10 Service Business Ideas You Can Start Today

Service businesses are relatively easy to start in Nigeria because they don’t require a huge amount of capital. 

If you have skills, tools, or a passion to share, you can tap into real demand and build a profitable venture quickly.

Here are 10 service ideas, each addressing a common everyday need and ready for a new entrepreneur.

1. Dry‑Cleaning Pickup and Delivery

Many busy professionals, students, and seniors struggle to drop off and collect laundry at traditional dry cleaners. You can fill this gap by partnering with a local dry‑cleaning shop. 

Begin by serving one apartment complex, collecting clients’ garments on scheduled days, delivering them to the cleaner, and returning finished items to customers’ doors. Charge a flat pickup‑and‑delivery fee on top of the cleaner’s bill, then expand routes or hire drivers as demand grows.

2. Mobile Mechanic

If you grew up tinkering with cars or you’ve worked in an auto shop, you already have the skills to repair vehicles. A mobile mechanic business brings your expertise directly to customers’ driveways or offices. Start by offering oil changes, brake checks, and basic tune‑ups to friends and neighbours. 

Build trust by clearly explaining every service and cost upfront, with no surprise fees. As referrals roll in, invest in a branded van, expand your service area, and add equipment for more complex repairs.

3. Personal Chef

Families and busy professionals often crave home‑cooked, restaurant‑quality meals but lack the time to prepare them. As a personal chef, you can design weekly menus, shop for groceries, and cook multiple meals in clients’ kitchens. 

Offer flexible plans: meal prep for the week, private dinner parties, or special‑occasion catering. A culinary degree helps, but excellent cooking skills and strong communication are your biggest assets. Market yourself through social media, local food blogs, or partnerships with nutritionists and fitness coaches.

4. Cover Letter & Resume Service

Not everyone knows how to craft a resume or cover letter that stands out. If you have editing and design skills, you can help job seekers present their experience in a clear and professional manner. 

Start with high‑quality templates and personalised consultations: draft each document, refine language, and format it neatly for both human readers and applicant‑tracking systems. Charge per document or offer package deals. 

Find clients through university career centres, professional networking events, or online platforms like LinkedIn.

5. Career & Life Coaching

With a background in hiring, training, or personal development, you can guide clients through career transitions and life‑planning challenges. Offer one‑on‑one sessions, either in person or via video call, focused on goal‑setting, interview preparation, or work‑life balance. 

Create packages that include assessments, action plans, and follow‑up support. Build credibility with certifications from recognised coaching institutions, and attract clients through corporate partnerships or referrals from HR professionals.

6. Mystery Shopping

Retailers and service brands pay for detailed feedback on customer experience. As a mystery shopper, you get paid to visit stores or restaurants, interact with staff, and rate things like service quality, cleanliness, and product knowledge. 

After each visit, you submit a report to the hiring company. Sign up with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association or similar networks to access assignments. This role lets you earn while exploring new products and services.

7. Mobile Car Wash & Detailing

Car owners appreciate the convenience of having their vehicles cleaned at home or work. A mobile car wash and detailing business requires a pressure washer, vacuum, generator, eco‑friendly soaps, brushes, and a transport vehicle. 

Offer packages for exterior wash, interior vacuum, waxing and upholstery shampoo. Target corporate fleets, dealership lots, and residential neighbourhoods. As you grow, hire helpers and add services like ceramic coating or headlight restoration.

8. Tutoring Services

Strong academic skills in math, science, languages or test prep are in high demand. As a tutor, you can help students improve grades, prepare for exams, or craft college‑application essays. Offer sessions at clients’ homes, local libraries or online via video chat. 

Set clear hourly rates and package deals, for example, “10 sessions for the price of nine.” Encourage referrals by rewarding current students with discounts when they bring friends.

9. Solar Panel Installation

As homeowners and businesses shift to clean energy, solar panel installation has become a growing field. With formal training and certification, you can partner with panel suppliers to offer site assessments, system design, and professional installation. 

Target residential neighbourhoods, schools and small businesses. Since solar systems can cost thousands of dollars, build trust through clear proposals, warranties, and maintenance plans.

10. Mobile Pet Grooming

Pet owners often struggle to find time to take their animals to a grooming salon. A mobile pet grooming service brings the salon to their doorstep. 

With basic grooming equipment, such as clippers, brushes, shampoos, a portable tub, and a suitable van or trailer, you can offer baths, haircuts, nail trims, and ear cleaning. 

Market your services to busy pet parents, elderly clients, and apartment communities. As you earn positive reviews, expand by hiring additional groomers.