In a small town in Ogun State, Nigeria, Tunde sat under the mango tree, wondering how to make his next move. He had just graduated from university and was desperate to start something—anything—to earn money. However, he only had N50,000, which is less than $100, and wasn’t sure what to do with it. But one thing was clear: he couldn’t wait for a white-collar job.

Tunde had heard stories of successful small business owners who started with little and scaled their businesses to unimaginable heights. So, he decided to explore options that aligned with the Nigerian economy and his small budget. He discovered that starting a business with less than $100 was not just possible but could be quite lucrative if done smartly. Let’s explore some of those options.

1. Tomato Farming:

In the arid outskirts of Kaduna, Ijeoma invested in a small tomato farm. With only N40,000, she was able to buy seeds, fertilizers, and basic farming tools. Within three months, her tomatoes were ready for harvest, and she sold them at the local market, earning over N80,000. The key to her success was timing—she planted just before the rainy season when tomatoes were scarce.

Steps:

1. Identify a small piece of land (either lease or family-owned).
2. Purchase high-yield tomato seeds and organic fertilizers.
3. Utilize simple irrigation techniques like watering cans.
4. Time your planting for off-peak seasons to get higher market prices.

2. Mobile Car Wash Business:

With traffic growing in major cities like Lagos, car owners need a quick way to clean their cars. For less than N50,000, Kola started a mobile car wash service, investing in a few buckets, detergents, and water hoses. He targeted office complexes and estates, washing cars for busy professionals.

Steps:

1. Purchase basic car washing tools like detergents, sponges, and towels.
2. Use a bike or even a small cart to carry your materials.
3. Offer services in high-traffic areas like offices or estates.
4. Offer discounts for regular customers to build loyalty.

3. Small-Scale Soap Production:

Funke, a chemistry student in Ibadan, decided to start making homemade soaps. With less than N30,000, she bought ingredients like sodium hydroxide, palm oil, and essential oils. After some online research and watching a few YouTube videos, she started making and selling her soaps to neighbors.

Steps:

1. Research simple soap-making techniques.
2. Purchase inexpensive materials like oils, lye, and fragrances.
3. Start small by selling to your family, friends, and neighbors.
4. Expand by offering to small stores or online.

4. Plantain Chips Production:

Yusuf, a student at the University of Ilorin, realized that Nigerians love snacks, particularly plantain chips. With less than N20,000, he started a plantain chip business, buying raw plantains, vegetable oil, and transparent nylon bags for packaging. He supplied local stores, and within weeks, his business took off.

Steps:

1. Buy a few bunches of ripe or unripe plantains, depending on your market.
2. Use basic kitchen tools like knives and frying pans.
3. Package the chips in transparent nylon and supply to shops or sell directly.
4. Advertise through social media to attract more customers.

5. Reselling Data and Airtime:

In this digital age, everyone needs data and airtime. Emmanuel saw an opportunity here and started reselling data bundles and airtime from telecom providers like MTN, Glo, and Airtel. He invested N30,000 to buy bulk data and sold it for a small profit to friends and neighbors.

Steps:

1. Sign up as an agent with telecom providers.
2. Use your mobile phone or a small laptop to sell data and airtime.
3. Promote your business on WhatsApp or social media.
4. Offer a discount for bulk purchases to attract more customers.

6. Dropshipping Business:

Sade, who lives in Lagos, started an online business without owning any inventory. She partnered with wholesalers, promoting their products online through social media. Whenever someone ordered, she took a commission and the supplier shipped the item directly to the customer. Sade started with less than N15,000 and now earns more than N200,000 monthly.

Steps:

1. Identify a product niche (e.g., fashion, tech gadgets).
2. Partner with suppliers who are willing to dropship.
3. Promote their products through social media or a small e-commerce site.
4. When you receive orders, pay the supplier and keep your profit margin.

7. Recharge Card Printing:

Grace, living in Abuja, noticed that people around her always needed recharge cards. With less than N50,000, she bought software for printing recharge cards. She started supplying local kiosks and making a steady income.

Steps:

1. Purchase recharge card printing software.
2. Buy a small printer and blank cards.
3. Print and distribute recharge cards to local vendors.
4. Start small, and grow as demand increases.

8. Snail Farming:

In Osun State, Bola started a snail farm with N30,000, buying snails and creating a small, contained environment in her backyard. Snails reproduce quickly, and within months, Bola had more snails than she could handle. She sold them to restaurants and local markets, quickly scaling her business.

Steps:

1. Build a small pen in your backyard with a wooden or concrete enclosure.
2. Buy some snails from the market to start with.
3. Feed them with simple vegetables like leaves and fruits.
4. Sell them at local markets or to food vendors.

9. Blogging/Vlogging:

Aisha, living in Kano, was passionate about cooking and started a food blog with less than N15,000, using free blogging platforms. She shared recipes, cooking tips, and food photography. Within a year, her blog gained a following, and she started earning through ads and sponsored content.

Steps:

1. Choose a niche for your blog (e.g., fashion, tech, cooking).
2. Set up a free or low-cost blog using platforms like WordPress.
3. Write content consistently and share it on social media.
4. Monetize your blog through ads, affiliate marketing, or sponsored posts.

10. Tutoring Services:

Akin, a final-year student in Lagos, started offering tutoring services to secondary school students in subjects like Mathematics and Physics. With just N10,000, he created fliers and spread the word in his community. Now, Akin has a steady stream of students and is making good money while helping others.

Steps:

1. Identify subjects or skills you are good at.
2. Advertise your services through posters, social media, or word of mouth.
3. Offer home lessons or virtual lessons via platforms like Zoom.
4. Build trust with parents and offer affordable rates to get more clients.

With less than N30,000, Adebayo started a small poultry farm, buying a few chicks and basic supplies. He raised them in his backyard, and within a few months, they were ready to be sold to restaurants and neighbors. Poultry farming is one of the most popular and profitable businesses in Nigeria.

Steps:

1. Build a simple cage or use part of your backyard.
2. Buy a few chicks and feed them with affordable poultry feed.
3. Ensure proper sanitation to keep the birds healthy.
4. Sell your chickens or eggs at local markets or restaurants.

12. Perfume Oil Sales:

Nneka noticed that perfume oils were in high demand among students in Enugu. With N20,000, she bought a small stock of popular perfume oils and sold them to friends, neighbors, and online customers. This business requires little investment but can yield high profits.

Steps:

1. Research trending perfume oils in your area.
2. Buy small quantities from wholesalers or suppliers.
3. Promote your products on WhatsApp, Instagram, and in person.
4. Deliver to customers or partner with delivery services.

13. Freelance Writing:

With access to a smartphone or laptop, Ibrahim started offering freelance writing services. He wrote blog posts, articles, and even academic papers for small businesses and students. His initial investment was N5,000 for internet data and some promotional materials.

Steps:

1. Set up a profile on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.
2. Offer content writing, copywriting, or proofreading services.
3. Start small by writing for friends or local businesses.
4. Promote your services through social media and grow your client base.

14. Fish Farming:

Musa, a resident of Lokoja, invested N40,000 in a small fish farm. He built a small pond in his backyard and bought fingerlings (young fish). Within months, he was able to harvest the fish and sell them to local food vendors and restaurants.

Steps:

1. Build or buy a small pond for fish farming.
2. Purchase fingerlings and fish feed.
3. Provide good water and feeding conditions for growth.
4. Sell the mature fish to local markets or restaurants.

15. Thrift (Okrika) Clothing Business:

Grace found that people in her neighborhood preferred buying affordable thrift clothes. With N30,000, she bought a bale of second-hand clothes (Okrika) from Lagos Island market. She cleaned and resold the clothes at a higher price, making a decent profit.

Steps:

1. Identify a supplier of second-hand clothing.
2. Buy a bale of clothes at affordable rates.
3. Wash and mend any damages before reselling.
4. Sell directly to customers or supply local markets.

16. Phone Accessories Business:

Chinedu from Aba noticed a high demand for phone accessories such as chargers, screen guards, and earphones. He started selling these accessories with N25,000 capital. He used social media to promote his business and made deliveries to customers in his area.

Steps:

1. Buy phone accessories in bulk from trusted suppliers.
2. Start by selling to friends and neighbors.
3. Expand by promoting on WhatsApp and Instagram.
4. Offer affordable delivery services to reach more customers.

17. Candle Making:

Olu from Osogbo began making candles when he realized that his community faced frequent power outages. With N15,000, he bought the raw materials needed for candle-making. He quickly found customers among his neighbors and local shops.

Steps:

1. Purchase candle-making supplies like wax and molds.
2. Learn basic candle-making techniques through online tutorials.
3. Start selling your candles to shops or through word-of-mouth.
4. Expand to selling scented candles for higher profits.

18. Event Ushering Services:

With no more than N10,000 for business cards and promotional materials, Joy started an event ushering service in Abuja. She gathered a few friends and formed a team that catered to small events and weddings. Over time, she grew her client base by working with event planners.

Steps:

1. Gather a small team of reliable individuals.
2. Create flyers and business cards for promotion.
3. Network with event planners and wedding coordinators.
4. Offer competitive prices and excellent customer service.

19. Pastry Baking:

Yemi, a resident of Ibadan, had a knack for baking. She invested N20,000 in ingredients and started making snacks like meat pies, doughnuts, and cakes. She supplied her goods to schools, offices, and local stores, quickly growing her clientele.

Steps:

1. Buy basic baking ingredients like flour, sugar, and butter.
2. Use your kitchen to bake small batches of pastries.
3. Supply your products to local stores or sell directly.
4. Advertise through word-of-mouth or on social media.

20. Photography:

Kunle from Port Harcourt always had a passion for photography. With N50,000, he bought a used camera and started taking pictures at local events like birthday parties, weddings, and graduations. With time, he gained a reputation for capturing great moments and was able to charge higher fees.

Steps:

1. Invest in a used or affordable camera.
2. Offer free or low-cost services to build your portfolio.
3. Use social media to showcase your work.
4. Network at events and with event planners to get more gigs.

21. Graphics Design:

Fola from Lagos turned his love for design into a money-making venture. With his laptop and N10,000 for software subscriptions and internet data, he began offering graphic design services to small businesses. He designed flyers, logos, and social media content.

Steps:

1. Learn basic graphic design skills through online tutorials.
2. Use free or affordable design software like Canva or GIMP.
3. Start designing for small businesses or influencers.
4. Grow your portfolio and charge higher rates as you gain more clients.

22. Hair Braiding:

Amaka started offering hair braiding services with N5,000. She bought basic hair products and tools, offering home services to friends and neighbors. Her unique designs and affordable prices helped her build a steady clientele.

Steps:

1. Purchase basic tools like combs, hair extensions, and gel.
2. Start by braiding for friends, family, or neighbors.
3. Promote your skills through social media or word-of-mouth.
4. Offer home services for convenience and charge slightly higher prices.

23. Small-Scale Cleaning Services:

When Femi noticed a need for home and office cleaning in his community, he started a small-scale cleaning service with N15,000. He bought cleaning supplies and offered affordable services to local homes and businesses.

Steps:

1. Purchase cleaning supplies like detergents, mops, and brushes.
2. Offer cleaning services to homes, offices, and small businesses.
3. Promote your services through flyers or social media.
4. Build trust with your clients for repeat business.

24. Local Beverage Production (Zobo, Kunu):

Chinelo from Onitsha started making and selling local drinks like zobo and kunu with just N10,000. She sourced ingredients from the local market and sold her beverages in plastic bottles to schools, offices, and at events.

Steps:

1. Buy ingredients like hibiscus leaves, ginger, and sugar.
2. Use your kitchen to make the beverages in small batches.
3. Package in plastic bottles and sell in your neighborhood or at events.
4. Grow your business by supplying to local shops or offices.

25. Shoe and Bag Repair:

Ahmed from Lagos started a shoe and bag repair business with N20,000. He bought basic tools and began offering repair services for shoes, bags, and belts. His affordable prices attracted students, market women, and workers.

Steps:

1. Learn basic shoe and bag repair skills.
2. Purchase affordable tools like hammers, needles, and thread.
3. Offer your services at local markets or near schools.
4. Grow your business by taking on larger repair jobs.

26. Digital Marketing Services:

Ngozi started offering digital marketing services with N10,000, using her smartphone and internet access. She helped small businesses manage their social media accounts, run ads, and improve their online presence.

Steps:

1. Learn digital marketing basics through online courses.
2. Offer social media management and content creation to small businesses.
3. Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to promote your services.
4. Grow your clientele by offering excellent service and competitive rates.

27. Foodstuff Sales:

With N30,000, Abdul started selling foodstuffs like rice, beans, and garri in his neighborhood in Kano. He bought the foodstuffs in bulk and repackaged them in smaller portions, selling to local residents.

Steps:

1. Buy foodstuffs in bulk from wholesalers.
2. Repackage them in smaller, affordable portions.
3. Sell directly to customers or supply local shops.
4. Promote your business through word-of-mouth and local fliers.

28. Social Media Influencing:

Joy started sharing her fashion and beauty tips on Instagram with just N5,000 for internet data. Over time, she gained followers and brands began to pay her to promote their products. This business requires no initial capital if you already have a smartphone.

Steps:

1. Choose a niche you are passionate about (fashion, fitness, etc.).
2. Post consistent and engaging content on platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
3. Build your followers through engagement and collaborations.
4. Approach brands or wait for them to reach out for promotions.

29. Selling Second-Hand Books:

Chigozie from Benin started selling second-hand books with N10,000. He bought used books from people in his community and resold them to students and avid readers at a profit.

Steps:

1. Buy used books from friends, neighbors, or second-hand sellers.
2. Repackage or clean them up for resale.
3. Sell to students, book clubs, or online platforms.
4. Build a small library of books for continuous sales.

30. Barbing Salon:

Tayo from Lagos started offering home haircuts with N20,000 for basic tools like clippers and combs. He offered affordable services to friends, neighbors, and eventually expanded to setting up a small barbing station in his neighborhood.

Steps:

1. Purchase basic barbering tools like clippers and scissors.
2. Start by offering home service to friends and neighbors.
3. Build a reputation for good service at affordable rates.
4. Expand to a rented space or continue with mobile services.

Conclusion

Starting a business with less than $100 in Nigeria is achievable, even in the face of financial challenges. With creativity, a clear focus on needs within your environment, and careful budgeting, you can turn a small amount into a thriving enterprise. Whether it’s reselling data, farming snails, or offering tutoring services, the key is to start now, scale slowly, and remain consistent.