Truth be told, starting a business in Nigeria can feel overwhelming. Everyone says “start something,” but when you look around, everything seems expensive.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to rent an office, hire a team, or buy fancy equipment before you start making money. With ₦800,000 or less, you can build a solid business that pays you monthly and grows steadily — if you choose wisely.
Let’s look at 7 smart businesses you can start right now in Nigeria with ₦800k or less — no office, no staff, no unnecessary stress.
1. Skincare and Organic Beauty Products Business
The beauty industry in Nigeria is exploding — and the demand isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Everyone wants clearer skin, glowing body oils, or organic creams that work.
With ₦800k, you can start producing your own line of organic soaps, body scrubs, face creams, or oils. You don’t even need a physical shop — just a clean workspace and packaging materials.
The key is branding. Make your product look premium, even if it’s small-scale. Post before-and-after photos (ethically), get influencers or micro-creators to review your product, and focus on consistency.
Pro tip: Offer bundle deals — e.g., “Full glow kit: soap + oil + cream” — it increases your profit per customer.
2. Food Delivery and Home Kitchen Brand
You don’t need a restaurant to make money from food. If you can cook delicious meals and present them well, you can start a home-based food delivery business.
With ₦800k, you can buy basic cooking utensils, good packaging, and pay for delivery logistics (via Bolt Food, Glovo, or independent riders). Nigerians working in offices or living alone are always looking for clean, home-style meals.
Specialize in one area — e.g., swallow and soups, rice varieties, or lunch packs. Build an Instagram page, post daily menus, and offer free delivery for first-time customers.
Pro tip: Clean packaging = trust. People eat with their eyes before they even taste your food.
3. Thrift and Imported Fashion Business
You’ve probably seen how thrift clothing (a.k.a. okrika premium) is booming online. With ₦800k, you can buy bales of thrift wears — sneakers, designer jeans, vintage shirts, handbags — and sell them on Instagram or WhatsApp.
Alternatively, use that same amount to import affordable, trendy fashion items directly from Turkey or China. Nigerians love to look good, and the middle-class market is massive.
You don’t need a shop — just content, packaging, and trust. Post clear pictures, use models (friends will do), and run small Facebook or Instagram ads to reach buyers.
Pro tip: Focus on one gender or niche — e.g., “Ladies’ Smart Casual Wears” or “Men’s Street Fashion” — it helps your brand grow faster.
4. Perfume Oil Business
This is one of the fastest-growing small-scale businesses in Nigeria right now.
Perfume oils are cheap to import, have high profit margins, and customers buy repeatedly. With ₦800k, you can order quality oils in bulk, buy small 3ml–30ml bottles, and brand them with your custom labels.
You can sell to individuals, offices, salons, and even gift vendors.
Pro tip: Offer samples for ₦500–₦1,000 — once people like the scent, they’ll buy the bigger size without hesitation.
5. Printing and Branding Business
Every business wants to look professional — meaning they’ll need branded T-shirts, flyers, nylon bags, business cards, stickers, and banners.
With ₦800k, you can start small by partnering with printing presses and focusing on branding services rather than owning all the machines yourself.
You collect jobs online or within your area, design (using Canva or a freelance designer), and outsource the printing. You make profit as the middleman while building your brand.
Pro tip: Target small business owners — they always need branding and repeat orders are common.
6. YouTube or TikTok Content Creation
If you’re creative and can talk, act, or educate, this might be your goldmine.
You don’t need a film studio. With ₦800k, you can buy a good phone, ring light, lapel mic, and backdrop, and start producing short videos. Pick a niche you understand — business tips, humor, lifestyle, or storytelling — and stay consistent.
Once your page grows, you can monetize through ads, brand sponsorships, and affiliate links.
Pro tip: Study what’s trending, but find your unique voice. Audiences love personality, not perfection.
7. E-commerce Product Reselling
E-commerce is booming in Nigeria — and reselling products is one of the smartest entry points.
With ₦800k, you can buy trending items like kitchen gadgets, health products, waist trainers, or tech accessories in bulk and sell online through Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or your own WhatsApp store.
You don’t need a warehouse or website. Just use quality product photos, set a delivery fee, and partner with reliable logistics companies.
Pro tip: Don’t sell too many different products at once. Focus on 2–3 fast-moving ones and dominate that small niche.
Final Thoughts
₦800,000 can open doors — not if you chase random ideas, but if you choose smart, scalable ones that don’t drain you with rent or salaries.
Focus on businesses where you control your time, marketing, and cash flow.
Start small, stay consistent, and reinvest your profits — that’s the difference between a hustle and a growing brand.