Nigeria's food delivery scene is experiencing a surge in growth, with a new wave of startups emerging to cater to the country's diverse culinary needs. While dominant players like Chowdeck, Glovo, and Food Court continue to dominate major cities, these new startups are thriving by targeting hyperlocal markets and regional delicacies that are often overlooked by mainstream platforms.

One of the key trends driving this growth is the rise of campus-focused food delivery startups. CHAO, for instance, targets students with affordable late-night meals, groceries, and medicine delivery across campuses. With operations in the University of Port Harcourt and Pan-Atlantic University, CHAO has grown rapidly since its launch in 2022, processing ₦70 million in gross merchandise value across 25,000 orders. Its self-reported revenue for 2024 was ₦17.5 million ($11,669), with ₦10 million disbursed to riders. The startup's proximity to students enables faster delivery and stronger brand loyalty.

Another campus-focused startup is BelaChow, which serves Lead City University in Ibadan and Redeemer's University in Ede. BelaChow caters to student favorites, including street food and meals from major chains like KFC, Burger King, and Item7Go. Beyond food, BelaChow also offers laundry services to students, with basic plans starting at ₦7,000 for ironing and ₦10,000 for full-service washing, folding, and ironing. Meal deliveries start as low as ₦1,000, with delivery fees from ₦250.

Yabatech Food Delivery is another startup serving students in and around Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos. The platform focuses on hyperlocal delivery, allowing students to order meals from nearby restaurants for as little as ₦1,000. Unlike its competitors, Yabatech Food operates without a mobile app, relying on a web-based ordering system.

Regional and hyperlocal startups are also gaining traction in Nigeria's food delivery market. Ogwugo, based in Enugu, has built a strong following in Eastern Nigeria, particularly in Nsukka. The platform mixes mainstream chains like Chicken Republic with local favorites specializing in Eastern delicacies like ntachi osa, nkwobi, and oha soup. Founded in 2017, Ogwugo has raised $51,000 in funding, with backing from the Ford Foundation. Food prices range from ₦1,400 to ₦5,000, with free delivery in some areas, though service fees vary.

Olili, founded in 2019, operates in Asaba and Warri, featuring an extensive selection of local restaurants. By 2021, the startup had processed over 14,000 orders and attracted 3,400 users. Olili raised $125,000 in seed funding in 2020, fueling its early expansion. A key differentiator for Olili is its wide selection of local foods. A typical delivery from Asaba Mall to Asaba Terminal costs ₦1,950.

Dado Food, which operates in Enugu and Abuja, offers delivery from restaurants, local markets, grocery stores, and pharmacies. The platform adjusts its offerings based on the city: Enugu customers get access to Chicken Republic, while Abuja customers see a heavier focus on local eateries. Founded in 2017, Dado charges a delivery fee of ₦6,510 for orders from a restaurant in 6th Avenue, Gwarinpa, to Abuja Continental.

Foodelo, founded in November 2021, offers on-demand food delivery in both Lagos and Abeokuta, Nigeria. The platform is accessible via web and mobile app and currently features a wider variety of local restaurants in Lagos, while Abeokuta's selection is still expanding.

Lagos-based startups are also making a mark in the food delivery scene. ChowCentral, originally launched as 500Chow, is a cloud kitchen that gained traction during the COVID-19 lockdown. The YC-backed startup generates over $80,000 in monthly revenue and primarily serves Lagos, focusing on Lekki, Oniru, Victoria Island, Surulere, Ajah, and Yaba. Founded by Tosin Onafuye, Christopher Obasi, and Adeyemo Onafuye, ChowCentral sells meals starting at ₦2,000 and is available on platforms like Chowdeck, Glovo, and Pocket by Piggyvest.

UrbanEats, founded in 2023, operates in Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island, featuring premium restaurants like Ikoko, Chow City, Cindy's, and Adun Kitchen. UrbanEats encourages customer retention through a meal points system—you'll earn ₦10 for every ₦4,000 spent. For instance, if you spend ₦4,000 on your order, you get ₦300 Mealbot points.

OjaNow, founded by three Nigerian friends, is an on-demand delivery startup offering groceries, alcohol, electronics, and gifts. The service operates 24/7 in Lagos, with prices starting at ₦250. In 2024, OjaNow raised $150,000 in pre-seed funding at a $6 million valuation. The company stocks over 300 products in strategically located storage facilities to ensure rapid delivery.

The emergence of these new startups in Nigeria's food delivery market signals a shift towards hyperlocal and regional focus, catering to the country's diverse culinary needs. As the market continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these startups evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences.