How everyday Nigerians can make wealth from food, drinks, and daily essentials
October 1, 2025
₦260 billion profit in 6 months. That’s BUA Foods in 2025.
Yes, you heard me right. In just half a year, they raked in what some countries can’t even boast of. But here’s the kicker, they’re not alone. Nigerian Breweries, Nestlé, Vitafoam, Cadbury… all of them turned in billions too. And hidden inside their success are wealth lessons that you, an everyday Nigerian, can apply.
Let’s break it down together.
The real money isn’t always where you think
Growing up, most of us thought the only way to big money was oil and gas, or working in banks. That’s what we saw on TV and in the newspapers.
But life has taught us otherwise. Think about it: bread, sugar, noodles, beer, foam. Simple, everyday things. No drama, no fancy packaging. Yet those same basics are quietly minting billionaires.
People will always eat, drink, and sleep on foam. That’s why companies that meet those daily needs are smiling to the bank.
Nigeria’s consumer comeback
2024 was tough. Inflation scattered budgets, FX wahala stressed businesses, demand was weak. But by 2025, consumer goods bounced back with fire.
- BUA Foods: ₦260bn profit
- Nigerian Breweries: ₦88bn
- Nestlé: ₦50bn
- International Breweries: ₦41bn
- Cadbury: ₦10bn
- Vitafoam: ₦6.7bn
And when you look deeper:
- BUA Foods generated ₦912bn revenue in just 6 months.
- Nigerian Breweries pulled ₦738bn.
- Nestlé did ₦581bn.
- Even smaller players like Champion Breweries and Northern Flour Mills pulled in billions.
Why? Because Nigerians eat and drink daily. Even when things are hard, demand for essentials never sleeps.
What the giants are teaching us
Instead of just admiring them, let’s collect wisdom from their playbook:
- Focus on essentials – food, drinks, housing. These never go out of style.
- Efficiency pays – BUA ran a 29% profit margin. That’s discipline, not luck.
- Brands matter – Nestlé is still charging premium despite tough times. People trust them.
- Resilience is key – 2024 was full of losses, but 2025 turned around. Wealth requires patience.
How you can plug into the money flow
You don’t need to own a factory before you start benefiting. Here are ways everyday Nigerians are already cashing out:
- Distributor/wholesaler: With ₦500k–₦5m, you can move goods in bulk and earn steady.
- Retail (shops, kiosks, online): People eat every day. Sell what people buy daily.
- Logistics/delivery: Help FMCGs move products, take your cut.
- Stocks: Apps like Trove, Bamboo, Chaka let you buy shares in these companies. Every dividend is extra cash in your pocket.
If you have stronger capital or networks, here’s where the hidden gold lies:
- Packaging factories: Cartons, nylons. FMCGs need them daily.
- Warehousing hubs: Rent space near cities, lease to FMCGs.
- Private label food brands: Buy bulk, repackage, sell premium.
- Dividend plays: BUA, NB, Nestlé stocks pay steady.
- Franchising/agency: Partner directly with these giants.
Don’t just consume. Own a piece.
Here’s a truth bomb: the same malt you drink, the bread you buy, the noodles you cook, somebody is getting rich because you’re spending.
Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to produce wealth.” That means wisdom, ideas, opportunities are already in your hands.
Food, drinks, and daily essentials will never go out of fashion. Instead of just consuming, position yourself to own a piece.
So, the real question is: which play will you start today?
