Sokoto state is one of the 36 states in Nigeria, it is located in the North Western part of the country and it was created on the 3rd of February, 1976. The capital of Sokoto state is Sokoto City and the nick name of the state is ‘Seat of the Caliphate’. The languages that are commonly spoken in Sokoto state are Hausa, Arabic and English.
Sokoto state shares borders with Zamfara state, Kebbi state, and an international border with the Republic of Niger. The predominant ethnic group in Sokoto state is the Hausa people and the Fulani people are a minority ethnic group in the state. The religion of the people in Sokoto is Islam (predominantly Sunni Muslims with a few Shia Muslims). Sokoto state is officially the seat of Islamic learning in Nigeria and the Sultan of Sokoto (Traditional Ruler) is spiritual head of Muslims in Nigeria.
The major sources of income for the people in Sokoto are Farming, Cattle rearing, Goat rearing, Sheep rearing, arts and crafts, trade and commerce, and Fishing. Crops like groundnut, Potato, Kola nuts, millet, sorghum, maize, tomatoes, onions and cotton et al are cultivated on a large scale in Sokoto state. The state is also blessed with some solid minerals that are not fully tapped.
Now let us quickly consider some of the top ten business opportunities available in Sokoto state.
10 Small Business Investment Opportunities in Sokoto State
1. Mechanized Farming
Sokoto state is one of the states in Nigeria that encourages investors to come establish their mechanized farming business. As a matter of fact, the state government is putting serious effort to ensure that irrigation spread across all farming areas in the state. So if you are looking towards starting your own mechanized farming in Nigeria, then you can consider heading to Sokoto state. You stand the chance of getting maximum support from the state government.
2. Commercial Fishing Business
Commercial fishing business is another business that is highly thriving in Sokoto state. You don’t necessarily need to become a fisherman before you can earn a living from fishing business. What you need to do is to open a business that has to do with salting, drying and packing fish. The very hot weather in Sokoto is ideal for this type of business and several food merchants from all over the country and even from the Republic of Niger and the Republic of Benin come to Sokoto to purchase their goods including dried fish.
3. Raw Food Merchant
Another business that you successfully launch in Sokoto state is wholesale of raw food. Someone once said that you can never get it wrong with food business, especially raw food. So, if you are looking for a sure – bet business that will guarantee you good returns on your investment, then you need to open a shop where food retailers can buy raw food especially rice, beans, garri and grains.
It is indeed a profitable business to establish in Sokoto. Just ensure that you choose a nice location to rent your shop; a major market in the heart of Sokoto city will be ideal for this type of business.
4. Mobile Phones, Computers and Accessories Shop
Mobile phones, computers and accessories shop is yet another highly thriving business an entrepreneur can successfully setup in Sokoto state. The demand for these products is on the increase because more and more people are beginning to embrace the use of technology in Sokoto state. The bottom line is that, the location you choose to set up this type of business will go a long way to determine how successfully you can build the business. A busy business district in Sokoto city is ideal for this type of business.
5. Tricycle and Motor Bike Merchant
If you have ever visited Sokoto state, you will realize that tricycles and motor bikes popular known as ‘Achaba’ in local street dialect in the Northern part of Nigeria is the most popular means of transportation in Sokoto state. You will virtually find tricycles and motorbikes in almost all the nooks and crannies of the state capital. So, if you are looking for a business to setup in Sokoto state, you can consider becoming a tricycle and motorbike merchant.
6. Water Refill Station
Water refill station is another highly thriving and profitable business an entrepreneur can easily setup in Sokoto state. The regular scarcity of portable drinking water makes this type of business profitable in the state. Just ensure that you have at least a tanker on ground for home and office delivery. The truth is that, once people realize that you treat your water, they would rather buy from you than patronize local water vendors.
7. Car Wash Business
Car wash business is yet another highly thriving and profitable business an entrepreneur can successfully setup in Sokoto state. This business is suitable in Sokoto city because of the fleets of cars in the city. Just ensure that you car wash is close to a major road in the city.
8. Furniture Making Business
Furniture making business is yet another profitable business an entrepreneur can successfully setup in Sokoto state. If you are a skilled carpenter looking for a place to start your furniture business, then you should consider Sokoto state.
9. Fast Food Business
Sokoto city is one of the places in the Northern part of Nigeria that a fast food business can thrive. So if you are looking for a business to establish in Sokoto state, then you should consider opening your own fast food business from the scratch or buy a franchise from an existing and successful fast food brand.
10. Consignment Shop
This is one business that cannot be easily phased out. Therefore you can consider starting a consignment shop. Before you can start this type of business, you have got to decide on the things to deal in. It could be clothes, shoes, electronics, and other things.
There you have it, 10 sure fire business ideas that you can start from the scratch and build to profitability.