Can I work for a US company from Nigeria?

Yes, many US companies hire Nigerians for remote roles in tech, marketing, and administration. You just need a reliable power setup and a global-standard CV.

How do I receive my salary in Dollars in Nigeria?

Remote workers use platforms like Payoneer, Grey, or Geegpay to create virtual foreign accounts. You can then withdraw to your Nigerian bank at competitive rates.

Do I need a visa for a remote international job?

No, if you are working remotely from Nigeria for a foreign company, you do not need a work visa. You will be hired as an independent contractor.

Remote Japa: How to Get a UK or US Job While Living in Nigeria (2026 Edition)

If you’ve been on Nigerian Twitter (X) lately, you’ve probably seen the term "Remote Japa." It’s the ultimate dream, earning in Dollars or Pounds while eating 500 Naira bread in Lagos. But let’s be real landing these global roles isn’t as easy as just opening an Upwork account. In this guide, we’re breaking down the actual strategy successful Nigerians are using in 2026 to bypass the Nigeria factor and get hired by US and UK companies.

The "Japa" wave is real, but not everyone wants to go through the stress of IELTS, visa queues, or freezing in the London cold. In 2026, the smartest move is Digital Japa. Why relocate when you can stay in Nigeria, avoid the high cost of living abroad, and still earn the same salary as someone sitting in New York?

1. Stop Thinking Freelance, Start Thinking Staff

Most of our people here in Nigeria make the mistake of staying only on Upwork or Fiverr. While those are great for side hustles, Remote Japa is about landing a Full-Time Remote Role. Companies in the US and UK are now more open to Location Agnostic hiring. They don't care where you are as long as you can deliver.

Where to look: Move away from the usual sites and try We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and Wellfound (for startup roles).
LinkedIn Hack: Change your LinkedIn Open to Work preferences to Remote and set your preferred locations to United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

2. Beating the Nigeria Factor Infrastructure

Let’s be honest, the biggest fear of a foreign employer is that our light will go off or our network will fail during a meeting. To get hired, you must prove your infrastructure is Global Standard.

Pro Tip: During an interview, never mention NEPA or Data issues. Instead, mention that you have a Redundant Power System (Inverter/Solar) and Dual ISP (Fiber with 5G backup). This shows you are a professional who has invested in his career.

3. The 2026 CV Reset

If your CV still has your State of Origin and Date of Birth, you are already disqualified. Foreign companies use ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). To pass:

Use a single column, clean layout.
Focus on Impact, not just duties. Instead of saying "I managed social media," say "I grew brand engagement by 45% using AI driven content tools."
Time Zone Compatibility: Explicitly mention in your CV that you are comfortable working in EST or GMT time zones."

4. Getting Paid: No more Black Market stress

In 2026, getting your money is easier than ever. Don't rely on local bank transfers that might get held up. Most remote workers now use platforms like Payoneer, Grey.co, or Geegpay to get virtual USD/GBP accounts. This allows you to receive your salary like a local staff in London and convert it to Naira at the best rates.

5. Cultural Fluency: The Secret Sauce

Interviews with UK/US companies are different from Nigerian ones. They value Soft Skills as much as technical ones. They want to know if you can communicate clearly on Slack, if you are proactive, and if you can own your tasks without being micro managed.

Lastly: Your Next Move

The world is looking for talent, and our Nigerian talent is some of the best. The only difference between you and someone earning $5,000 a month is strategy and visibility. Stop applying to 100 local jobs and start targeting 10 global ones with a tailored approach.