How to get remote jobs in Nigeria

image of a young man working on his laptop while at home

I always thought working remotely was a distant dream for me, but with the right approach, it is more possible now than ever in Nigeria. 

To work from home means more flexibility, higher wages, and the ability to reach out to people in different parts of the world without physically traveling. 

In this guide, I’ll relay the course of action that I followed, ranging from how much you can expect working remotely from Nigeria to tips to succeed as a remote worker.  So without much further ado, let’s get started, shall we? 

Can you work remotely from Nigeria?

Yes, working remotely from Nigeria is absolutely possible! With a stable internet and a growing number of digital tools, many Nigerians now work for companies worldwide without leaving their home country. 

While some remote jobs require specific skills or prior experience, many fields like tech, customer support, and content writing are open to remote employees. It’s a great way to build a career while enjoying the comfort of working from home.

How much do remote jobs pay in Nigeria? 

According to information online, The base pay range for remote jobs in Nigeria spans from 1,000 dollars to as much as 500,000 dollars per year. This data comes from an aggregate of 31 salaries, offering insight for those interested in remote work opportunities in Nigeria.

How to apply for remote jobs in Nigeria 

Step 1: 

Understand that you’d be competing in a global pool of candidates which automatically makes the process more competitive than a local job application.

To give yourself an advantage, double down on the knowledge you have of your existing skillsets.

  • If you are very good at your job, take courses to become even better.
  • If you are better, learn complementary skills in your job role that can set you apart from others. It could be something as simple as learning how to work with new tools in your industry.

If none of the above applies to you, then return to plan o.

Step 2: 

Plan zero is where you shut out the noise and dedicate 7 to 18 months to mastering a high-value skill. I recommend skills in the tech industry.

Google a list of top-paying jobs/skills and focus on the one that aligns with your strengths. Pick one! You are likely to fail if you attempt to do many things at once. 

Once you’ve learned to a professional level, look at the average job descriptions for that role and set timelines to learn each of the requirements.

It’s possible to learn a skill up to upper intermediate level with Udemy, Coursea, YouTube, and co. You can even sign up with online academies where you don’t have to pay tuition until you get a job.

Practice what you’ve learned frequently so you don’t end up in the rabbit hole of endless courses.

Step 3: 

Plan zero is completed. At this point, you have probably built a small portfolio of 2 to 4 projects you worked on.

People sometimes assume you can only have a portfolio after you’ve been hired. False. 

Build your own projects. E.g. writing your own articles as a writer or copywriter. Find live projects in your own field and remodel them. E.g. redesigning an app as a UI designer.

Offer your skills to your friend or family business. E.g. market research as a data analyst or helping them with a website as a front-end designer. 

Find people in your community and collaborate on a project with them. E.g. contributing to an open-source project in GitHub. There are many free hosting sites to house your portfolio if you cannot afford a custom one yet.

Step 4: 

You are ready now. This is the point where you start putting out applications. Do not focus on websites dedicated strictly to remote hires as they are unnecessarily competitive with limited opportunities.

Go beyond – Indeed, Glassdoor and Linkedin are underrated. Network with people in your industry and dedicated recruiters in your field by engaging with their posts.

Don’t come off as a bug or desperate. When they finally post a job that interests you, apply and inform them by DM.

Your existing relationship with them pushes you to the top of their list for interviews or opportunities in the future. Rinse and repeat with decision makers/ influencers in your target companies.

Step 5: 

Apply! Apply! Apply! Job hunting is a full-time job. Program your mindset to receive at least 2 regret emails every day.

That way the day you receive only one regret mail it would feel like a small win already. Realize that your location and nationality will be up against you as a Nigerian so even when you are highly qualified for an opportunity that regret mail will still come.

Sometimes it might feel like you will never get your big break. Do not despair. Many Nigerians living in Nigeria have done it and there’s no reason why you won’t be next.

You didn’t spend the last year mastering that skill just to give up here. Hang on, one day you will get that congratulations mail too.

Step 6: 

Most job roles usually have niche job websites for opportunities in that field. It helps you narrow down on endless search. Sometimes it could be a Facebook community, a Twitter page, or even a Slack group.

It helps when you have target companies in mind especially those with a history of hiring remotely. Check the company career page often as not all opportunities make it to job boards. 

Foreign companies hiring remotely typically use Lever, greenhouse, workable, and Breezyhr to host their vacancies. Google the company name with one of these keywords or your job title with these keywords to find opportunities.

Do not also rule out building a small community on LinkedIn or even Twitter so recruiters or project managers can head-hunt you.

Step 7: 

Still on application. Don’t kill yourself with America! You can earn decently from other companies out of North America and it is less competitive since the average person in India and everywhere else is already looking at US companies.

Your English skills already put you at an advantage in non-English speaking companies, especially those businesses that are targeting an international market.

Look at native job boards in Asian countries, Europe, and even places like Israel. A lot of companies there hire remotely. Pitch yourself to decision-makers in these companies by highlighting the business problems and your possible solutions.

P.S: (Hunter.io helps you find email addresses of

companies)

Step 8: 

Learn how to interview with foreign companies. Believe me, the interview process is different from how the average Nigerian company recruits.

This is not a place for ‘My name is Sunday Chideka. I’m from the Mbiase Local government Area. I did my NYSC at …” Nope! Nope!

They also take note of your organization, composure, and communication skills among other things especially when the job role entails working with teams.

Your video background and even internet connection are little things that could influence the outcome of an interview. Speak slowly so your Nigerian accent does not work against you. Be confident, be clear, and be audible.

Tips for succeeding while working remotely 

Here are four helpful tips I  recommend if you must succeed while working remotely: 

  1. Follow the same routine every morning that you would if you were to go physically to the office. Wake up, have breakfast, freshen up, and get on your home office desk! It brings discipline and makes you more productive.  
  1. Try to dress well (could be casual/business casual) especially when you have an online meeting. Make a to-do list for your work every day/week, and keep healthy. Balance work and life and mental health.  
  1. Create a workspace that is functional, comfortable, and inviting! Don’t underestimate the impact that a plant candle or pushchair can make on your mood or productivity! 

Whether you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated office or just a desk in your bedroom, little touches will make your workspace a place that you will enjoy spending much of your day in.  

  1. Getting some physical activity each day is incredibly important! Try to get a walk-in at some point during your day – this can really give your eyes a break from the screens and help clean your mind! 

Also, try to reschedule a check-in call with colleagues every so often – it’s important to maintain those work relationships and stay in touch with people who you don’t see every day when working remotely. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Let us go over some frequently asked questions you might have about working remotely in Nigeria.

Do remote workers pay taxes in Nigeria?

Yes, Nigerian remote workers, including freelancers and digital influencers, must pay taxes in Nigeria under the new Resident Global Digital Citizen Tax system. 

Taxes may be deducted through banks, especially from foreign currency earnings, to ensure compliance.

What is the easiest work-from-home job to get?

Positions such as virtual assistant are considered to be one of the easiest positions that allow individuals to work from the comforts of their homes. 

Most of these jobs involve duties such as handling emails and entering data, which are basic administrative work skills that can be learned within a short time and have no fixed working hours.

What Jobs can be done remotely?

Many roles can be done remotely including writing content, graphics designing, customer support, and programming. 

Thanks to the internet, professionals from various industries can also work from home providing services with no geographical borders to their local or international clients. 

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