Baban Bola: How Nigerians Make Money from Things You Throw Away

Yes, you heard me right! The same things you call trash, the same things you toss away without a second thought—some sharp Nigerians are using them to cash out big time.

And I know what you’re thinking: “How can someone possibly make money from waste? Trash na trash na!”

But my dear, in Nigeria, nothing is truly useless. If you don’t know how to turn waste into money, someone else does, and that person is probably making a living off what you dump without a second thought.

You see, the Nigerian economy is tough. The price of everything is going up—food, fuel, rent—but salaries are still crawling like a snail. People are looking for ways to survive, and one of those ways is finding value in what others throw away.

Let me take you through some amazing ways Nigerians are making money from things that you consider rubbish.

Plastic Waste

If you’ve ever bought pure water or bottled water, chances are you’ve seen people picking up the empty sachets or bottles from the ground, inside gutters, or around dumpsites. To you, that plastic bottle is useless, but to these smart hustlers, it’s money in disguise. Many of these plastic collectors start by gathering empty plastic bottles and sachets in large quantities.

It may look like a small business to outsiders, but those involved know how lucrative it can be. Once they have enough, they sell them to recycling companies that melt them down and turn them into new plastic products. Some creative entrepreneurs even go a step further and use plastic bottles to build things like eco-friendly houses, furniture, and even handbags.

In Lagos alone, companies buy plastic waste in bulk to repurpose it into new materials. Many local industries rely on these recycled plastics to manufacture items such as buckets, bowls, and chairs. Some businesses even turn plastic waste into durable interlocking bricks for roads and pavements. If you ever see a well-maintained pavement in some parts of Lagos, chances are that plastic waste was used in its construction.

Some individuals take this business even further by branding recycled plastic bottles and selling them as packaging for small businesses that produce drinks like zobo, kunu, and tiger nut milk. The money in plastic recycling is real, and those who understand the process are cashing out.

Old Tyres

If you’ve ever walked past a vulcanizer’s shop, you’ve probably seen piles of old, worn-out tyres stacked outside. To you, those tyres look useless, but do you know people make serious money from them? Some tyre collectors gather old tyres and sell them to people who use them for making furniture, swings, or decorations. In certain parts of Nigeria, people have turned old tyres into stylish chairs, tables, and even flower pots that sell for thousands of naira.

Some Nigerians, especially in rural areas, cut tyres into strips and use them to make cheap and durable slippers. If you’ve ever worn those "tough rubber slippers," you’re most likely walking on recycled tyres! This business doesn’t require much capital—just access to old tyres and some basic tools to cut and shape them.

It doesn’t stop there. Some Nigerians even use old tyres as fuel for burning bricks and baking bread in local bakeries. The rubber burns at a high temperature, making it an effective, though controversial, source of heat. In major cities, some artisans reshape old tyres into creative art pieces, which they sell to tourists or interior decorators. The tyre recycling business might seem strange, but it’s a booming industry for those who know how to make the most of it.

Scrap Metal

If you think iron, aluminum, or copper that has rusted and looks useless has no value, think again. The scrap metal business is one of the biggest money-making ventures in Nigeria, and it’s all about turning junk into profit. Scavengers, popularly known as “Baban bola” or “iron condemn” collectors, move around neighborhoods collecting old irons, spoons, cans, and anything made of metal. Many of them sell these metals to recycling plants, where they are melted down and turned into new products such as roofing sheets, aluminum pots, and car parts.

Some metalworkers buy scrap metals and use them to craft durable cooking stoves, which they sell at a good price. Others specialize in reselling old vehicle parts, including radiators, rims, and even engine components.

If you have an old generator, fridge, or broken-down car parts lying around, you’re sitting on money without knowing it. The scrap metal industry is particularly strong in cities like Lagos, Kano, and Onitsha, where industries and factories are constantly in need of recycled metals. The beauty of this business is that demand never runs out—metals are always needed for construction, manufacturing, and even repairs.

Old Newspapers and Books

You may think newspapers from last month or last year are completely useless, but let me tell you something—some people are cashing out from them! The demand for old newspapers is surprisingly high, especially among roadside food vendors and suya sellers who use them for packaging. Market women also rely on old newspapers to wrap perishable items like vegetables and fish.

Beyond packaging, old newspapers and books are highly sought after by paper recycling companies that turn them into fresh paper products, including toilet rolls and cartons. Some entrepreneurs buy old books, refurbish them, and resell them at second-hand bookstores. Even university students make money by selling their old textbooks to junior students at cheaper rates. This business doesn’t require much effort—if you have access to large amounts of old books and newspapers, you already have a source of income.

Used Clothes (Okrika)

You see that old shirt or trouser you no longer wear? That faded dress sitting in your wardrobe? Someone else is looking for it! Many Nigerians can’t afford brand-new clothes, so the Okrika (second-hand clothes) business is booming. Smart business people buy used clothes in bulk at cheap prices, wash and iron them to make them look brand new, and then resell them at a higher price.

Some tailors also buy old clothes to remake stylish outfits, while fashion designers use pieces from old clothes to create trendy new designs. Even in thrift markets, you will find traders who specialize in selling children’s second-hand clothes, which are always in high demand. The trick to making money from this business is cleanliness and good presentation. If the clothes look neat and attractive, customers will buy them without hesitation.

Old Electronics

Have you ever seen a roadside repairer fixing an old TV, radio, or fan? That’s money in action! Many Nigerians can’t afford brand-new electronics, so they look for cheap, fairly-used ones. Some repairers specialize in buying spoilt electronics, fixing them, and reselling them at a profit. Others extract valuable parts from old gadgets and use them to repair other devices.

Even the smallest parts of old electronics—like wires, screws, and casings—can be sold separately. The demand for spare parts is high, and those who know where to source them can make a fortune in this business. Many phone repairers in Computer Village, Ikeja, and other tech hubs rely on second-hand parts to fix customers’ devices.

Conclusion

Now you see that in Nigeria, waste is wealth. The things you casually throw away are another person’s means of survival. While some people complain about the economy, others are finding creative ways to make money from what people throw away.

The lesson here is simple: stop wasting things that can be recycled, resold, or repurposed. Think like a business person and identify value in what others ignore. Even if you don’t want to go into these businesses, don’t throw money away—sell your waste to those who need it!

So, next time you want to dispose of something, ask yourself one question—who can make money from this? Because trust me, somebody out there can.