With the rising costs and economic challenges going on in Nigeria in 2024, many people are looking for ways to make extra income. One of the best ways to do this is by selling things online. With digital platforms, you can reach a large audience, offer your products and services, and get paid without ever leaving your house, which cuts off overhead costs accrued by setting up a physical store. But with so many options, you might be wondering, what is the best thing to sell online in Nigeria?

In this guide, we will share a list of profitable products or services with the most potential to bring in profit in 2024, as seen on our platform. Let’s get into it. 

First, why sell products online in Nigeria? 

Nigeria’s economy has seen its fair share of challenges—rising inflation, increasing fuel prices, and a higher cost of living. As things get more expensive, more Nigerians are exploring ways to make money outside of traditional 9-to-5 jobs. Selling online offers an accessible and flexible way to earn, as you can do it from anywhere and choose what to sell based on your skills, passion, or demand.

Here are five reasons why selling products online in Nigeria in 2024 is a great idea:

1. Selling products online has low startup costs: This is the most exciting reason to start an online business. While you need a large initial investment to get started, many platforms, like Selar, allow you to list products or services for free or with minimal fees.
2. Selling products online gives you a wider reach: With over 100 million internet users in Nigeria, you can sell to anyone nationwide and even beyond. The potential market is huge, especially if you know how to target your audience properly.
3. The convenience is great: You can run your online business from anywhere, at any time. Whether it’s your side hustle or a full-time gig, it offers flexibility that physical stores cannot.
4. Online ventures are more likely to scale: Selling online makes it easier to grow your business. You can start with a few products and expand as demand grows, without worrying about renting a bigger space.
5. Creating an online business gives you multiple income streams: You’re not limited to one thing. You can diversify by selling physical goods, digital products, and services, or even promoting other people’s products through affiliate marketing. 

8 most profitable things to sell online in Nigeria in 2024

Now that you know the benefits of selling online, let’s explore eight of the most profitable things you can sell in Nigeria this year.

1. Digital products

Digital products are an excellent way to make money online, especially if you have knowledge or skills that others want to learn. Think about selling online courses, eBooks, templates, or even design assets. The beauty of digital products is that once you create them, they can be sold over and over again without any additional costs. Plus, there’s no need for inventory or shipping.

This market has been growing in Nigeria, with more people seeking educational content, skill-building courses, and digital tools to help their careers or businesses. If you’re an expert in any field—whether it’s graphic design, coding, or even fashion—you can create a digital product that solves a problem for your audience and sell it online.

A great example of this is Olanrewaju Akintobi, who has successfully used Selar to simplify agricultural education. Olanrewaju, a seasoned agricultural consultant, created practical courses about agriculture for students and aspiring farmers. He developed a range of digital products, including eBooks and video tutorials, to teach others about modern farming techniques. Through Selar, he’s been able to reach a wider audience and help more Nigerians learn valuable agricultural skills from the comfort of their homes, all while earning money by selling his courses. This shows the potential digital products have, especially in niche areas like agriculture, where education is in high demand but not always easily accessible.

Read: Olanrewaju Akintobi Is Using Selar To Simplify Agricultural Education

2. Food

Food is an evergreen product, especially in a country like Nigeria. Online food businesses, including homemade snacks, pastries, meal prep services, and even speciality products like organic food, have become quite popular.

You can sell cooked meals, raw ingredients that are hard to find, or even partner with local farmers to supply fresh produce. Food is one of the most profitable things to sell online in Nigeria, particularly if you can offer delivery services in major cities.

Look at Fareedah Abdulsalaam, who has built a thriving business using Selar. Fareedah, a culinary expert, started her creator journey by sharing delicious recipes and tips for preparing healthy meals. She turned her passion into a business by offering catering services through her online platform. By leveraging digital strategies, Fareedah has been able to grow her brand, manage her orders, and reach a larger audience who appreciate her unique approach to healthy and delicious meals. Her journey shows how entrepreneurs can use online platforms to offer catering services and connect with customers, especially in a country like Nigeria, where food is always in high demand.

Read: Combining Digital Strategies and Delicious Recipes: Fareedah Abdulsalaam’s Creator Journey

3. Fashion products

Fashion never goes out of style. Nigerians love their fashion, and selling clothing, shoes, accessories, or even local fabrics like Ankara and Aso-Oke can be very lucrative. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram, it’s easier than ever to showcase your designs or collections to potential buyers. Brands like Dye Lab, Shop Riran, and Shop Bawsty are making waves in the Nigerian fashion space.

Dye Lab, a small-batch production brand founded by Rukky Ladoja in 2021, specializes in modern interpretations of traditional Yoruba dyeing techniques like Adire and Aso Oke, creating elegant, minimalistic silhouettes. Their commitment to using locally sourced materials and sustainable production techniques gives them a unique edge in the Nigerian fashion industry​. 

Riran focuses on well-crafted, high-quality pieces that combine comfort with style. Their Instagram features a collection of affordable and fashionable clothing that appeals to a younger, fashion-forward audience.

Bawsty, on the other hand, stands out for its bold, luxury fashion offerings, perfect for anyone looking for statement pieces that make them stand out at events. They also make clothes, especially for busty women. All three brands have stood out lately in Nigeria for their unique edge. 

So the key to succeeding in online fashion in Nigeria is finding a niche like these brands have done. Whether you’re into casual everyday wear, bridal accessories, or luxury pieces for special occasions, there’s a booming market for well-curated fashion products online. By focusing on quality and building a strong brand presence, you can attract loyal customers and thrive in our vibrant fashion industry.

4. Health and beauty products

Health and beauty products have seen massive growth in Nigeria, especially with the increasing interest in skincare, makeup, and wellness. From organic skincare products to fitness supplements and essential oils, Nigerians are constantly searching for ways to enhance their health and appearance.

Take Beauty Hut Africa for instance, which has built a thriving community and culture around its brand. They don’t just sell beauty products; they create a lifestyle experience for their customers. By fostering a strong sense of trust, engaging with customers online, and offering high-quality products, Beauty Hut Africa has cultivated loyal followers who rely on their brand for skincare, beauty tips, and wellness advice. Their approach goes beyond selling—it’s about connecting with customers on a personal level, sharing insights, and building a brand that people feel proud to support.

The key to success in this space is trust. Whether you’re creating your own line of beauty products or becoming a distributor for established brands, it’s important to build a reliable and engaging online presence. Customer reviews, transparency about ingredients, and consistent communication can go a long way in establishing credibility, just as Beauty Hut Africa has demonstrated.

5. Laptop and mobile phone accessories

With the rise of remote work, online schooling, and content creation, there’s an increasing demand for tech accessories. Items like phone chargers, laptop stands, earphones, screen protectors, and other accessories are in high demand. The good thing about selling tech accessories is that they’re lightweight, easy to ship, and can be sold at a good markup.

One effective way to break into this market is through affiliate marketing, which lets you sell tech accessories and other products without holding any inventory. By promoting products from reliable suppliers, you earn a commission for each sale made through your referral.

Selar’s Affiliate network offers a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in affiliate marketing. With a wide range of digital and physical products, including tech accessories, at low costs and high commission rates, Selar makes it easy to start earning. We have several resources that make promotion easy, catering to the needs of a growing online audience. Plus, with our user-friendly interface, the process of joining, promoting, and tracking your affiliate sales is super simple.

6. Hair products

Hair is big business in Nigeria and hair, like fashion doesn’t go out of style. Products like wigs, weaves, natural hair products, and styling tools are in constant demand, making this a highly profitable category to explore. For example, BeNaturalGirl creates lab-grown hair for all kinds of women, offering a wide range of styles from curly to bob, straight to afro-textured wigs. Their products cater to diverse needs, providing options for women looking to switch up their looks or find protective hairstyles. 

Beyond selling wigs and weaves, you can also tap into the digital side of the hair care industry. Creating digital products like hair care tutorials, eBooks on maintaining natural hair, or even courses on DIY wig-making can provide valuable knowledge to your audience while generating passive income for you. People are always looking for solutions to hair care issues—whether it’s advice on moisturizing natural hair, how to style protective hairstyles, or maintaining synthetic or human hair wigs.

By combining physical hair products with digital resources, you can build a well-rounded business that offers both products and education, positioning yourself as an expert in the hair care space. This strategy not only helps you reach a larger audience but also establishes trust and credibility, making your brand more appealing to customers seeking both quality hair and reliable advice.

Read: How to Become a Beauty Content Creator

7. Freelance skills

Selling your skills online is one of the fastest ways to start making money. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Selar allow you to offer freelance services like writing, graphic design, programming, social media management, or virtual assistance.

With Nigeria’s economy shifting towards more remote and gig work, the demand for skilled freelancers is on the rise. If you have a skill people are willing to pay for, you can offer it as a service and earn it from the comfort of your home. These platforms serve as marketplaces where freelancers can showcase their expertise and connect with clients globally, making it easier for Nigerians to break into the freelance economy.

With Nigeria’s economy shifting more towards remote and gig work, the demand for skilled freelancers is rapidly increasing. The rise of startups, digital marketing, and tech businesses across the country has opened up opportunities for Nigerians with various skill sets. Whether you’re a writer, a web developer, or a graphic designer, if you have a skill people are willing to pay for, you can turn it into a steady source of income.

For instance, Selar gives you the flexibility to sell digital products or combine your freelance services with other revenue streams. If you’re a graphic designer, you can sell ready-made templates or logos, while also offering custom design services or if you’re a writer, you can offer writing courses or create eBooks for sale alongside your freelance projects. The beauty of freelancing is that it allows you to work from the comfort of your home, at your own pace, while still reaching clients globally.

And, you don’t need to be an expert in everything to get started.

8. Affiliate marketing

If you don’t have your own product to sell, affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to earn money online. This involves promoting other people’s products and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral link. Platforms like Selar make this process easy and rewarding. With Selar’s affiliate program, you can earn high commissions on a variety of digital products, such as online courses and eBooks. Plus, one of our standout features is the quick payback system, which means you receive your earnings without unnecessary delays.

Selar also equips you with effective resources to help you market these products. You’ll get access to banners and content that make it simple to engage your audience and build trust. The flexibility of affiliate marketing allows you to work on your own schedule, whether you’re looking for part-time income or aiming to develop a fully online business. 

Now, you choose

Now you get to decide what you’d like to sell online, knowing you have an incredible opportunity to earn extra income. With a wide variety of products and services that are in high demand, the options are endless.

Whether you choose to sell digital products, fashion, food, or even your freelance skills, the key is to find what you’re passionate about and what has market demand. And if you’re looking for a platform to help you get started, sign up on Selar today. Selar allows you to sell your courses, digital products, and more with ease.

So, what are you waiting for? The online market is booming, and you still have a few months to make this year your year.