These days, every nook and cranny of Nigeria seem to have a POS kiosk waiting for customers. But do you know that there are other lucrative businesses you can do around your neighbourhood? Businesses like these offer unique opportunities despite the obvious challenge of limited population.
However, the most important thing is to gain a business idea that meets a current demand with a great product or service. A neighbourhood usually has a small population. This means you should also consider choosing the right location to optimise your traffic whether the business is product-based or service-based or both.
For inspiration, here are the top 7 businesses you can do in your neighbourhood, especially in present-day Nigeria.
7 businesses you can do in your neighbourhood
1. Cleaning business

Nigerians are experiencing hard times, thanks to the terrible economy that has burdened the country. This implies that they have to hustle twice as hard to makes ends meet. In other words, many rarely have time to do chores like house or office cleaning.
Therefore, cleaning business is a great business idea you should consider especially if you live around an upper-middle class neighbourhood. This is a great opportunity to make serious money by offering your services as a house or office cleaner with little capital to purchase your basic equipment. Over time, you can employ more hands as you grow in the business.
ALSO READ: How to start home-based catering business in Nigeria
2. Restaurant business
Food business is one of the best ways to make money anywhere in Nigeria and beyond. However, it is tempting to copy that friend of yours that found success in their mama put food business. Remember, your business is located in your neighbourhood and therefore, you should focus on what your potential customers need but cannot easily have.
For instance, a mama put joint may not work well in your neighbourhood. But a boli (roasted plantain) and fish sauce restaurant or joint can be a hit. It can be because people living in your neighbourhood are crazy about it but have to move to a far location to get it. Now, that you have brought the menu to their doorstep, they are going to “descend” on your business and fill your bank account.
3. Wine and liquor shop

Wine and liquor shop is one of the best retail businesses to have in any strong neighbourhood. If you live outside Nigeria, you should first check the laws about owning a wine and liquor shop before proceeding to open one. In Nigeria, having a liquor shop is not a crime as long as you are not living in some Northern states where the Sharia laws are enforced.
Again, consider the need of your neighbourhood. Do they have a preference for a particular brand? Make that available. You can even open a mini bar or lounge in the process and serve some snacks along with some glasses of drinks.
4. Laundry business

Laundry business has been a lucrative neighbourhood business in Nigeria for a long time. Again, the economy is biting everyone but many prefer to channel their energy towards earning a living and rarely have time for housework. Therefore, take this opportunity and offer your services to wash their clothes for them for a fee.
You can begin by doing door-to-door marketing and taking laundry orders from family and friends. Even if you do not have money for a washing machine, you should still be able to use your hands until you can afford one. All you need are basic washing supplies like your detergent, soaps, and clean water supply. See, you can start a laundry business from the comfort of your home with just a little investment.
ALSO READ: How to start online food business in Nigeria
5. Event planning

Nigerians love to party. No matter how bad the economy is, there are high chances that your neighbour will throw a party to celebrate one thing or the other. Celebrations include birthdays, weddings, burials, housewarming, homecoming, child dedication and lots more.
These celebrations are usually done in a neighbourhood. So, this is a great opportunity for you to start an event planning business, especially if you live in a neighbourhood where they constantly party. Again, create a flyer and do door-to-door marketing, telling your neighbours about what you are offering. Someone will definitely want to try your services if you remain consistent. It just takes doing a great work for one person to open up a flood of requests from others.
6. Sports viewing and betting centre

Sports betting is one of the most lucrative businesses where you can rake in millions of money regularly. There are many betting platforms in Nigeria which is why there are many betting shops everywhere.
Before sports betting, there were the sports viewing centres where sports lovers, particularly football, go to watch their favourite teams play. If you live in a neighbourhood where people do not have have easy access to watch football matches like the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga and other prestigious tournaments in the world, this is a great opportunity to open a viewing centre. It will even make more sense to have a betting centre so that customers can place their bets and watch the games at the same time.
7. Palm oil business

Generally, foodstuff business is one of the most lucrative neighbourhood businesses in Nigeria. Concentrating in one foodstuff business is even more lucrative. Introducing palm oil business which can make you a successful business person if you know what you are doing.
You can start this business from home as well. All you need to do is buy palm oil cheaply when the palm kernel dries from February to April. Store it until July, its peak season, when its demand is expected to increase. Then begin selling your stored product during the high demand period when you can make a significant profit of about 50% to 60%.
Conclusion
These are the 7 businesses, among countless others, you can start in your neighbourhood. Some of these businesses do not require a lot of capital. However, you need to be hardworking and consistent to get the desired result. Choose one business and start today.
ALSO READ: How to start home-based catering business in Nigeria