A Systemic Approach to Nigeria's Remote Work Hurdles

With workplaces shifting to remote models and connectivity increasing around the world, Nigeria, which houses over 220 million individuals and has a large young population, is in the middle of a major dilemma. While it is thought that overseas remote work is a path to prosperity for a skilled, educated, yet underemployed workforce, in reality, this is not always the case. For many Nigerians, reliable jobs that allow remote work are still not easy to find. Although there are more platforms for international freelance and remote work, most Nigerians still face barriers that stop them from joining the digital workforce.

A survey conducted in 2023 by Jobberman found that about 60% of young Nigerians want to work remotely, but less than 18% have found permanent remote jobs. Gaining freedom in earning and work globally is made difficult by various structural, technological, and economic problems. We will discuss why remote jobs may be hard for Nigerians to find and what should be done to make them more accessible.

 

1. Digital Divide and Internet Connectivity

Nigeria faces a major obstacle in digital access. Although Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt have reliable internet, many other areas of the country do not. As per the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), by 2024, around 43% of Nigerians will have internet access, and approximately 23% will be connected to broadband.

Even where the internet can be accessed, it usually costs a lot and is not reliable. Nigerians put about 10-15% of their monthly earnings towards data, which is much higher than the share spent by people in developed countries. With slow connections, regular service interruptions, and slow speeds, remote work becomes challenging when it comes to virtual meetings, completing work on time, or being always accessible online.

 

2. Electricity Issues Hinder Remote Work

Lack of reliable electricity is a major problem for remote workers in Nigeria. Data from the World Bank in 2023 shows that Nigerians face an average of 32 power cuts per month. For many people, electricity is not available for hours or even days. Backup units for AI applications, such as generators and inverters, are widely used, but they cost a lot and are not very environmentally friendly.

This leads to a clear outcome: productivity falls, jobs are done poorly, and capable Nigerians are rejected for employment in foreign countries due to infrastructure weaknesses, not a lack of abilities. Retaining employees at a distance is difficult and can hold back their careers.

 

3. Payment Challenges

They also find it challenging to get the money they need. Most Nigerian banks are not compatible with global payment platforms such as PayPal, so Nigerians are unable to collect funds sent to them. Payoneer, Wise, and crypto-wallets work in some cases, but they usually involve high fees, unwanted delays, and frequent changes to their terms.

Such difficulties make employers think that freelancers or full-time remote workers from Nigeria can be complicated or demanding. A poorly developed infrastructure for payments makes it difficult for people to trust or access remote work opportunities.

 

4. Trust Issues

Mistrust between workers in Nigeria sending remote work to employers abroad is caused by stereotypes, fraud suspicions, and differing opinions on politics. Since some cyber criminals are Nigerians, many well-meaning Nigerians are judged unfairly when applying for jobs. It causes employers concern if a Nigerian IP address is mentioned.

Due to this reputation issue, Nigerians with the right skills often must work harder than others to gain respect. People may have to pass more checks than others, perform unpaid jobs, or wait longer for contracts to be approved. It reduces motivation, confidence, and how much an employee engages in remote work.

 

5. Global Remote Job Competition

There is strong competition in the global remote work market. People from Nigeria are going up against talented workers from India, the Philippines, Eastern Europe, and South America, who have access to better technology, convenient time zones, and supportive institutions.

Setting oneself apart requires resourcefulness, but with little help, many Nigerians are expected to do it on their own. Being part of a large pool of workers makes it harder to gain long-term remote jobs.

 

6. Skills Gap

Nigeria has plenty of tech hubs and coding boot camps, but there are not enough workers with the skills needed for remote tech jobs around the world. Besides coding and design skills, companies also prefer workers who know agile methods, how to use Jira and Slack when working remotely, and understand the culture of international business.

Data from a 2022 Andela survey found that out of thousands of Nigerian job seekers, only a small percentage meet the basic qualifications in the eyes of overseas recruiters. This points to an important need for improved skills training, support, and closer links between what is taught and what employers desire.

 

7. Lack of Opportunities

It is still a challenge to find suitable jobs. Although there are platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, and LinkedIn, most of them are already very crowded, and those with experience usually have more success. Those with no impressive digital work or long references are often overlooked by employers.

Companies from all over the world are often keen to hire workers from countries that offer steady infrastructure, a transparent payment system, and a good name. As a result, there is a lack of recruitment approaches that focus on or welcome Nigerian candidates.

 

8. Socioeconomic and Psychological Factors

There are additional concerns not touched on by infrastructure or skills: few role models, little networking, and symptoms of poor mental health, such as insecurity and stress. Such factors can make it more difficult for people to succeed in working remotely.

Moreover, the differences in cultural approaches to communication may cause trouble for remote workers in Nigeria.

 

Why the Economic Multiplier Effect Matters

Making remote work possible in Nigeria brings more than just extra money for individuals; it has greater effects on the economy. Remote workers who earn money typically use it to create businesses nearby, offering jobs and accelerating economic activity in their areas. Further, bringing remote work earnings into the country could aid in keeping the naira steady and lessen Nigeria's need for oil revenues, like other countries such as India and the Philippines. Making remote work salaries accessible to people in Nigeria could prevent many skilled professionals from leaving the country.

 

Conclusion

There are several challenges for Nigerians to secure remote jobs abroad. Such problems as the digital divide and electricity shortages, along with difficulties with payment systems and global bias, cannot be fixed by easy solutions. Nevertheless, the possibilities are immense. Nigeria is the place where you can find many young, tech-savvy people. If you take the right steps, the outcome of the story can be different.

A joint effort is needed to reach this potential:

- Government investment in infrastructure: Broadband and stable electricity for all should be national priorities supported by government investment.

- Fintech and banking: Work for easy global transactions and show trust in worldwide platforms.

- Skill development and career coaching: Provide training in more skills besides technical ones, such as soft skills and preparing a portfolio for interviews.

- Reputation management and global outreach: Managing reputation and engaging globally: Shift the focus by using stories, connections, and achievements of Nigerian virtual workers.

Paredaim Plus strives to call attention to the digital and financial hurdles faced by Nigerian professionals. We are striving for a future where remote work is accessible to all Nigerians, not only to the few. To tackle this issue, we have to face these challenges and work towards building bridges that connect Nigerian talent abroad.

The barriers to remote jobs in Nigeria are present but can be surpassed. With resolute moves, improvements at the organizational level, and teamwork, Nigeria can compete well in the worldwide remote working market.