Being a student in Nigeria is a tedious job that requires utmost concentration and, of course, bills to be paid. While you’re striving to get good grades, you can’t afford to go hungry, and this may bring you to consider starting a business to get some funds aside from your allowance, that is, if you get one.
Many of these business ideas require little to no initial investment, making them accessible to students. Even those that require a bit more capital are still within reach. Remember, it’s a high-risk, high-reward situation, and with the right approach, you can turn a small investment into a thriving business.
Unique Business ideas for students in Nigeria
Here are 20 Unique Business ideas for students in Nigeria:
1. Personal shopping
Listen, some students will go to any length to avoid extra stress aside from the ones they face in school already, and shopping is a tiring chore. This is where you come in – you can help students shop for items they need while adding a commission, which will be your profit.
If you’re conversant with local market shops and can bargain prices well, then consider setting up an errand business. All you need is good publicity and availability to pick up orders.
2. Freelancing
This is when you offer a service to diverse groups of people. No one employer owns you, and you can work with as many businesses or companies as you can, provided you’re efficient. There are various skills you can offer as a freelancer, which include writing, designing, curating video content and so on. You can offer any digital skills on freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Upwork and others.
3. Thrift fashion sales
Nigerian students may be broke, but they’d still slay! You can buy top-grade thrift clothes from wholesalers at a cheap price and then resell them to students like yourself.
To stand out, you can clean, iron and package the wear to appeal to your customer’s desires. You can also sell according to the weather and the calendar of the school. Jackets and hoodies during the rainy season, and party dresses at the end of the semester for dinner events. The call is yours!
4. Niche tailoring
It could be joggers, tote bags, crop tops, two-piece dresses or corsets. Master your craft, and very soon, you’ll be the go-to person for specific wear on your campus. Niche tailoring saves you the stress of drafting patterns for single projects and can also be taken in bulk orders.
5. Laundry Services
This is one of the most thriving businesses you can venture into as a student. With laundry, your customers are not limited to students alone but even the working class around you. You can offer to wash the clothes in their apartments or yours. Finish up with good ironing and excellent customer service, and you’ll be raking in cash consistently.
6. Cleaning Services
This business can take many forms. You can clean apartments at the beginning of semesters when students typically move into new hostels. Some of them will invite you to clean up their apartments on a weekly or monthly basis if you know your game. You can also meet with various offices and shops around you and offer to clean for them. You can easily do this in between classes or during weekends.
7. Hairstyling
With this business, your target audience is ladies. And the good thing about hairdressing is that you don’t require much equipment. With the basics, you can make almost every hairstyle.
Keep in touch with trends and spread the word about your skill, and you’ll soon have an endless cash flow.
8. Perfumes
This is a micro business that you can start with as little as #5,000.
Students despite being broke, love good things. You can source fragrant but affordable perfumes in mini containers like oils and testers that you can resell. One of the perks of this business is that it is always in demand.
So even if the profit is minimal, a recurring flow of sales will make it all add up in no time.
9. Drinks Selling
If you’re in an area with a regular supply of power, consider making refrigerated drinks like zobo, kunnu and soya milk. They’re an excellent alternative to soda and other branded drinks that are more expensive and less nutritional. They also cost little to start, but you must have a refrigerator to keep the drinks chilled.
10. Jewelries Selling
Just like perfumes, they’re always in demand and cost very little to start as well. You can also drop ship more expensive items from wholesalers around you.
11. E-commerce
E-commerce is basically owning a store online. You can easily set up a store to sell your products on various e-commerce platforms. This way, you can add the money meant to pay for a shop to your business.
Aside from e-commerce websites, you can also leverage social media like Instagram and Facebook marketplace to sell your products.
12. Small scale catering
This includes snacks like chinchin, cake, pastries, peanuts, meat pie and food like spaghetti and rice dishes. You can start by selling to your friends, and once you’ve established your game, you become the go-to person for meals and snacks on campus.
13. Graphic Designing
Graphic designing is a digital skill that will always sell. Approach businesses around you and offer to make designs for them to publicize their services and products. You can also sign up on freelancing platforms to sell your service and get paid in dollars.
14. Blogging
Do you have a flair for writing? Then, you can create one or write for existing blogs. You can do this alongside your schoolwork without interference.
15. Social media management
Suppose you’re savvy with social media and understand what’s what, then you should consider doing it for money. Rather than scrolling aimlessly on social media for nothing, you can get paid for it.
First, build up your own profile as proof that you know your onions.
Other businesses you can consider if you have enough capital include
16. Charging booth
Sadly, most institutions in Nigeria do not have a regular light supply. With a generator and charging ports, you can provide much-needed light to your fellow students.
They charge for their devices and pay you, and everyone is happy.
17. Luxury fashion sales
This includes wigs, footwear and clothing. With about #100,000, you can kickstart your luxury business and sell it to the big boys and girls on campus. Because not everyone is broke, and some students will pick luxury every single time.
18. POS service
The cash scarcity is still a big bother. With about #20,000, you can provide cash to students at a small charge. There are quite a number of payment devices that you can get for a low price, but even without those, you can exchange cash for transfers.
19. Device accessories
Ranging from chargers, earphones, batteries, screen guards etc, you’ll always have someone in need of new accessories for their devices. With a basic knowledge of how these appliances work, you can sell and install accessories for a fee.
20. Gas refilling
Students cook almost daily, and their gas will be finished at one point or another. If you have about #300,000 (I’m wondering how that’s possible, but let’s say your rich uncle remembers you), you can set up a gas refilling station at the heart of students’ residences and make cool, steady money. You should, however, get trained before operating the station to avoid hazards.
Read more:
- Â 12 Best Tips on How To Open A Profitable Cosmetics Skincare Business
- How to start selling handmade products online and make profit without stress
How to Balance between school and business
Running a business is challenging and even more tricky for a Nigerian student. Here are a few tips that can help you out
- Strike a balance between your business and school. Money must be made, but not to the detriment of your studies.
- Set realistic goals for your business
- Leverage social media to promote your business
- Save your profits to keep your business moving
Read more:Â 7 Ways to Successfully Transit Your Business to Remote Work
How to start a business in Nigeria as a student
Listen up, future moguls! It may seem impossible to start a business in Nigeria as a student, but it is possible. Here’s a no-nonsense guide on how to start your hustle:
1. Find your niche
What are your strengths? What drives you? It’s crucial to choose a business that you are not just interested in, but passionate about. There’s no point in selling perfumes that you don’t like.
2. Do your homework
Before you dive in, take a good look around. Who is your competition? What do students want to spend their allowances on? Market research is not just helpful, it’s essential.
3. Dream big, but start small
Start-up costs are not high. Remember those business concepts we discussed? Some of these ideas can be started with just a few thousand naira. Start with your existing skills and smartphone.
4. Spread the word
If you are not online in today’s society, then you do not exist. Create social media accounts to promote your business. Use Instagram, WhatsApp status and Twitter. Don’t forget the good old word-of-mouth. Share your notes with your roommates, classmates and even the guy who steals them.
5. Manage your time as a professional
You’re a student first and an entrepreneur second. Stick to your schedule. You could dedicate an hour to business after class or weekends to your hustle. Whatever you do, don’t let your grades suffer.
6. Keep it legal
Yes, yes, I do know that this is boring. You don’t want to be in trouble with the law. Get any permits or registrations sorted. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
7. Track your money
Keep track of each kobo, even if your income is only a few thousand naira. Keep track of what you’re making and spending. This is good practice when you run a multi-million Naira empire.
8. Learn from your mistakes
It’s inevitable that you will mess up. This is part of the fun. It’s important to learn and improve next time. Each failure is a step towards success.
9. Network, network
Today’s classmates could become your customers or business partners tomorrow. Attend events, join student entrepreneur groups, and make connections. You never know when your next big break will come.
10. Enjoy yourself!
Enjoy the ride, and last but not least! It’s hard but also thrilling to start a business while you are a student. You learn skills you can’t get from a textbook. You’ll also be earning money while your friends are spending it. What a cool idea!
Read more: 10 Executive ways to Start your Own company While Unemployed
Conclusion
Remember, every big business started small. Who knows? Your little campus hustle could be the next big thing in Nigeria. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start building your empire! The sky’s the limit.
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