Top Mistakes Nigerian Freelancers Make – And How to Avoid Them

primaraldinternshi
Apr 8
5 min read

Updated: Apr 9

Person with head down at a cluttered desk with papers, a laptop, and cup noodles under a lamp. Papers have bold text, appearing stressed.

Top Mistakes Nigerian Freelancers Make

You finally got your first gig on Upwork after weeks of sending out proposals. The client is from Canada, and your heart races with excitement finally, international dollars! You work hard, submit on time, and wait for feedback. Days pass. Then it hits you: your payment wasn't processed because you didn’t set up your withdrawal method properly. Painful, right?

Welcome to the reality many Nigerian freelancers face. The freelance world can be liberating, but without the right knowledge, it can also feel like walking through a minefield blindfolded. Nigeria is bursting with talented youths, but talent alone doesn't guarantee success in freelancing. This post dives deep into the biggest mistakes Nigerian freelancers make and how you can steer clear of them. Whether you’re just starting out or already in the game, let’s walk through the storm together, and find the sunshine on the other side. Now let's dive into the top mistakes Nigerian freelancers make.

1. Ignoring the Power of a Niche

Many freelancers start by branding themselves as jack of all trades. From writing to designing to translating to voiceovers, they do it all. But in a saturated market, being everything often makes you invisible. Clients want specialists, not generalists. Think of it like going to a doctor: if you have an eye issue, do you want a general practitioner or an optometrist?

Sunny scenario: Chinedu, a student in Enugu, started off offering five services on Fiverr. He barely got noticed. After niching down to "UX writing for mobile apps," not only did his gigs rank higher, but he also doubled his rates and landed a client in Spain. Moral? Pick a lane and own it.

2. Underpricing Services Out of Desperation

One of the most common mistakes? Pricing too low just to get a job. It’s understandable. You want reviews. You want to be competitive. But when you underprice, you attract low-quality clients and burn yourself out. Worse, you create a perception that your work isn’t valuable.

Relatable moment: Have you ever charged $10 for a job that took you three days and still got a client saying, “This isn’t what I expected”? It stings. Price based on your value, not your location.

3. Poor Communication Skills

Man in a gray shirt attentively participates in a video call on a computer, jotting notes. Bright room, wooden table, and a plant visible.

Freelancing isn’t just about skills, it’s about building trust. And that starts with communication. Some Nigerian freelancers write emails like they’re texting their friends or ignore client messages for days. That’s a fast ticket to losing a job.

A better approach is to respond professionally, even if your client is informal. Confirm details, ask relevant questions, and update regularly. A quick “Hi [Client’s Name], just updating you that the draft is 50% complete. Will send the full version by Friday,” goes a long way in building client trust.

4. Not Setting Up Reliable Payment Methods

Man in white shirt using laptop in a dimly lit room, looking concerned. Speech bubble reads, "Your payment failed. No valid payment method!"

You’d be shocked how many freelancers do great work but then struggle to receive their money. Payoneer, Wise, Grey, and even direct PayPal alternatives now make things easier. Yet, many don’t take the time to set these up properly, or fall for scams promising “PayPal accounts that work in Nigeria.”

Sunny scenario: Blessing, a virtual assistant in Abuja, once completed a $300 gig but had no way to receive the money. After crying (literally), she did her research and got a verified Payoneer account. Now, she gets paid smoothly and even teaches others. Don’t wait till it’s too late, set up your payment channels from day one.

5. Copying and Pasting Generic Proposals

“Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to express my interest in your job post. I am confident I can deliver…” STOP. Clients see hundreds of these daily. They can smell a copied proposal from a mile away.

A better approach for this is to personalize every proposal. Mention the client’s name (if available), refer to their project specifics, and briefly state how you’ll solve their problem. One solid, tailored proposal is worth more than ten lazy ones.

6. Neglecting Self-Marketing and Portfolio

Imagine trying to convince someone to hire you without showing your past work, not very convincing, right? Many freelancers don’t invest in building an online presence or showcasing a proper portfolio.

What you should do rather, is to create a simple Google Drive folder, Behance page, or a personal website. Post your achievements on LinkedIn. Even if you’re new, do sample work and display it. People need to see what you can do.

7. Chasing Foreign Clients Only

There’s a myth that only international gigs are worth it. While foreign jobs can pay well, local clients are also valuable. Many Nigerian brands, startups, and entrepreneurs now understand the value of remote work.

Relatable gist: Tunde avoided Nigerian clients for months until he accepted a job from a Lagos-based startup that paid ₦350,000 monthly for part-time social media management. Now he balances both local and international gigs. Don’t underestimate the value at home.

8. Failing to Upgrade Skills

Tech evolves. What was hot in 2020 might be outdated today. Freelancers who fail to evolve get left behind. If you’re a web designer still stuck on WordPress 2015, or a copywriter who doesn’t understand SEO, you’ll struggle.

Solution: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and even YouTube offer free or affordable ways to learn. Schedule time weekly to grow. Your competition is doing it, so should you.

9. Overworking Without Boundaries

Man in office, staring at a tall stack of paperwork with a concerned expression. Desk with lamp, organized shelves, and a clock in the background.

As a freelancer, you may feel the urge to say yes to everything. More jobs, more money, right? Until burnout hits. Working 18-hour days, taking calls at midnight, and skipping meals isn’t the flex you think it is.

True-life vibes: Amanda, a graphic designer in Port Harcourt, once fainted after working non-stop to meet five client deadlines. She now sets office hours, uses scheduling tools, and takes Sundays off. Your health is your real hustle.

10. Not Building Long-Term Client Relationships

Some freelancers focus only on the current job and ghost once paid. But long-term clients bring steady income, referrals, and stability. Don’t just complete tasks, care about the client’s success. Follow up. Ask for feedback. Offer suggestions.

Freelancing isn’t just a side hustle; it’s a journey filled with lessons, tears, triumphs, and sunny days. Nigeria has a sea of talent waiting to shine globally, and if you're reading this, you're part of that wave. But success requires more than talent. It demands intentional actions, discipline, and constant growth.

If you've made some of these mistakes, you're not alone. We all start somewhere. What matters is how you bounce back. Now’s the time to rethink your strategy, refine your skills, and relaunch your freelance career with confidence. Don’t let mistakes define you, let them refine you.

Have you experienced any of these freelance pitfalls? Share your story in the comments. Someone out there needs to hear it. And if this post helped you, pass it on, together, let’s raise the bar for Nigerian freelancers!