26 Richest and Best Handwork to Learn in Nigeria 2023

There is plenty of skills and handwork that you can learn as a Nigerian student, graduate or entrepreneur.

The dream of every young Nigerian is to make a lot of money in a few weeks. But, it is not as easy as it may sound. There are many challenges that you will encounter to achieve financial freedom.

Making money online or by handwork requires your dedication, creativity and hard work. But the good news is that you will make good money if you put in the work and stay consistent.

You can learn a high-income lucrative skill or handwork in less than three (3) months. It depends on how fast you can learn and apply your skill knowledge.

As a Nigerian, you must get valuable moneymaking skills. You need this knowledge to make money.

You will find this post helpful if you are a student, graduate, civil servant or entrepreneur.

The reality in Nigeria requires that you have a side hustle as a Nigerian.

In this post, I will walk you through the most valuable and profitable skills to make you self-employed in Nigeria.

Also, you would be able to clear your doubt about which is better between handwork and business or which handwork to learn.

I would love to hear from you in the comment box below. Let me know if you need further help or have any questions.

Most Profitable Skills to Learn in Nigeria

Learning any of the profitable skills in Nigeria will make you self-employed.

There are four (4) types of trending most profitable skills that you can learn to make money in Nigeria;

• Handwork
• Digital Skills
• Entrepreneurship Skills
• Soft Skills

Handwork

Handwork is a skill that involves physical labour to provide services to people. They are jobs that you perform with your hands.

It involves using your hands and knowledge to solve problems. For example, a mechanic can repair a car with his knowledge of his handwork as an auto mechanic.

Handwork involves physical labour and is profitable to learn in Nigeria.

Learning Handwork in Nigeria

You can learn handwork by enrolling as an apprentice in a training centre.

Learning handwork will take you between six (6) months to seven (7) years in Nigeria.

You will receive a monetary settlement from your trainer after your apprenticeship program.

Best Handwork to Learn in Nigeria

Here is the list of profitable handwork to learn as a student in Nigeria;

1. Photography
2. Hair Barbing
3. Hair Styling
4. Makeup
5. Tailoring & Fashion Design
6. Phone Repair
7. House Painting
8. Wallpaper Installation
9. Food and Restaurant Business
10. Cake Baking & Pastries
11. Meat Pie Making
12. Peanut Making
13. Phone and Laptop Repair
14. Handbag Making
15. Plumbing
16. Solar Power Installation
17. Floor Tiling
18. Wristwatch Repair
19. Beading and Jewelry Making
20. Transportation Business
21. Playing Musical Equipment
22. CCTV Installation
23. Electrician & House Wiring
24. Auto Mechanic
25. Nail & Eyelashes Fixing
26. Crochet and Handbag Making
27. Aluminum Doors and Windows Installation

Photography

Becoming a professional photographer is the best skill to be self-employed in Nigeria. It is lucrative handwork that you can learn in three (3) months.

The handwork of photography involves taking pictures of people with a digital camera. You need lighting equipment and photo editing skills to become a successful photographer in Nigeria.

Many people doubt whether photography is still a valuable skill in Nigeria. The answer is yes. Photography is lucrative handwork that you can use to make money for yourself.

The use of smartphones with cameras is not a threat to the photography business. People hire photographers for special occasions like wedding ceremonies, photoshoots, etc.

You can make good money if you are good at taking quality and amazing pictures. Your clients would always recommend you to their friends to take their pictures.

Social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp are platforms to promote your work.

How to Become a Professional Photographer in Nigeria

Learning photography in Nigeria is between three months to a year.

It involves learning the basics of taking quality pictures and photo editing.

You can learn photography in two (2) ways;

• Taking Online Photography Classes
• Register as an Apprentice with a Photographer

Online Photography Classes

Taking online photography classes is one way to begin your career as a photographer.

You will learn the beginner’s guides on becoming a professional photographer.

The advantage of this system of learning is that it is cheap. You will only pay for your course materials and internet data. Some photography courses are free.

The cons of learning photography online are that you will not have the opportunity to experiment with real clients.

It is necessary to buy photography equipment to learn to use this process.

Websites for Online Photography Classes

YouTube is a free platform that you can use to learn photography.

Here is a list of websites to learn photography;

• YouTube
• Udemy
• Skillshare
• Wondrium
• Alison
• Coursera

Types of Photography Courses

The following are the types of photography courses;

• Wedding Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Architectural Photography
• Documentary Photography
• Street Photography
• Wildlife Photography
• Beauty Photography
• Commercial Photography
• Sport Photography
• Still Life Photography
• Abstract Photography
• Underwater Photography
• Long Exposure Photography
• Landscape Photography

Register as an Apprentice with a Photographer

Registering as an apprentice is the best way to learn photography in Nigeria.

• Search for a good photographer
• Register as an apprentice
• Pay the agreed sum of money
• Learn photography

The advantage of being a photographer apprentice is that you get to apply what you learn.

You would be able to go with your trainer to events for photography gigs. Also, you have access to learn with the photography equipment in the store.

Hair Barbing

Hair barbing is the skill of cutting the hair of male or female clients to make them look good.

Cutting hair is profitable because people cut their hair all the time.

You can learn how to cut hairstyles between three (3) to six (6) months.

Becoming a successful barber involves the following;

• Know how to cut trending styles in Nigeria for guys and ladies
• Site your barbershop in a good location
• Furnish your barbershop
• Build a good relationship with your customers

List of Barbing Salon Equipment in Nigeria

The following is the list of equipment that you need to set up a barbing saloon in Nigeria;

• Hair Clipper
• Large Wall Mirror
• Generator
• Sterilizer
• Rotating Chair
• Hair Brushes
• Music Sound System
• Neck Tissue Paper
• Fan or Air Condition

You don’t need to have a barbershop to cut hair in Nigeria. It is possible to attach to a barbershop and pay for the space.

Learning How to Cut Hair in Nigeria

You can learn how to cut hair in Nigeria;

• Online Tutorial
• Sign Up as an Apprenticeship

Signing up for an apprenticeship in a barber’s shop is the best way to learn how to cut hair. You would master the basics and begin to cut hairstyles yourself.

Hair Styling

Hairstyling is one of the most profitable handworks in Nigeria. Becoming a hairstylist will give you job opportunities at home and abroad.

Many people who want to travel abroad usually learn hairstyling as the skill of choice. It is because there are jobs for hairdressers everywhere.

The duration to learn hair styling is between six (6) months to one (1) year.

It is advisable to attach yourself as an apprentice to a hair salon. You can follow hairstylists on YouTube to improve your skills.

After learning, you can decide to get employment at a beauty shop or open your hair salon if you have the capital.

The perks of hairstyling are that you sell wigs, weaves and other hair products.

Learning how to plait the latest and trending styles is necessary to get high-paying clients.

Also, get an Instagram page where you post the hairstyles of your customers. It would give you more exposure.

Makeup

Makeup is now the trending way for Nigerians to earn cool cash. It is a skill that can make you self-employed.

A makeup artist is a person that applies cosmetics products to the face of a client to look beautiful.

Many ladies apply makeup on special occasions like weddings, birthdays, etc. Also, moviemakers use makeup artists for both male and female actors.

Learning makeup begins with signing up as an apprentice or watching YouTube videos.

It is best to learn makeup artistry at a studio and improve your skills using online tutorials.

Full Makeup Artist Kit List

As a makeup artist in Nigeria, you need to buy equipment.

The following are a list of full makeup artist kit;

• Professional Makeup Brushes (Foundation brush, buffer brush, blush brush, bronzer brush, contouring brush, small fan brush, large powder brush, complete eye brushes set, etc.)
• Moisturizer
• Face Primer
• Foundation
• Concealers
• Eyeshadow
• Rouge
• Cosmetic Spatulas and Steel Palettes
• Mirror
• Hair Clips
• Tweezers
• Ring Light
• Sponges
• Eyebrows Kit
• Eye Shadow
• Lipstick
• Eyeliner and Lip Liner
• Eyelashes
• Disposable Mascara and Lip Wands
• Cotton Pads and Sticks

Tailoring & Fashion Design

Fashion designing or tailoring is a high-paying skill in Nigeria. It is handwork that you can learn to make money.

Fashion designers are people who create beautiful and colourful dresses from materials. They know how to sew the perfect dress for any occasion.

The Nigerian fashion industry is profitable because people sew a new dresses for occasions.

Learning to sew dresses will take one (1) year of training at a fashion school. You will learn tailoring by learning under the tutorship of an experienced tailor.

Fashion design is the up-to-date version of tailoring. Fashion designers deal with making expensive dresses.

Phone Repair

Phone repair is one of the best handwork to learn in Nigeria.

Phone repairers are people who fix faulty phone devices. For example, you will take your phone to a repairer if your Samsung charging port develops a fault.

You will find these guys in the phone section (computer village) of popular markets in Nigeria. They are also into the sale of phone accessories and used phones.

You can make money as a phone repairer as your clients will refer their family and friends for repair.

Learning how to fix mobile devices will take you to one (1) year.

• Search for a phone repairer in your area.
• Show your interest in an apprenticeship opportunity.

You can sell phone accessories like power banks, earpieces, chargers, etc., for your phone repair.

House Painting

Learning how to paint all kinds of houses is a good skill. Painting is easy-to-learn handwork.

The real estate sector is booming in Nigeria. It is also why house painters are cashing out big time. Painters get a good amount of money for their handwork.

You can learn how to paint houses with beautiful and trending designs in six (6) months.

There are two types of house painting in Nigeria;

• Interior House Painting
• Exterior House Painting

As a painter, you can get high-paying clients by becoming friends with site engineers, paint sellers, etc.

Also, visiting building sites is a good strategy way to get customers.

Wallpaper Installation

Wall installation is an alternative to painting the interior of a house.

3D designs for living rooms are popular in Nigeria. Homeowners prefer wallpaper to paint because it is easy to change and a cheaper option.

You can learn how to install wallpapers in three (3) months in Nigeria.

There are different types and ways to install wallpaper designs.

You will learn the following during your apprenticeship;

• 3D wallpaper designs for living rooms in Nigeria
• Wallpaper designs and prices in Nigeria
• How much is wallpaper per roll in Nigeria
• Price of wallpaper in Nigeria
• How to install wallpaper with top bond
• How to fix wallpaper in Nigeria

Food and Restaurant Business

Opening a local food restaurant is one of the most profitable businesses in Nigeria.

Food nutrient is essential for the body. Nigerians eat in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Many people buy food on their way to work. Others get food for a lunch break and in the evening.

Selling delicious food in a restaurant will give you a lot of profit. You can start a low-budget small restaurant from your home.

There is profit in starting a restaurant business, plus your family can eat from the food you cook.

You can always get innovative by selling your food online using dispatch riders.

Also, the restaurant business involves the sale of drinking water and soft drinks.

Starting a Restaurant Business in Nigeria

The cost of starting a low-budget small restaurant business depends on your location, price of food items and size of the restaurant.

It can cost between fifty to two hundred thousand naira (₦50,000 – 200,000) to start a restaurant business in Nigeria.

Get a Good Location

Search for a commercial location to site your restaurant. The place of your business will determine the kind of customers that would patronize you.

You can use your house as the location for your restaurant if you have a low budget. But it is better to hire a store for your food vendor business. It will give your food business a level of professionalism.

Your restaurant must meet sanitary conditions.

Buy Cooking Materials

You must get the essential cooking equipment for your food business.

The following are cooking materials to start a restaurant business in Nigeria;

• Gas cooker
• Cooking pots of various sizes
• Dish and cutleries
• Spoons of various sizes
• Table and chairs
• Refrigerator
• Knife cutter
• Bowl
• Water drum storage
• Knife
• Blender
• Wooden spoons
• Saucepan
• Cutting board
• Frypan

Cake Baking & Pastries

The baking of cake, cupcakes, snacks and small chops is a good business in Nigeria.

This business is ideal for all kinds of people from students to adults. You can make plenty of money by making pastries.

To become a baker, you begin by learning how to make cakes online or in a training school. The duration for learning how to bake is three (3) months.

During this period, you will learn how to design and make tasty cakes. Also, you would get to know how to use the necessary equipment for baking.

Learning how to make meat pie and other snacks will give you more money.

The tastier your pastries, the more recommendation and customer you will get.

Requirements to Learn Baking in Nigeria

• Dedication
• Develop a passion for baking
• Learn scale measurements like gram (g) and kilogram (kg)
• How to mix the dough
• Good customer relationship

You must find out time to practice what you learn in baking school.

Baking Tools

Here are the tools you need to become a baker in Nigeria;

• Baking Utensils
• Baking Ingredients (flour, baking powder, butter, milk, etc.)
• Oven
• Icing nozzles
• Measuring cups
• Wood spoon
• Cake pillars
• Fondant mat
• Palette knives
• Whisk
• Chopping board
• Spatula
• Turntable
• Kitchen scissors
• Pastry brush
• Smoothers
• Rolling pin

As time progresses, you will know the equipment to buy for your baking.

Phone and Laptop Repair

Laptop and phone repair are profitable in Nigeria to become self-employed. The skill involves fixing faulty laptops with software and hardware problems.

Smartphones have become an essential commodity. People use their mobile devices to access the internet and connect with people.

Over time, these devices develop one fault or the other. So, they would have to take their phone to a repairer for a fix.

Also, laptops develop all kinds of software and hardware problems. Laptop owners are willing to fix their computers at a sum.

You can also add the installation of software to your laptop repair business.

Learning phone and laptop repair in Nigeria is six (6) months to a year.

Plumbing

Plumbing work is one of the best and most lucrative handwork to learn in Nigeria to make money.

A plumber is a person that installs the plumbing system in a house. The job also involves the maintenance and repair of faulty plumbing components.

For example, a plumber is in charge of fitting a kitchen sink.

Every new house built must use the services of a plumber.

Learning to plumb in Nigeria is six (6) months to a year.

Solar Power Installation

Solar power installation is one of the best skills to learn in Nigeria.

Many Nigerians are now searching for an alternate energy source because of a power outage.

You can learn how to install solar system panels for homes and offices. You will make money by doing a solar installation.

Learning solar panel installation in Nigeria is six (6) months to one (1) year.

You will master the following;

• Solar power system installation
• Types of solar panel
• Complete solar system
• 5kw solar system price
• Solar power for homes
• Cost of installing solar panels
• Solar power in Nigeria
• Best solar panels in Nigeria
• 1000w solar panel price in Nigeria
• Solar panel price
• Best solar panel in Nigeria

Floor Tiling

Learning floor tilling work installation is profitable in Nigeria.

The majority of the homes and offices in Nigeria make use of tiles. You can make money by becoming a skilful tiler. It is necessary to learn how to fix trending tiles like ceramic tiles.

The duration to learn how to fix tiles in Nigeria is six (6) months. You would have to register as an apprentice with a professional tiller.

To get tilling contract job, you would have to make friends with site engineers and tile sellers.

Here are the things you must know as a tiler;

• Cost of tiles in Nigeria
• Ceramic tiles in Nigeria
• Terrazzo flooring cost per square metre in Nigeria
• Tiles workmanship
• Price of tiles
• Fixing tiles

Wristwatch Repair

Wristwatch repair is good handwork in Nigeria.

Learning how to repair a wristwatch is a good side hustle to make money.

You can learn how to fix a wristwatch by learning the skill with a professional. It can take you between three (3) to six (6) months to learn how to fix a wristwatch.

CCTV Installation

CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. The installation of CCTV is for the visual monitoring of activities within a home or office space.

Today, many banks, offices, private homes, etc., use CCTV cameras for security purposes.

CCTV installation is lucrative handwork to learn in Nigeria. You can make money from the installation of security cameras.

You will begin by registering as an apprentice with a professional CCTV installer. The duration to learn CCTV installation is six (6) months. During this period, you will learn;

• CCTV installation price in Nigeria
• Price of CCTV camera in Nigeria
• CCTV operator training courses in Nigeria
• The cost of CCTV cameras
• Types of CCTV cameras and their prices
• CCTV installation kits
• CCTV installer

Beading and Jewelry Making

Bead making is a craft of attaching beads to make a string-like necklace or bracelet.

Beadwork and jewellery making is lucrative handwork to make money in Nigeria. You can make beads of beautiful designs and sell them to people in need of the commodity.

In Nigeria, the outfit for an occasion is incomplete without the attachment of beads. People wear beads in different kinds of ceremonies like traditional marriage, etc.

Types of Beads in Nigeria

The following are types of beads in Nigeria;

• Larva beads
• Pearl beads
• Vinyl beads
• Glass beads
• Seed beads
• Gemstone beads
• Bugle beads
• Bali beads
• Camel bone beads
• Coral beads

Materials for Bead Making in Nigeria

• Beads
• Clasp
• Headpins
• Crimps
• Bead shovels
• Crimping pliers
• Tiger tail strings
• Bead mats
• Fishing line
• Glue
• Gilder paste
• Bead reamers
• Crimp covers

Transportation Business

Transportation is the best business in Nigeria. It involves moving individuals from one location to another with a motorcycle, tricycle, car or bus.

Starting a transportation business is profitable in Nigeria. The secret to establishing a successful transportation business is to understand the following;

• Have a good business plan
• Decide the kind of transportation business
• Under the business terrain
• Get the necessary license

Starting a transportation business in Nigeria is capital intensive. You would need to buy the medium of transportation;

• Tricycle (Keke napep)
• Motorcycle (okada)
• Minibus
• Bus
• Car

You can start transportation in Nigeria without having a car by using a hire buy service. It involves you agreeing with a car or tricycle owner where you make daily payments.

Playing Musical Equipment

Playing a musical instrument is profitable to make money in Nigeria.

Making money through the playing of musical instruments in the following places;

• Church
• Ceremony
• School
• Musical artist

You can make money if you can master how to play musical instruments. For example, some churches pay to play the saxophone.

Electrician & House Wiring

An electrician is a person that fixes electrical faults in a home or office. It also involves electrical maintenance and wiring of houses. Also, knowing how to repair electrical appliances is an added advantage.

The job description of an electrical technician involves the installation of electric appliances and maintenance.

You can become an electrical technician by learning from a professional electrician.

Apprenticeship for an electrical technician in Nigeria is one (1) year.

To become an electrician, search for an electrical technician in your area.

After your training, you would get jobs from clients building new houses.

Automobile Mechanic

Auto mechanic technicians that repair faulty automobiles and carry out maintenance.

Becoming an auto mechanic is a way to become self-employed in Nigeria.

Types of Automobile Mechanic in Nigeria

The following are the types of automobile mechanics in Nigeria;

• Motorcycle mechanic
• Tricycle (Keke napep) mechanic
• Minibus mechanic
• Bus mechanic

The repair of automobiles is common handwork in Nigeria. It is one of the best ways to make money with a skill.

You can become an automobile mechanic by registering as an apprentice. The duration of the training is between one (1) to two (2) years.

After which, you would gain the freedom to work as an independent mechanic.

Nail & Eyelashes Fixing

Nail and eyelash fixing is a lucrative business in Nigeria. It is profitable to learn how to fix nails and other female beauty accessories.

Many ladies like to fix their nails and eyelashes for special occasions. You can learn this skill to make money. Also, it is possible to attach makeup to your skill to get more money.

The duration for learning nail and eyelashes fixing is between six (6) months to one (1) year.

Tote & Crochet Handbag Making

A handbag is a popular accessory for ladies. Making handbags like a tote and crochet bags is profitable in Nigeria. Also, you can learn how to make Ankara and leather bags.

Learning how to customize lady’s handbags is the most profitable way to make money. Nowadays, tote bags are now popular with students. It is a lucrative opportunity to earn money.

The skill of making handbags involves learning about their fabrics and design.

You can learn how to make handbags in six (6) months by watching online tutorials or enrolling as an apprentice.

Digital Skills

Digital skills are expertise that uses digital tools to solve problems. It involves using the internet or a computing system to offer services.

Learning a digital skill is the best way to make yourself self-employed.

You can read my post on the complete guide on how to make money online in Nigeria.

The following is a list of digital skills that you can learn;

• Internet marketing
• Web development
• Copywriting
• Blogging
• Graphic design
• Data analysis
• Writing
• Project management
• Web design
• Data science
• Mobile app development
• UX/UI design
• Analytics
• Programming

Entrepreneurship Skills

Entrepreneurship skills are the expertise of learning how to create and manage a business venture.

It is necessary to learn entrepreneurship skills as a business owner in Nigeria. The knowledge will help you to establish and manage your business for profit.

Poor management is the reason for the crashing of many businesses.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are an area of expertise that deals with the interaction between people. They are non-technical skills like digital skills.

The following are examples of soft skills;

• Emotional intelligence
• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Leadership
• Artificial intelligence
• Networking
• Coding
• Conflict resolution
• Cloud computing
• Creative thinking
• Blockchain
• Time management
• UX design
• Teamwork

I would love to hear from you in the comment box below. Let me know if you have any questions.