10 Businesses You Can Start With Just ₦5,000 in Nigeria
Yes, you heard me right, and I know some of you might think that I am crazy. And I don’t blame you if you think I am crazy. Our naira loses value almost on a daily basis, and you may think it is not possible, but trust me, there are still businesses you can start in Nigeria with a capital as low as ₦5,000.
Now, before you roll your eyes and close this article, hear me out. Many successful businesses today started from almost nothing. The problem is that people always think they need millions of Naira before they start something, forgetting that small beginnings lead to big success. The key is to start small, be consistent, and reinvest your profit.
If you have just ₦5,000 sitting in your account or under your pillow, don’t use it to buy suya and soft drinks. Let me show you 10 practical businesses you can start with that money and grow into something big.
10 Businesses You Can Start With Just ₦5,000 in Nigeria
1. Mini Importation
A lot of people hear the word "importation" and immediately think about bringing in containers from China or Dubai. But the truth is, mini-importation is no longer for the rich. Thanks to online platforms like 1688, AliExpress, and Kemu, you can buy cheap but high-demand products and resell them for a nice profit.
You don’t need millions to start. With just ₦5,000, you can get small but fast-selling products like rechargeable fans, phone accessories, or fashion items like earrings, wristwatches, and socks. These items may look insignificant, but Nigerians buy them every day. The trick is to focus on what people need and buy regularly.
Think about it, how many times have you seen someone complain about their phone charger spoiling? Or someone buying a small handheld fan because of the crazy Nigerian heat? These small problems are what you should tap into. Buy low-cost items in small quantities, sell to friends, family, and neighbors, then reinvest your profit to scale up.
You don’t even need a physical shop. Just take clear pictures, post on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Marketplace, and start selling. If you are consistent, in a few months, you’ll move from small items to bigger goods.
2. Liquid Soap and Detergent Production
Soap will never go out of demand. Whether for washing plates, cleaning clothes, or even mopping floors, every Nigerian household uses soap daily. And guess what? You don’t need ₦50,000 or ₦100,000 to start producing it.
With as little as ₦5,000, you can buy the basic raw materials for making liquid soap and detergent. The best part? You can learn how to make them for free on YouTube. Some local chemists even offer quick training for a small fee. Once you perfect your formula, you can start producing in small batches and selling to neighbors, market women, and small businesses.
Don’t just stop at making the soap, create a small brand for yourself. Get cheap plastic bottles, print simple labels, and package your products well. Nigerians love well-packaged products. Even if your soap is the best in the market, if it looks rough, people won’t buy it.
Once you start getting customers, offer discounts for referrals. Before you know it, you’ll be supplying schools, restaurants, and supermarkets.
3. Small Chops Business
If there’s one thing Nigerians cannot resist, it’s food. And small chops like puff-puff, akara, and buns are street favorites. People buy them for breakfast, lunch, or just as snacks while waiting for the bus. With ₦5,000, you can start making and selling these snacks right in your neighborhood.
The good thing about this business is that it does not require much equipment. You only need flour, sugar, yeast, and oil to start. If you can make your puff-puff soft, hot, and slightly sugary, people will keep coming back.
You can sell by the roadside, near schools, or even take pre-orders for events. If frying outside isn’t your thing, offer home delivery. Many busy people love fresh homemade snacks but don’t have time to make them. Once your small chops gain a good reputation, you can start supplying to offices, schools, and even parties.
4. Data Reselling
In today’s digital world, having data is as essential as having food. From TikTok to WhatsApp, people need data to survive, and this is where you can make money. Many Nigerians don’t like buying directly from network providers because of their high charges. Instead, they prefer buying from vendors who offer discounts.
With ₦5,000, you can start a data reselling business. You simply register on a Virtual Top-Up (VTU) platform, buy data at a discounted rate, and sell at a profit. The beauty of this business is that you don’t need to leave your house. Everything is done on your phone.
You can make an easy ₦200–₦500 profit per transaction, and if you have just 10 customers daily, that’s an extra ₦5,000 in your pocket. Keep growing your customer base, and soon, you’ll be handling bulk orders.
5. Selling Okrika (Fairly Used Clothes)
Fashion never goes out of style, and in Nigeria, okirika (fairly used clothes) is one of the biggest money-making businesses. People love cheap but quality clothes, and if you can source stylish second-hand clothes, you will never lack customers.
With ₦5,000, you can buy a few trendy pieces, clean them up, iron them, and resell at a good price. Some people make ₦1,000 profit on a single item! Start by selling to students and young professionals who love fashion but can’t afford designer clothes.
You can sell online, at your workplace, or even from home. Once your business picks up, you can move to bigger things like buying bales and supplying retailers.
6. Freelance Writing
Many people think making money online is a myth, but let me tell you something—if you have a smartphone, an internet connection, and good English skills, you can start earning from the comfort of your home.
Freelance writing is one of the easiest businesses to start with little or no capital. Companies, blogs, and business owners are constantly looking for people to write articles, product descriptions, and social media content. You don’t need a degree in English or Mass Communication to start. As long as you can write well and express ideas clearly, you’re good to go.
There are several ways to get clients. You can register on freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour. If you don’t want to go through these platforms, you can market your services directly on social media; Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp are great places to start.
Some Nigerian business owners prefer hiring writers locally rather than paying in dollars. So, you can reach out to small businesses, offer them content creation services, and charge them a reasonable price. Imagine writing just three articles a day at ₦2,000 per article. That’s ₦6,000 daily, and in a month, you’d be making more than some people earning salaries.
The best part? Your earning potential is limitless, the more you write, the more you earn.
7. Egg Distribution
You might not have considered this before, but selling eggs is one of the easiest ways to make money with little capital. Think about it, almost every Nigerian household consumes eggs regularly. From akara sellers to food vendors, students, and even bachelors who just fry and eat, the demand is endless.
Instead of going through the stress of poultry farming, which requires a lot of money, you can become an egg distributor. The strategy is simple:
- Locate a poultry farm that sells eggs in bulk at a lower price.
- Buy a small crate of eggs (₦5,000 should get you started).
- Find customers—market women, restaurants, and individuals.
You don’t need a shop. You can start by supplying your neighbors or even delivering to offices. As your business grows, reinvest your profits, buy in larger quantities, and before you know it, you could be distributing eggs across your city.
One thing to note is that eggs are fragile, so packaging and handling are important. With proper care, this small investment can turn into a big-time business.
8. Selling Recharge Cards
Even though mobile banking has made airtime top-up easier, a large percentage of Nigerians still buy recharge cards from vendors. In rural areas and among non-tech-savvy individuals, people prefer the traditional method of loading airtime manually.
Starting a recharge card business requires little investment. With ₦5,000, you can purchase recharge card pins and resell them at a small profit. Each card you sell may only give you a profit of ₦20 to ₦50, but if you sell in bulk, the profits add up quickly.
You can start by selling to your friends, colleagues, and neighbors. As you grow, you can apply for bulk purchasing deals and distribute to smaller vendors. Some people make a full-time income from this business without even having a physical shop.
To take it further, you can also sell data bundles alongside recharge cards. Many people prefer buying data from individuals rather than through expensive network providers. With a good network of customers, you can earn thousands weekly from this simple business.
9. Home Cleaning Services
You might not like cleaning, but let me tell you something—people are willing to pay you to do it. With the busy lifestyle of many working-class Nigerians, there is a growing demand for home and office cleaning services.
This is one of the easiest businesses to start because you don’t need a shop, expensive equipment, or special skills. With basic cleaning supplies like detergent, disinfectant, a mop, and a brush, you’re good to go.
Start by offering your services to friends, families, and neighbors. Charge them a reasonable fee for cleaning their apartments, shops, or offices. If you are thorough and professional, they will refer you to others.
Many people underestimate this business, but some cleaning companies charge as high as ₦10,000 per cleaning session. If you build your reputation, you can increase your rates and even employ others to work for you.
10. Zobo and Kunu Drink Business
Nigeria’s weather is hot almost all year round, and people are always looking for something cold to drink. Instead of competing with big soft drink companies like Coke and Pepsi, why not make traditional drinks like zobo, kunu, and tiger nut milk?
With ₦5,000, you can buy hibiscus leaves, ginger, sugar, and bottles to start producing zobo in small quantities. The secret to making your business successful is packaging and taste. Nobody wants to buy drinks that look untidy or taste too watery.
Sell in busy areas like schools, offices, and market squares. You can also take advantage of WhatsApp and Instagram by delivering fresh drinks to customers' doorsteps. Once you get regular buyers, you can scale up and even start supplying supermarkets and restaurants.
Final Words
The truth is, many people complain about not having enough money, but when you look at their lifestyle, they spend thousands on things that don’t bring them any returns. Instead of waiting for a big capital that may never come, start small and grow.
Many people started with little or nothing and built multi-million naira businesses just by being consistent and reinvesting their profits. It’s not about how much you have right now; it’s about how smartly you use it. If you’re serious about making money, pick one of these businesses today and take action. Your financial future depends on what you do now.