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Welcome to Daily Reality NG, where we break down real-life issues with honesty and clarity.
I’m Samson Ese, founder of Daily Reality NG. I’ve been blogging and building online businesses in Nigeria since 2016, helped over 4,000 readers start making money online, and my sites currently serve 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa.
How Small Businesses Are Beating Inflation in Nigeria Right Now (2025 Edition)
Reading time: 26 minutes | Published: November 21, 2025
Table of Contents
- The Day Aunty Joy Almost Closed Her Provision Shop
- The Real Inflation Numbers Hitting Businesses Today
- Strategy 1: Smart Price Adjustment Without Losing Customers
- Strategy 2: Dollar-Based Income & Import Substitution
- Strategy 3: Cutting Waste Like Never Before
- 7 Real Businesses That Are Winning Right Now
- Your 30-Day Action Plan to Beat Inflation
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ
Inflation don turn many business owners to prayer warriors overnight.
Last month I visited Aunty Joy’s big provision shop in Ajah. She has been there since 2018. In January 2025 she almost close shop because bag of rice jump from ₦68,000 to ₦112,000, Indomie carton reach ₦18,500, and customers dey complain every day. Sales drop 40%. She carry the matter go mountain.
Today the same shop is full again, she don add two new freezers, and she just paid her children WAEC fees cash. Wetin change? She changed the way she do business. And she’s not alone – thousands of small businesses across Nigeria are doing the same thing right now.
The Real Inflation Numbers Hitting Us – November 2025
National Bureau of Statistics just released October figures: headline inflation 34.2%, food inflation 39.8%. That means if you made ₦1 million profit last year, you need almost ₦1.4 million this year to buy the same thing.
But some people are not just surviving – dem dey grow. How?
Strategy 1: Smart Price Adjustment (Without Chasing Customers Away)
Many business owners fear to increase price. But the ones winning are doing it smartly.
- They increase price small small (5–10% every few months) instead of one big jump
- They introduce premium versions (e.g. “VIP pack” with better packaging) so old price still dey for normal customers
- They explain to loyal customers: “Aunty, na because of dollar o, but I still dey try hold am for you”
A barbing salon in Festac increased price from ₦1,000 to ₦1,500. Many customers vex. Then he introduced “Express Cut” for ₦1,200 (no shaving powder, no massage). 80% of the angry customers chose Express Cut and stayed.
Strategy 2: Dollar Income & Import Substitution
The smartest move I’ve seen this year: small businesses creating dollar income while buying local.
Examples blowing my mind right now:
- Tailor in Yaba sewing native for US clients on WhatsApp – charges $120 per outfit
- POS lady in Owerri running Facebook ads for US churches – makes $800 weekly
- Provision shop owner in Benin importing nothing again – now selling only made-in-Nigeria goods (Dangote salt, Indomie, local drinks)
When you earn dollar but spend naira, inflation no fit touch you.
Strategy 3: Cutting Waste Like Never Before
Inflation na teacher – e go force you to run your business like big company.
Things people are doing now:
- Switching from generator to solar/inverter (saving ₦300k–₦1m monthly)
- Bulk buying non-perishables when price small low
- Negotiating with suppliers for 30–60 days credit
- Using free tools instead of paid (WhatsApp Business instead of website subscription)
7 Real Small Businesses Winning Against Inflation in 2025
1. Mama Put in Ikeja – removed rice from menu on Tuesdays & Thursdays, now sells only swallow + soup. Cost down, profit up 35%.
2. Phone accessories guy in Computer Village – started importing directly from Huaqiangbei instead of buying from Idumota. Margin jumped from 18% to 42%.
3. Laundry man in Port Harcourt – added pickup/delivery with bike boys. Revenue ×3, same overhead.
4. Pure water factory in Ibadan – switched to borehole + treatment instead of buying sachet water for production. Saved ₦4.2m in 8 months.
5. Makeup artist in Abuja – now charges in dollars for brides in UK/Canada. Naira income na just bonus.
Your 30-Day Action Plan to Beat Inflation Starting Today
Let me hold your hand like elder brother:
- Week 1: Calculate your real profit margin product by product
- Week 2: Increase price on top 5 selling items by 8–12%
- Week 3: Start one dollar income stream (even if small)
- Week 4: Cut one major expense (generator, rent, staff, anything)
Read our full guide on how to start earning dollars from Nigeria in 2025 and best solar systems for small business.
Key Takeaways – November 2025
- Inflation na 34%+ but you can still grow your business
- Smart small price increases + better products = happy customers + more profit
- Dollar income is the ultimate inflation hedge for Nigerians
- Every kobo you save on overhead goes straight to your pocket
- Thousands of small businesses are winning – you too can
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can small business still make profit with this inflation?
Yes! Thousands are even growing faster because they adjusted fast.
How do I increase price without customers running?
Do it small small, explain the reason, and give better value or bonus.
Which business is beating inflation most in 2025?
Any business with dollar income or very low overhead – freelancing, export, solar installation, food vending.
Is it too late to start new business in 2025?
No! Many people started this year and are already making profit because demand is high.
How can I start earning dollars this month?
Start with freelancing on Upwork, Fiverr, or selling digital products on Selar/Whidbey.
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Author: Samson Ese | Daily Reality NG
Samson Ese na the person wey dey behind Daily Reality NG since 2016. E don help thousands build better life with practical advice wey work for Naija.
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© 2025 Daily Reality NG — Empowering Everyday Nigerians | All posts are independently written and fact-checked by Samson Ese based on real experience and verified sources.
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