When you’re building a startup in Nigeria, there’s a strong urge to do everything yourself — pitch, design, code, market, and even fix the office Wi-Fi. It feels like you’re saving costs and staying hands-on. But in reality, doing it all slows you down.
If you’re serious about scaling, surviving, and standing out, you need to learn the art of outsourcing early. It’s not about laziness or luxury. It’s about freeing up your brain to focus on what truly matters — growth, strategy, and innovation.
So, what should a Nigerian startup founder delegate first?
Let’s break it down.
1. Bookkeeping and Accounting
Unless you’re a trained accountant, this is one of the first tasks to delegate. Managing invoices, tracking expenses, filing taxes — these tasks are essential, but also time-consuming.
Why outsource as a startup?
- Prevent legal and tax troubles
- Maintain clean financial records for future investors
- Focus on core operations, not crunching numbers
You can hire freelance accountants or use affordable platforms like Trove Finance or RiseVest for budgeting and projections.
2. Social Media Management
Your startup needs to be visible online — consistently. But creating engaging content, responding to comments, monitoring trends, and running campaigns can easily eat up your week.
Solution? Outsource to a social media strategist or agency like Bintu’s Art and Everything. They’ll help with:
- Content calendars tailored to your brand voice
- Engagement strategies that grow your community
- Analytics tracking for performance
Tools like Buffer or Hootsuite also allow smooth collaboration if you want to stay involved without micromanaging as a startup.
3. Graphic Design and Branding
Your brand identity isn’t just your logo — it’s the emotional connection people feel when they see your work. Unless you’re a designer, hire someone who can make you look like a million bucks from day one.
What to outsource:
- Logo and brand colors
- Social media templates
- Pitch decks and investor materials
- Product packaging or website visuals
Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or Nigerian-focused groups on Twitter and WhatsApp are great for finding skilled creatives.
4. Website Development and Tech Support
Even if your product is not tech-heavy, you need a clean, fast, and mobile-friendly website. It’s your digital home — and often the first impression investors, customers, or the media get.
Outsource:
- Front-end/back-end development
- Landing page optimization
- Website maintenance and updates
Don’t build your website on trial and error. Use platforms like WordPress, Webflow, or Squarespace — and get a developer to set it up right.
5. Customer Support
As soon as customers start asking questions or facing issues, you need a reliable system to handle them. If your inbox or DMs are your current customer support desk, it’s time to upgrade.
Outsource options:
- Hire a virtual assistant to handle inquiries
- Set up a chatbot or helpdesk software (like Zendesk or Freshdesk)
- Build a FAQ or knowledge base early on
Responsive customer support builds trust and prevents one negative review from derailing your brand.
6. Content Writing and SEO
Blog posts, newsletters, website copy, ad texts — content fuels your visibility. But writing consistently while building a startup? That’s a recipe for burnout.
Why it matters:
- SEO-rich content helps you rank on Google
- Clear brand storytelling builds authority
- Quality writing boosts conversion
Outsource to writers who understand your niche and your audience — and invest in content that brings long-term value.
7. Legal and Compliance Tasks
Don’t wait until a contract dispute or regulatory knock comes. Legal headaches can derail growth faster than poor marketing.
Early outsourcing here includes:
- Business registration with CAC
- Contract drafting and review
- IP protection and NDAs
- Tax and licensing compliance
You don’t need a full-time lawyer — but a legal consultant on retainer can save you millions down the line as a startup.
