry. If you can come in with adequate knowledge and the
patience to nurture this business, you will reap immensely. Now
you can choose to either venture into livestock breeding of
animals or better still, you can stick to livestock feed production
or equipment retailing.
◦Poultry farming – Egg production, meat production, hatchery or
day-old-chicks production, etc.
◦Cattle Farming – Diary (milk) production, beef, etc.
◦Goat Farming
◦Sheep
◦Fish Farming
◦Piggery
◦Grasscutter Farming
◦Snail Farming
2. Agro-products exportation
Nigeria is blessed with a lot of food and natural resources; and
most of these natural resources are raw materials needed for the
production of some finished products. Every day, tons of raw
materials and food products leave the shores of Nigeria to
countries such as India, Vietnam, China, USA, UK, Brazil, etc; yet,
the demand is never met. You can become an exporter by simply
registering with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and decide
on the specific product you wish to export. Examples of products
highly in demand are Chili pepper, Kola nuts, Bitter Kola, Cassava
flakes (Garri), Cocoa, Groundnut, Yam flour, Cashew nuts, etc.
3. Mining
Nigeria is blessed with a lot of mineral resources like Limestone,
Coal, Iron ore, Bitumen, etc. Aside this, the mining industry in
Nigeria is set to take off because the federal government in June
2013 implemented a policy to drive forward the mining industry
by declaring the importation of mining equipment duty free. The
government is also going after many dormant investors who
were granted mining licenses but are not utilizing it. This act I
believe, will spur the growth in the mining sector. If you have the
financial capacity and a team, you can position yourself in this
sector.
4. Setting up a private mini refinery
There are lots of business opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
Building a private refinery and refining crude oil is another
business you should look into because there is a lot of potential
in it. In January 2012, the federal government announced the
partial removal of subsidy and with a long term plan to totally
remove fuel subsidy. What this means in essence is that
petroleum product importers will now sell as they buy; thus
bringing in competition and it is a known fact that 80% of
petroleum products consumed in Nigeria are imported. Now with
the total removal of fuel subsidy, investors will now have the
opportunity to set up their own refinery and produce fuel. Are you
among those that think the total fuel subsidy removal is a pipe
dream? Then think again because in May 2013, Aliko Dangote
raised $4billion for the setting up of a refinery; which will be sited
in Ondo state. Enough said.
5. Inland waterway Transport
There are lots of opportunities in the transport industry and
inland waterway is one of them. Nigeria has a broad network of
inland waterways comprising rivers, creeks, lakes and seas; yet,
transportation still remains a challenge because investors are yet
to tap into water transportation. A lot of countries such as Italy,
Thailand, etc have effectively been utilizing their waterways as a
means of transport; thus reducing the traffic congestion on the
road. All you need to do is to incorporate a company, obtain
license from the state and federal government, import or
purchase some locally fabricated boats; and you are in business.
6. Establishing a Television and Radio Station
Now it is a known fact that the mass media industry is saturated
in Nigeria. However, this is only true for some cities in Nigeria
such as Lagos and Abuja. I have travel through several parts of
the countries and discovered that most states have no private TV
station, and only rely on the government own TV stations; which
are very incompetent, uncreative and unreliable. I see an
opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors with interest and
competence in broadcasting or mass media. You can either
choose to setup a radio station or TV Station.
7. Setting up a security company
There is a huge demand for excellent security services in
Nigeria. As the government battle to improve the security
situation in the country, individuals and corporate entities are
now becoming aware of the fact that security is not the
responsibility of the government alone; it is a collective
responsibility. Hence, the current increase in demand for security
guards, bodyguards, executive protection professionals and
security gadgets or devices. As an entrepreneur or investor, you
can setup a security guard recruitment or training company, or
you can setup a bodyguard agency. Also, you can import and
retail security products and safety devices.
8. Sewing of specialized uniforms
There are over 500 schools (both Crèche, primary and secondary)
in Lagos state alone; and each of these schools have a specific
uniform or attire for their students. Okay, let’s look beyond
educational institutions. Do you know that other individuals and
corporate organizations are in need of uniforms for their security
personnel, staff, etc? There are also a lot or military (Army, Air
Force, Navy), paramilitary (Civil Defense Corps, Police Force) and
non-paramilitary (Road Safety, Traffic Warden, Kick against
Indiscipline, Vigilante groups, etc) organizations in Nigeria that
make use of uniforms. You can position yourself as a uniform
supplier and make money from it.
9. Construction company
Nigeria is still a developing country especially in the area of
infrastructure but this is set to change in the nearest future.
Massive constructions are currently on-going in Nigeria ranging
from bridges, roads, towers and skyscrapers, etc. If you run a
construction company oversee, or you have the financial capacity
to assemble the needed team and machinery for a construction
company; then this is a business you should invest in.
10. Real Estate development
I have met a lot of individuals with money piling up in the bank,
but they don’t seem to know what to do with that money. Yet, on
every business trip I make, I hear stories of people facing
accommodation problems; not because they can’t afford it but
because there is none within their choice of location. Also, I hear
woeful stories from students in various universities and other
high institutions who live under harsh conditions; not because
they want to or can’t afford a comfortable place to live; but
because they is no conducive apartment in close proximity to the
institutions.
I also know the stress, effort and resources it took me before I
got an office space both within and outside Lagos. What these
facts or complaints are pointing to is that there is a massive
need for buildings, both residential and commercial. It is a known
fact that shelter is one of the basic needs of man. Now for those
who wouldn’t want to go through the ups and downs of running a
business, you can choose to invest in development of hotels,
school hostels for students, shopping malls, residential
apartments, events and conference halls, etc.
11. Set up a writing company
If you are current with trend, you would have observed that most
jobs in the United States are now being outsourced to countries
like Philippines, India, China, etc. And as things stand now, a
trickle of such outsourcing jobs are coming to Nigeria and one of
such jobs is Article Writing or Ghostwriting. Do you have passion
and skill for writing? If yes, then you can either choose to write
from home as a self employed freelance writer or you can setup a
company, employ competent writers and source for jobs online.
This business is easy to get into and it is very profitable.
12. Call center agency
Have you called the customer care service of a telecom network
before? Or have you tried sending a message or complaint to a
corporate organization before? Do you know that those who take
your calls, complaints and respond accordingly are not
employees of the companies you patronize; neither do they
operate in the premises of the company. If you are hearing this
for the first time, then welcome to the world of “Call center
outsourcing.” You can setup a call center agency and work for
big companies on a contract basis. One sweet fact about this
business is that you can start it from home and it doesn’t require
much startup capital unless you want to scale up by employing
more helping hands.
13. Recruitment Agency
The labour market is becoming tougher and there are over five
million unemployed youths in Nigeria. Another hard fact is that
companies are no longer employing full time in-house staff; they
are now using the services of recruitment agencies to employ
people based on contract basis. This strategy is aimed at
reducing the cost of doing business by avoiding the cost of
conducting a recruitment exercise and also avoiding employee
claims and benefits. This is the sole reason why banks and other
companies are sacking their workers on daily basis. So rather
than fight the trend, why not profit from it by setting up a
recruitment agency and connect jobseekers to their dream jobs.
You can also be a corporate executive headhunter and make
money poaching competent staff from one company to another.
14. Importation of wears
Clothing is another basic need of man. Regardless of the
economy, people must wear clothes and this includes shoes,
bags, underwear, perfumes, etc. Now there is a fast growing
trend now and that is “Used clothes” or “Recycled clothes.” Since
the economy is getting tougher and there’s need to be clothed,
the masses have resolved to buying used clothes rather than new
ones. Still yet, there is a market for new clothes; for men,
women, and kids. You can source your materials from China,
Hong Kong, Italy, France, Dubai, India, etc.
15. Haulage and logistics
Haulage and logistics is another booming business in Nigeria
because regardless of the weather, people must haul their goods
from one location to another. In fact, haulage or trucking
business is one of the most profitable businesses so far; though
it is management intensive. However, you can start with just a
truck and see how it goes. You can choose to focus on hauling
containers for clients from the seaports to their various
destinations or better still, you can choose to haul products of
specific companies such as breweries, production companies,
etc. You can also haul perishable goods from farms and villages
to the marketplace or you can haul specialty products such as
frozen foods, petroleum products, gas, etc. Now there is also an
opportunity for those who want to venture into haulage business
but do not want to be bugged down by management
requirements. All you need to do is to buy a truck and contract it
to a Haulage and logistics company; which will in turn pay you a
specified amount weekly or monthly based on agreement.
16. Outsourced bus service
This is another form of haulage business, but this time you will
be lifting humans. This is a business that requires providing
transportation services to organizations that cannot afford to buy
a vehicle in-house. Your clients in this case can be schools,
religious organizations, NGOs, etc. Now just imagine providing a
bus and a driver, to be shared by three or more schools that can’t
afford to own their own private bus; and you will catch the vision
of this business.
17. e-Services
Nigeria is catching on with the rest of the world with respect to
technology. If you are technologically inclined, you can setup
shop in Nigeria and start offering e-services to clients. Example
of such e-services include Web designing and development, App
development, Digital marketing services, Search Engine
Optimization services, Banner design services, Bulk SMS
services, Online registration of exams such as JAMB, WAEC,
professional courses, etc
18. Daycare centre
The demand for quality childcare service is increasing daily.
Parents are now working harder just to generate enough income
to keep the family going, thus leaving them with less time for the
children. Now to be honest with you, there are a lot of daycare
centers existing but only a few are providing exceptional
services; and parents that cherish their kids are never
comfortable leaving their kids in a child care centre whose
environment is dirty. If you can come in with exceptional service
and creativity, you will make money from this business. Another
thing you must know is that you can start this business from
home.
19. Training centers
Every year, millions of people sit for examinations and tests in
Nigeria and most of these people usually need some kind of
trainings or tutorials. You can position yourself as a provider of
such training and make money off this niche. Examples of
trainings you can offer include skill vocational acquisition
training, corporate management skill training, etc. You can also
conduct tutorial for individuals writing professional exams like
ICAN, WAEC, JAMB, A. LEVEL, etc.
20. Waste Management
Waste management is another business with a future potential
because Nigerians are yet to imbibe the habit of proper waste
disposal. However, states like Lagos have been doing a lot to
encourage proper waste disposal and management. Now there
are several businesses you can start within the waste
management niche and these include waste recycling, waste
disposal, junk hauling, organic fertilizer production, etc.
21. Food processing
Another profitable industry to consider is the food processing
industry. The concept of this industry is simply to take raw food
materials and turn them into finished products. In fact, there are
a lot of businesses you can do in this niche and examples of such
businesses include Tomato puree production, Garri Processing,
oil palm processing, groundnut processing, Fruit juice production,
Rice milling, etc.
22. Alternative Power Installation
As the world goes green, and Nigeria battles her power supply
challenges; there is an already established opening in Nigeria’s
power sector. Even though the government has taken steps to
deregulate the power sector by granting licenses for Independent
Power Plants, granting a free import duty for the importation of
power generation equipment and commissioning several power
projects, this will never hamper the growing demand for
alternative power generators such as solar panels, wind mills,
Inverters, etc. You can either make money by importing and
retailing these materials or you can choose to focus on
installations.
23. Plantation Farming
Do you have a fertile vacant land and you know that you won’t be
developing any structure on it in the nearest future? Then why not
start a livestock farming, crop cultivation or plantation farming.
There are a lot of cash crops you can plant, nurture and forget;
and they will keep providing you with steady returns annually.
Examples of crops you can start a plantation around are Orange,
Plantain, Kola nut, Oil palm, Cocoa, Cassava, Yam, etc.
24. Manufacturing
You can also venture into small scale manufacturing of products
that are in daily need. You don’t need to build a factory or
industrial plant; you can start on a small scale from your room or
a rented store or apartment. Products you can start
manufacturing include Toothpick, Tissue paper, Serviette, chalk
production, candle, Match sticks, nylons and polythene bags,
cartons, paper bags, etc.
25. Bottled water production
I get calls from individuals almost on daily basis who are
interested in setting up a “sachet water” (Pure water) production
plant. Now let me tell you the honest truth, the sachet water or
pure water business is saturated and the business may die off
very soon. Why did I say this? Well, I got information from a
reliable source that there is a long term plan to ban the
production of sachet or nylon water; so as to stem environmental
degradation and checkmate blocked drainages. So once this bill
is passed into law, the sachet water production industry is toast.
The only solution I foresee that can keep this business afloat is
the establishment of a nylon recycling plant. However, to avoid
being a victim of this yet-to-be proposed policy, it is advisable
you venture into bottled water products and establish yourself as
a brand.