7 Practical Methods to Make Money in Nigeria As a Broke Youth with No Startup Capital

 

Hi guys, its really been a while, I hope you guys are doing great? Today, I want us to take a look at an interesting topic; how a broke Nigerian youth can make money without capital?

You know, its not easy to start any business without capital, but its still doable, and I will be showing you how to do just that in this article. Remember, like always, we are going to be very practical, so pay attention and I promise you that by the time you are done reading this article, you will be excited to startup your own profitable business from scratch without breaking the bank.

If you’re starting with zero capital in Nigeria, you’re basically trading what you do have — time, skills, creativity, network — instead of money. The goal is to start small, build credibility, and then reinvest profits.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of ways a broke Nigerian youth can make money without capital:

1. Sell Skills You Already Have

Freelancing online: Offer services on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn (writing, graphic design, voiceover, social media management, virtual assistance, translation).

Nigeria-specific options: Use WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook groups to get clients locally.

Example: If you can type fast, offer CV writing or transcription.

Capital needed: ₦0 (just data).

2. Information Brokering (Middleman Model)

Connect buyers and sellers without owning the product.

Example: Find someone selling sneakers in your area → add your profit margin → sell to your contacts via WhatsApp Status. If you don't know where to find people selling products to resell to your contacts, then head straight to: jiji.ng and even Facebook.

This method works for clothes, shoes, wrist watches, food, electronics, or even small appliances.

You get paid first before you buy from the supplier (a.k.a. drop-shipping, but offline).

3. Content Creation

TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts: Create short videos on trending topics, tutorials, or comedy.

Start with your phone camera. All you need is your phone, a portable video making kit which comes with a LED light, mic, tripod stand, and phone holder. Check out one here.

You can monetize your videos later via sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or AdSense.

Nigeria tip: Even without AdSense, you can make money promoting small Nigerian brands to your audience.

4. Teach or Coach People

If you know something others want to learn (how to use Microsoft Excel, how to cook certain Nigerian or foreign dishes, English, coding basics, music or how to use music instruments like keyboard, guitar, etc), run paid online or offline classes. You can start free on WhatsApp, then charge later. Remember, people pay more for personalized help than for just information.

5. Street-Level Side Hustles

Offer errand services (help people go to bank to pay bills, shop for busy people, pick up laundry, etc). You might think people don't need this services until you give it a try.

I know a guy that makes money by helping people to set up phones, apps, or social media accounts. Currently he now have a phone repair shop where he also sells mobile phone accessories and you need to see how busy this guy's shop is around evening time when people have returned from work.

Help people wash cars, polish shoes, or clean offices/houses on weekends.

6. Leverage Your Network for Micro-jobs

Many small businesses need flyer distribution, product photography, WhatsApp marketing, or sales reps for a day. Check Jobberman, Jiji, and local Facebook groups for these gigs. Payment is often same-day. I have patronized one or two guys who contacted me for this kind of services, so you too can start it.

7. Digital Reselling

Join affiliate programs like Jumia/Konga Affiliate or Selar (for digital products). Share product links; you earn a commission on every sale. You don’t handle inventory, just marketing. You can even approach big shops in the market and offer to help them promote their products outside their shops....Igbo people call this "igba oso ahia" hahaha and those guys make a lot of money, sometimes more money than those that own shops in the market.

Now, go and give some of these a trial and come back. I will be drawing a 30-day action plan to help broke Nigerian guys start making money without capital, the action plan will help you make your first NGN50,000 in the next 30 days. If you are interested in this, kindly drop a comment and also share this post and make sure you visit frankwealth.com on regular basis for more practical tips on how to make money as a broke Nigerian youth.

Remember, the key survival rules are:

Start with one method and get good at it before diversifying.

Build trust — in Nigeria, trust is currency.

Use free learning resources (YouTube, Coursera, free ebooks) to upgrade your skills.

Reinvest your first earnings into better tools (data, phone, branding).