10 Ways to Make Money Online in Nigeria

I never believed people actually made money online in Nigeria until 2020, when I received my first payment from writing for an online news outlet.

The thing is, I’ve always had a passion for writing, so I share my daily life experiences on my Facebook page. That got the attention of a Facebook friend who recommended me to the news outlet. And as they say, the rest is history.

Let’s say the truth. It’s not easy to earn money online in Nigeria, especially for beginners who don’t know what to do or where to look. I was once there. But you should not go through what I did. That’s why I’m here to expose you to the easy ways you can earn money online in Nigeria.

Top 10 Ways to Make Legit Money Online in Nigeria

Top ways to earn money online in Nigeria include freelancing, cryptocurrency trading, online surveys, blogging, social media management, affiliate marketing, community management, gift card trading, dropshipping, and content creation.

1. Freelancing:

During my undergraduate days, almost everyone in my class was a freelancer. And that’s no exaggeration. From software developers and content writers to graphic designers and copywriters, we had them in numbers.

Freelancing is one of the easiest ways to make money online as a Nigerian. What’s the hack?

Pick a skill of interest and learn it thoroughly. And if you already have a skill, you’re a step ahead. Then, you can monetise the skill on freelancing sites like Upwork. You might not start earning from the get-go, but it’s a sure bet. It took me six months to receive my first payment on Upwork. Yours could be more or less. 

2. Cryptocurrency Trading:

Before you wonder why cryptocurrency trading made this list as one of the top ways to make money online in Nigeria, just know that at least 35% of Nigerian adults are invested in cryptocurrency.

To be honest, I’ve made a few hundred dollars from cryptocurrency trading, particularly “degen trading”. The main thing is to have a good trading strategy. 

And perhaps you would like to start spot trading, having an account on exchanges like Breet is needed.

And yes, cryptocurrency trading is a two-way street like stock trading. You can either win or lose. But with proper risk management, your wins can be more than the losses. 

3. Online Surveys:

Another way you can make money online in Nigeria without having to do too much is by participating in online surveys. Sadly, most survey platforms don’t accept Nigerians. But fortunately, some, like Swagbucks, do.

Personally, surveys are one of my favourite ways to earn money online. Aside from the quick bucks, it excites me that someone out there is ready to pay me to share my opinions about their products and services.

Most survey sites pay participants through gift cards, such as Amazon, Starbucks, and Google Play vouchers. Don’t worry. You can always convert the gift cards to cash on Cardtonic. I’ve done that numerous times without breaking a sweat.

4. Blogging:

Sometimes, I wonder if there’s anything I’ve not done in my quest to make money online as a Nigerian. I tried blogging for a whole year without making a dime, so I quit.

However, the truth is that many young Nigerians live like kings with their earnings from blogging. Yes, I failed at blogging, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t succeeding at it. And maybe, just maybe, I might return to blogging someday.

Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning blogging as one of the ways to make money online in Nigeria from home.

5. Social Media Management:

Social media management is no doubt a lucrative online job in Nigeria. Brands employ people to help manage their social media handles by posting and responding to customers’ comments and messages.

If you spend hours on social media daily like my girlfriend, maybe it’s time to earn from it.

As brands continue to strive for a social media presence, social media managers will always have change in their pockets.

6. Affiliate Marketing:

If you’re a skilled salesperson, affiliate marketing is your most reliable path to earning a decent income online. You simply need to sign up as an affiliate marketer on reputable platforms and encourage people to patronise the brand’s products and services. For every product bought through your referral link, you’ll earn a commission. 

I didn’t bother to explore affiliate marketing as a way to make money online because I suck at convincing people to buy a product. 

7. Community Management:

Is managing people where you shine? Then you should explore Community management as a way to earn money online in Nigeria.

Trust me, it’s not that hard to be a community manager. You only have to answer questions from the community and ensure nobody violates the community rules. 

I have worked as a community manager for a cryptocurrency project in the past. And for a pay of $40 per week, it was absolutely worth it. I mean, that’s fair enough for being a telegram group admin. 

8. Gift Card Trading:

There’s hardly a Nigerian youth of this generation who doesn’t know about gift cards. In fact, many of them are gift card vendors involved in buying and selling various types of gift cards.

I have a friend who specifically buys Razer Gold gift cards in large quantities from local vendors and resells them on the international market for profit. This is unarguably one of the best online side hustles in Nigeria at the moment.

9. Dropshipping:

If you are looking for a way to make money online in Nigeria as a student, dropshipping is the solution. I mean, it’s one of the best ways to make money online without investment.

Can you connect the buyers of products to the sellers? Then just do that and get a percentage of the deal. It’s typically being a middleman. I didn’t enter dropshipping for the same reason I overlooked affiliate marketing; I can’t just influence people to buy things.

10. Content Creation:

From Sabinus and Nasboi to Brain Jotter, Mr Macaroni, and many others, content creation has given hope to thousands of young Nigerians through TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Content creators who have garnered enough audience earn money online through ambassadorial deals, promotions, and more. 

Yes, many Nigerians are getting into content creation nowadays. But it is still rewarding. You might not make quick money, but it’s a good long-term hustle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Earning Money Online

1. How Do Nigerians Make Money Online?

Nigerians make money online through various ways, like freelancing, dropshipping, blogging, cryptocurrency trading, affiliate marketing, and more.

2. What Is the Best Online Side Hustle in Nigeria?

It’s hard to say which online side hustle is the best in Nigeria, as that depends on individuals. But freelancing, cryptocurrency trading, and affiliate marketing are popular choices in Nigeria.

3. Can I Earn Money Online in Nigeria by Watching Videos?

Yes, you can earn money online in Nigeria by watching videos. Get-paid-to websites like ySense pay people, including Nigerians, to watch videos.

4. What Are the Best Sites to Earn Money Online in Nigeria?

The best sites to earn money online in Nigeria include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. You can always sell your skills on these platforms and get paid. 

5. How Do I Make Money Online in Nigeria Without Investment?

You can make money online in Nigeria without investment by selling your skills on freelancing platforms. You also don’t need an investment to make money online as an affiliate marketer.

6. Can I Make Money Online in Nigeria by Playing Games?

Yes, you can make money online in Nigeria by playing games. If you’re skilled at games like Ludo, Whot, etc., it’s time to showcase your expertise and earn on platforms like MPL Naija. 

Conclusion

I have lived the last five years of my life as a freelancer. And I can tell you it’s not rocket science to make money online in Nigeria, as many make it seem. Yes, it’s also not as simple as ABC, but it’s what anyone can do with the proper knowledge.

In your search for how to make money online in Nigeria, you’ll most likely come across people asking you to pay cash for an online job. You might also get offers that sound too good. Don’t fall for any of that. They’re most likely scammers.