A recruiter from a US startup says, "We've budgeted $2,000 a month for this role. Does that work for you?" Many Nigerian candidates say yes within seconds, because the number looks huge next to local pay. Some of them later find out the budget had room to go much higher, or that the real cost of doing the job from Nigeria was higher than they assumed.
This guide shows you how to work out your number, how to respond when the employer names a figure first, and how to negotiate the parts of an offer that aren't the headline amount. It's general guidance. Always read your own contract carefully.
Start with what you need, not what sounds impressive
Before any conversation, build a floor: the lowest monthly figure you can accept without resenting the job in three months. Do this in naira first, then convert at the rate you actually get when you cash out, not the rate you see on Google. The gap between the two can be large and it changes.
List the costs of working remotely that a salaried office worker in Nigeria usually doesn't carry:
- Data and a backup connection (see our guide on power and internet backup for a remote work desk).
- Fuel or battery/inverter costs for power.
- Laptop replacement, set aside monthly.
- Fees on receiving dollars: platform fees, transfer fees, and the spread on conversion.
- Pension, health insurance and leave, if you're a contractor and nobody provides them.
- Any tax you owe. Rules differ by country and by how you're engaged, so check with a qualified local tax adviser or your revenue authority.
Contractors have to pay for all of this themselves, which is why a contractor rate should usually be higher than an employee salary for the same work. Our post on contractor vs employee explains the difference.
Worked example: turning a need into a dollar floor
This is a hypothetical, with made-up numbers to show the method. Say you're a customer support specialist and you want a take-home of ₦900,000 a month after costs.
- Monthly costs you'll carry: data and power ₦120,000, equipment savings ₦40,000, health cover and pension savings ₦80,000. Total ₦240,000.
- Add a tax and fees buffer of, say, 10% of what you want to take home: ₦90,000.
- Your required monthly receipts: ₦900,000 + ₦240,000 + ₦90,000 = ₦1,230,000.
- Divide by the naira rate you realistically get when you receive and convert dollars. If that rate were ₦1,500 per dollar (an assumed figure for this example only), your floor is about $820 a month.
Now you know that $820 is the number below which the job loses money for you in real terms. Update the calculation with your actual rate and costs. Never walk into a negotiation without this floor.
Find the market range with evidence
Your floor tells you what to refuse. The market range tells you what to ask for. Those are different numbers, and the second one is usually higher.
Ways to get evidence:
- Job posts that list pay. Some remote boards and company career pages show salary bands. Note whether the band is for all countries or adjusted by location.
- Peers. Ask people in your field who work for foreign companies. Ask for a range, not an exact figure, and offer yours in return.
- The employer's own pay policy. Some remote-first companies publish how they set pay (one global rate, or location-based tiers). If it's public, read it before the call.
- Your seniority. A role with a strong portfolio and measurable results sits higher than an entry-level one, even in the same job title.
For finding the employers in the first place, see where to find remote jobs that hire from Africa.
Be honest about the pay model. Some companies pay the same for the role wherever you live. Others scale by country or city. A location-based company may offer less to a Lagos candidate than to a London one, and arguing about it rarely changes company policy. If the policy is fixed, shift your effort to the other terms in the offer.
How to answer "What are your salary expectations?"
Try to let the employer name a number first. If there's a posted range, you already know it. If not, ask politely: "Could you share the budget for this role so I can tell you whether we're aligned?" Many recruiters will answer.
If they insist you go first, give a range whose bottom is a number you'd be happy with, not your bare floor. Employers usually anchor on the bottom of a range.
Scripts you can adapt
- When they name a number that's fine: "Thank you, that's within range. Before I accept, I'd like to confirm the payment currency, schedule and method."
- When it's lower than you want: "I appreciate the offer. Based on my experience with [specific result] and the scope of this role, I was expecting something closer to $X. Is there flexibility?"
- When they say the budget is fixed: "Understood. Could we look at a review after three months, a signing bonus, or a different payment structure?"
- When asked about your current pay: "I'd rather focus on the value of this role. My Nigerian salary doesn't reflect the market for work done for an international company."
Keep the tone warm and factual. Don't apologise for asking, and don't justify with your rent or exchange-rate struggles. Employers respond to the value you bring, not to your difficulties.
Negotiate more than the monthly figure
If the number won't move, other terms may have more room. Each of these has real money value to you:
| Term | Why it matters from Nigeria | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Payment currency | Dollar pay protects you if the naira weakens, but fees apply | Confirm it's in dollars, and who pays transfer fees |
| Payment timing | Late payments disrupt rent and bills | Fixed pay date, and what happens if it slips |
| Payment method | Fees and limits differ widely between options | Ask which methods they support, then compare total cost |
| Contract type | Employee status may bring benefits; contractor status brings flexibility | Ask for benefits or a higher rate if you're a contractor |
| Equipment or internet stipend | Your work costs are real | A monthly allowance, or one-off laptop support |
| Review date | Lets you raise pay after proving yourself | A written review at 3 or 6 months |
| Paid leave and public holidays | Contractors often get none by default | Clarify what counts as paid time off |
| Notice and probation | Protects you from sudden termination | See our post on probation and notice terms |
Pay mechanics deserve their own conversation. Our guide to asking a foreign employer about pay timing and currency covers the questions in detail.
Common mistakes
- Accepting the first number on the call. Even if it's good, say you'd like to review it in writing. A day's pause costs nothing.
- Comparing the offer only with Nigerian salaries. The right comparison is what the employer pays for this work and what the work is worth to them.
- Forgetting costs. A $1,000 offer that you receive through an expensive route may leave you with noticeably less. Calculate net, not gross.
- Negotiating by message only when it matters. A short call often moves faster, but follow up in writing so nothing is verbal only.
- Not asking about scope. If the role quietly includes three jobs, a good salary can still be a bad deal. Ask what the first 90 days look like and who you report to.
- Ignoring warning signs. A real employer won't ask you to pay for equipment, training or a "processing fee" before you start. If something feels off, read our fake-offer guide first.
When your situation changes the advice
Entry-level with no remote experience. You have less leverage. Spend it on learning terms: a clear review date, a defined scope, and reliable payment. A modest rise in six months beats a failed push now. A strong portfolio improves your position.
Several offers. You can say truthfully, "I have another offer, but I prefer this role. Can you improve the package?" Only say it if it's true.
Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. The method is identical, but your costs differ: mobile money or bank fees, local taxes, social contributions and currency movements. Do the floor calculation with your own numbers. South African residents in particular should check how their engagement is treated locally before agreeing to contractor terms.
Existing job, raising your rate. If you're already working for a foreign client, the approach is different; see how to raise your rates with existing clients.
Get the agreement in writing
When you've settled, ask for a written offer or contract that states: the amount and currency, how often and on what date you're paid, who covers transfer fees, your contract type, start date, notice period, and the review date if one was agreed. Reply to confirm. If the company refuses to put pay terms in writing, treat that as a serious warning. Keep your own records from day one, as explained in our post on keeping a work log.
Frequently asked questions
Should I ask for more because I'm in Nigeria and costs are high?
Base your ask on the value of the work and the market range for the role, not on personal costs. Use your costs privately to set your floor.
Is it unprofessional to negotiate a first offer?
No. Employers usually expect a reasonable, polite counter. Do it respectfully and with specific reasons.
What if they withdraw the offer after I negotiate?
It's rare when you're courteous and reasonable. If a company withdraws over a polite question, you've learned something about working there.
Can I negotiate if the company pays by country tier?
Often not on the base rate, but you can ask about the tier assigned, a review date, bonuses or equipment support.
Your next step
Today, do the floor calculation in a notebook or spreadsheet with your own costs and the rate you really receive. Then write your range and two scripts from above, and practise them aloud once before your next call.
Always apply through the employer's official website or verified channels. Genuine employers never ask applicants to pay for a job, training, or an interview.