Many Nigerians think freelancing is only for “experts” with 10+ years of experience, a fancy degree, and a CV that looks like a PhD thesis.
But guess what? That’s a big myth!
You don’t need to be an expert before you start freelancing. In fact, many freelancers learn on the job and improve as they go.
Let me break it down for you.
1. Do You Need a University Degree?
Short answer? No.
Nobody on Fiverr, Upwork, or Twitter will ask you for a university degree before hiring you. Clients don’t care if you studied Law, Biochemistry, or even Theatre Arts.
What do they care about? Your skill.
For example:
- If you’re a graphic designer, they want to see your designs, not your WAEC certificate.
- If you’re a writer, they want to read your samples, not your English degree.
- If you’re a web developer, they want to see a working website, not your JAMB score.
Pro Tip: Instead of worrying about your qualifications, focus on building a strong portfolio (I’ll explain more on this later).
2. How Much Experience Do You Need?
The truth? You just need to know how to do the job.
Some freelancers start with zero professional experience but land gigs because they have the right skills and confidence.
Example:
Chiamaka, a 300-level student in UNN, started freelance writing with NO official experience. She created some sample blog posts, applied for jobs on Fiverr, and got her first client within a month. Today, she makes more than ₦450k monthly!
Moral of the story? You don’t need 5 years of experience—just start!
3. What If I’ve Never Worked for a Client Before?
If you’ve never worked for a client before, don’t worry! You can still create sample projects to prove your skills.
Here’s how:
- Writer? Start a Medium blog and write about trending topics (e.g., “How to Japa from Nigeria in 2025”)
- Graphic Designer? Design Instagram posts for a fake brand and post them on Twitter.
- Web Developer? Build a small website for a local business in your area, even if it’s free.
- Video Editor? Edit short clips using CapCut or Premiere Pro and post them on TikTok.
Clients don’t care whether your past work was paid or unpaid—they just want to see that you can do the job!
Pro Tip: When applying for gigs, attach your samples so clients can see your skills in action.
4. What If I’m Not “Good Enough” Yet?
Omo, nobody starts as a pro. Even Davido once struggled with voice training, and Otedola didn’t become a billionaire overnight.
The more you practice, the better you get. The key is to start NOW and keep improving.
Here’s what you should do:
- Take free YouTube courses (there’s a tutorial for everything).
- Follow experts in your field and learn from them
- Join freelancing communities where people share job tips
- Keep practicing until you’re confident in your skills.
5. The Secret? Start Before You Feel Ready!
Many Nigerians waste years waiting to be “ready” before they start freelancing. That’s a mistake!
Nobody is ever 100% ready. The best way to learn is by doing.
Start small, take jobs within your skill level, and learn on the job. Even if you make mistakes at first, you’ll improve over time.
Before you know it, you’ll be cashing out in dollars and naira!
Final Thoughts: Just Start!
Freelancing doesn’t require 10 years of experience, a fancy degree, or a PhD in “Hustle and Bustle.”
All you need is:
- A useful skill.
- A few sample projects.
- The confidence to apply for jobs.
- A mindset that is ready to learn and improve.
If others are doing it, why not you?
Now tell me, what’s stopping you from starting freelancing today?
