MoneyStory: She Makes Up to ₦200k a Day Selling Food, But the Stress Will Humble You

Age

27

Occupation

Food vendor

Location

Abeokuta, Ogun State

Rent

₦600k

Monthly Income (est.)

₦1M – ₦1.8M

Total Savings

₦5M

How did you get into the food business?

I started because I knew food is something people can’t do without, especially in a student area. Even when people don’t have money, they’ll still find a way to eat. That was what made me feel like if I got it right, I wouldn’t struggle to get customers.

Did it start at this level for you?

Not at all. It started small. I had to learn what people actually liked, what sold faster, and how to manage the business side of things. It took time before it got to this point.

What kind of food do you make?

I focus on everyday meals like rice, beans, spaghetti, and swallow with different soups because those are things people eat regularly. Students don’t want anything too complicated, they just want something filling and reliable.

I also make signature dishes, but only on special orders. Those ones take more time and planning, so I don’t do them every day.

What does your day look like from morning to night?

My day starts very early because there’s always a lot to prepare. Since I buy ingredients in bulk, mornings are mostly for sorting things out, cleaning, and getting everything ready before cooking starts.

Once cooking begins, everything moves fast. By afternoon, orders start coming in, and from that point, it’s mostly cooking, packaging, and handling deliveries till evening. It can get very busy.

How much do you make in a day?

On really good days, I can make over ₦200k, especially when demand is high or there’s a lot going on around the area.

Is it always that high?

No, not every day. Some days are slower, but because the area is always active, it usually balances out in the long run.

That sounds like a lot of money. Where does it all go?

The business itself takes a big part of it. Ingredients alone cost me about ₦700k because I buy in bulk. It sounds like a lot, but it helps me avoid running out of stock and keeps things moving smoothly.

What other major costs do you have?

Fuel is another big one. Between powering the generator and fueling my car, I spend about ₦200k monthly. With how things are now, you can’t really run a business like this without constant power.

Does it ever feel overwhelming?

Yes, sometimes. You see money coming in, but at the same time, a lot is going out. It makes you realize it’s not as simple as it looks from the outside.

Do you spend on yourself too?

Yes, I do. I work a lot, so I try to enjoy my money when I can. I like going on solo dates once in a while, and I can spend at least ₦100k when I do.

What’s the most difficult part of running this business?

The stress, honestly. Cooking every single day is physically demanding. There are days your body is tired, but you still have to show up because people are already expecting their food.

Have you ever felt like stopping?

There are days I feel very tired and overwhelmed, but I keep going because of the results. When you see the income and the progress, it pushes you.

You’ve saved over ₦5M. How were you able to do that?

It took discipline. When money started coming in, it was tempting to spend more, but I had to be intentional about saving. I made it a priority, and that’s how I’ve been able to build it up.

What are you working towards now?

I want to expand and grow the business. Maybe move into a bigger space or build something more structured.

How would you describe your financial life right now?

I’m doing well, but it’s not as easy as people think. The money is good, but the stress that comes with it will humble you.