What is TikTok and Why is it Popular in Nigeria?
Understanding TikTok
TikTok is a short video-sharing app where users post videos of up to 10 minutes (though most are 15–60 seconds). It covers everything: comedy, education, dancing, lifestyle, beauty, cooking, and more.
It’s popular among Nigerian students, creatives, small business owners, influencers, and even pastors and lecturers now use it.
Why TikTok Is Growing Fast in Nigeria
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Free exposure: You can go viral with zero followers.
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Easy to use: All you need is a phone and data.
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Fast internet + cheap phones: More people can now post and watch.
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Nigerian creativity: Nigerians are naturally entertaining and know how to grab attention.
Is It Possible to Make Money on TikTok in Nigeria?
Yes, it is 100% possible. Thousands of Nigerian TikTok creators are making money every month from their content.
Even if you are not a celebrity, you can start small, grow your audience, and earn from your phone. But it takes effort, consistency, and understanding how TikTok pays creators in Nigeria.
How TikTok Pays Creators in 2025
Does TikTok Pay Nigerians Directly?
TikTok does not pay directly to Nigerian bank accounts from the Creator Fund. As of 2025:
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TikTok Creator Rewards Program is not fully available to Nigeria yet.
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But you can still earn money through other means: brand deals, affiliate marketing, selling products, etc.
What You Need to Qualify for TikTok Monetization
To start earning money on TikTok, aim for:
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10,000+ followers
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100,000+ video views in the last 30 days
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Consistent content (post at least 3–5 times per week)
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Engagement (likes, comments, shares)
10+ Proven Ways to Make Money on TikTok in Nigeria (2025)
Let’s break down every working method for Nigerians to make money on TikTok, with examples and tools.
Brand Sponsorships
What it is:
Brands pay you to promote their product in your videos.
Example:
A skincare brand pays a TikToker to show how to use their cream.
How to get deals:
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Use hashtags like #nigerianinfluencer or #tiktoknigeria
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Tag local brands
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Join influencer platforms like Billpoint, GetCraft, or Disha.
Earnings:
₦30,000 to ₦2 million per post, depending on your audience.
Affiliate Marketing on TikTok
What it is:
You promote other people’s products and earn a commission on each sale through your affiliate link.
Example:
You promote a Jumia product, and anyone who buys through your link earns you 5–10%.
Tools:
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Use Jumia KOL, Amazon Affiliate, Expertnaire, Selar Affiliate
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Use your TikTok bio link or comment section to add the affiliate link.
Selling Your Own Products or Services
What it is:
You use TikTok to promote and sell your own products.
Examples:
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A student sells Ankara bags or cakes via TikTok videos.
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A tailor shows off designs and gets custom orders.
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A tutor promotes online lessons or past question eBooks.
How to start:
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Create a business account
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Add your WhatsApp or website link in bio
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Add “DM to order” in your video captions
TikTok LIVE Gifts and Diamonds
What it is:
Fans send you gifts during your TikTok LIVE, which you can convert to money.
Requirements:
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1,000+ followers
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Age 18+
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You must go live often
Earnings:
You get Diamonds that can be cashed out through PayPal or gift card exchanges.
Content Creation for Other People
If you’re good at TikTok but don’t want to show your face, you can create content for small brands or influencers.
Example:
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Help a business record and edit their TikTok videos.
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Get paid monthly or per video.
Tools to help:
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CapCut (free video editing)
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Canva (for graphics)
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Fiverr or Upwork (to find clients)
Becoming a TikTok Manager
What it is:
Manage a TikTok account for a business. You handle content, comments, ideas.
Who can do this?
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Students who know trends and content.
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Social media managers.
How much can you earn?
₦50,000 to ₦300,000/month depending on the brand.
Driving Traffic to YouTube or Instagram
You can use TikTok to grow other platforms where you make money.
Example:
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Grow TikTok, then push people to your YouTube (which pays from ads).
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Or link to your Instagram to get brand deals.
Becoming a TikTok Influencer
If you grow to 100,000+ followers, you can be called a micro or macro influencer.
Brands will reach out to you directly for deals.
Tip: Pick a niche (e.g., fashion, comedy, motivation) and grow fast.
Selling TikTok Accounts or Pages
You can grow niche TikTok pages (e.g., football edits, quote pages) and sell them to people.
Note: This may go against TikTok’s policy, so do it carefully.
Selling Digital Products via TikTok
Create and sell digital goods like:
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E-books
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Courses
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Design templates
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Music beats
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Wallpapers
Use platforms like Selar, Payhip, Gumroad to host your product.
TikTok Ads (For Businesses)
If you have a small business, you can run TikTok ads to get more customers.
Even if you don’t earn from views, you make sales.
Best Niches for TikTok in Nigeria
Here are top niches that go viral and can make money in Nigeria:
| Niche | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Comedy | Nigerians love humor, very shareable |
| Fashion | TikTokers love outfits, makeup |
| Motivation | Daily quotes, tips, life advice do well |
| Tech Reviews | People trust influencers for buying advice |
| Beauty / Skincare | Always trending among women |
| Cooking / Food | Nigerian recipes go viral easily |
| Small Business | People love seeing hustle and growth |
| Education | WAEC, JAMB tips or language learning |
| Relationship Advice | Always gets engagement |
| Sports | Football edits and predictions perform well |
How to Grow Your TikTok Following in Nigeria
Step-by-Step Guide to Get More Followers
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Post at the right time:
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Best times in Nigeria: 11am, 3pm, 8pm
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Use Nigerian hashtags:
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Examples: #NaijaTikTok, #MadeInNigeria, #NigeriaComedy
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Follow trends but add your style
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Use popular songs
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Engage with your comments
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Post 1–3 videos daily
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Create series or episodes
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Use storytelling format
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Reply to comments with videos
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Share your TikTok link on WhatsApp and Facebook
How to Get Paid as a Nigerian TikTok Creator
Options for Receiving Money in Nigeria
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| PayPal | Use business PayPal (works for Nigerians now via Payoneer trick or foreign partner) |
| Payoneer | Best for foreign payments from brands |
| Domiciliary Account | Use to receive international payments |
| Gift Card to Naira Sites | Sell LIVE gift cards for cash |
| Barter by Flutterwave | Used for dollar payments |
| Wise.com | Foreign account + good exchange rate |
Pros and Cons of Making Money on TikTok
Pros
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No capital needed to start
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Can go viral quickly
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Many income streams
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Great for creative people
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Can work from your phone anywhere
Cons
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Internet costs money
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It takes time to grow
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Not everyone gets views
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Some niches are very competitive
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You may get banned if you break TikTok rules
Comparison Table of TikTok Monetization Methods
| Method | Skill Needed | Earnings Potential | Fast to Start? | Good for Beginners? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Deals | Medium | High | Slow | Yes |
| Affiliate Marketing | Low | Medium to High | Fast | Yes |
| Selling Products | Medium | High | Fast | Yes |
| TikTok LIVE Gifts | Low | Low to Medium | Fast | Yes |
| Content for Others | High | Medium | Slow | No |
| TikTok Manager | Medium | Medium | Medium | Yes |
| Influencer Status | High | Very High | Slow | No |
| Digital Products | Medium | High | Fast | Yes |
Conclusion
TikTok is now one of the easiest ways for Nigerians to make money online in 2025. You don’t need a rich uncle or big budget. All you need is your phone, your voice, and your time.
Choose your niche, grow your account, and pick a monetization method that fits your style.
Whether you’re a student in university or a 9–5 worker, you can use TikTok to earn extra income, build a brand, or even become a full-time content creator.
Don’t wait to go viral—start posting today.