At the beginning of a term, one student may have a textbook they no longer need while another is searching for an affordable copy. You could connect them by sourcing legitimate books, confirming the correct edition and describing the condition honestly before arranging collection or delivery.
₦10,000–₦25,000Phone helpfulLocal or home-basedBeginner
Starting-cost estimates are shown in Nigerian naira and reflect Nigerian reference conditions. If you are outside Nigeria, use them only as a planning reference and check current costs in your own location.
From stock selection to customer order
Select a small range for one customer group, verify the supplier, condition, specifications and full landed cost, and photograph each item honestly. Display the available stock with clear prices, record enquiries and confirm payment and collection or delivery terms before releasing an item. Update the stock record after every sale and reorder only what customers genuinely request.
Adapt it to your location
What to factor in before you set your price
Test a small selection through WhatsApp Business, Instagram, Jiji or relevant Facebook Marketplace and community groups before buying deeply. Build a short list of verifiable wholesalers, authorised distributors, local manufacturers or trusted market suppliers and compare the landed cost—not merely the shelf price. Include transport, transfer charges, packaging, damaged stock and delivery. After the first used textbook resale transaction, review which operating expense was higher than expected and adjust the offer.
Is this a good match for you?
You can assess a textbook’s condition, edition and relevance and describe it honestly to buyers.
You are dependable and can work around classes and agreed times.
You are able to start within one manageable campus area.
You are a clear communicator who records orders and commitments.
You are prepared to follow school, hostel and safety rules.
Free Business Discovery Online Brief
Picture this business in action
Use this online brief to picture used textbook resale as a real customer transaction, test demand with evidence and avoid spending heavily before you know what customers value.
A student with a deadline may have the document ready but no time to compare printers, confirm the specification and wait for collection. You could coordinate the job with a trusted provider, checking the authorised file, page count, colour, binding, deadline and price while protecting confidential material.
Best for: Students needing documents printed and collected with less inconvenience.
Lecture notes can become difficult to revise when important points are scattered across notebooks, handouts and digital files. You could help students arrange their own material into clear topic summaries, checklists or study schedules while they remain responsible for understanding and completing assessed work.
Best for: Students turning scattered notes into structured revision material.
A learner may need a patient explanation and guided practice rather than another set of answers to memorise. If you understand a subject well, you could offer planned tutorial sessions at a clearly defined level while avoiding guaranteed grades or completing assessed work for the learner.
Best for: Students needing guided explanations from someone confident in the subject.
₦0–₦10,000Phone helpfulLocal, home-based or online
StartRight NG is an independent, privately owned, Nigerian-founded educational and business-discovery platform offering practical digital resources to entrepreneurs and business owners across Africa. It is not a government programme and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or operated by any government ministry, department, agency or authority. Costs, currencies, regulations, registration processes and market conditions may differ by country.
