The economy is very volatile right now, and creators are diversifying their income and taking their talents beyond the shores of the countries they live in. With the instability of currencies like the Naira, creators and freelancers in Nigeria understand the importance of earning in foreign currency to establish some stability in their finances and mitigate against the stress of living day to day and surviving on income that is often less than enough. 

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For people earning in Naira, the math often doesn’t math. Nigeria’s minimum wage currently stands at ₦70,000 per month (about $46), an amount that barely covers basic living expenses. That’s why those with transferable skills, writers, designers, developers, marketers, and content creators, are increasingly seeking part-time gigs in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and the UAE, where earnings are higher, and work is often remote-friendly.

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The dream of many people is financial stability, and that dream is more quickly actualised when multiple streams of income are available. Your single income might make you rich, but multiple incomes will make you rich quicker, and it’s not always about luck; it’s about knowing where to look, how to position yourself, and what tools to use.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to add another income stream, this guide is for you.

Why do you need a part-time gig?

1. Buffer against the economy:  While a few hundred dollars might not mean much to someone living abroad, it will be the equivalent of a few hundred thousand in Naira, which will be able to tide you over against the economic instability, giving you some room to save more, and also grow your investment and meet your needs with ease. 
2. Flexible hours: One of the main reasons people get side gigs is the advantage of flexible work hours and the ability to do many other things alongside them. Many international gigs are remote, which means you’ll be able to balance them with other responsibilities.
3. Global experience: Working with clients abroad will give you an edge in the job market, improve your confidence and increase your hireability. 
4. Professional growth: Working with teams across the world will introduce you to people from diverse cultures and time zones, teaching you how to collaborate effectively, while also increasing your value.

Step 1 — Know what you can offer?

Before you start your search, get clear on what you can offer. Ask yourself these questions:

• What skill(s) can I use remotely?
  
  
• Do I have a portfolio, resume, or previous work experience to show?
  
  
• What time do I realistically have to commit to a part-time gig?
  
  

Some in-demand remote-friendly skills include:

• Graphic design
  
  
• Social media management
  
  
• Video editing
  
  
• Writing and editing
  
  
• Customer support
  
  
• Virtual assistance
  
  
• UI/UX design
  
  
• Web development
  
  
• Data entry
  
  
• Marketing and email automation
  
  
• Teaching/tutoring
  
  

READ: 8 Ways Digital Creators Are Making Money Online 

Step 2: Build your online presence

The people who speak up about what they do online are often the easiest to find. Clients and employers abroad are more likely to see or trust you if you have a digital footprint. 

You should have —

• A LinkedIn profile that clearly states what you do
  
  
• A portfolio site or Google Drive folder with samples of your work
  
  
• A well-tailored CV/resume for freelance/remote gigs
  
  
• An active presence on platforms like Twitter, Instagram or Behance (especially for creative work)
  
  

How to build a personal brand as a freelancer

Step 3: Know where to look

Finding part-time gigs abroad is all about looking in the right places. Some trusted platforms to explore include:

• Upwork — Competitive but worth the effort once you build credibility.
  
  
• Fiverr — Great for selling specific services
  
  
• Toptal — Curated for top-tier freelancers, but requires passing a test.
  
  

Some other remote job boards are

• We Work Remotely
  
• Remote OK
  
• FlexJobs
• AngelList Talent
  
• Otta
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Find your people and build communities.

• Contra — Great for creatives
  
  
• SolidGigs — Curates high-quality freelance jobs
  
  
• LinkedIn — Contrary to what a lot of people might think, LinkedIn is still a great platform to find work as a freelancer. Search “part-time remote” or “freelance” jobs.
  
  
• Twitter/X — This is slightly different from the others. Talk a lot about what you do, and you’ll both find and attract the people who need you. 

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Step 4: Apply wisely

When applying for gigs abroad, personalisation matters. They need to know who you are, what you do, and why they should choose you from a sea of several other talents worldwide. 

• Read the job description properly.
  
  
• Address the client or hiring manager by name.
  
  
• Speak directly about how you can solve their problem and previous problems of that kind that you’ve solved in the past.
  
  
• Add links to previous and relevant work.
  
  
• Keep your tone professional but human.
  
  

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Step 5: Get paid

Now you’ve got the job, what’s next? You need to make sure getting paid is easy, fast, and reliable. That’s where Pesa comes in.

Whether it’s a $50 design job or a $500 monthly retainer, Pesa helps you access your money with zero stress, so you can focus on what matters: doing great work.

With Pesa, you can:

• Receive payments in USD, GBP, EUR, or CAD
  
  
• Get paid directly from platforms or via bank transfers.
  
  
• Convert to Naira instantly at competitive rates.
  
  
• Withdraw to your local account without hassle.