Many Nigerians undersell themselves when negotiating with international employers — often out of gratitude for the opportunity or fear of losing the offer. Here's the truth: your skills have the same value regardless of where you sit. Here's how to negotiate what you deserve.
Do Your Research First
Never walk into a salary negotiation blind. Use these resources to benchmark your role:
- Glassdoor — salaries by company and role
- Levels.fyi — especially for tech roles
- Payscale — broad industry ranges
- LinkedIn Salary — filtered by title, location, and experience
- Remote.co and We Work Remotely — remote-specific salary data
Know the range. Know where you fall in it based on your experience. Then aim for the top third.
When to Bring Up Salary
Wait until the employer shows clear interest — ideally after the first interview or when they explicitly ask about your expectations. Never bring it up first. Let them make the initial offer when possible.
How to Answer "What Are Your Salary Expectations?"
Give a range, not a single number. Set the bottom of your range at the minimum you'd genuinely accept — because some employers will offer exactly that.
Example: "Based on my research and experience level, I'm targeting $1,500–$2,000/month. I'm open to discussing this based on the full package."
Don't Apologise for Your Location
Some employers — not all, but some — will attempt to pay you a "Nigerian rate" rather than a market rate. This is a negotiation tactic, not a rule. Your output, your skills, and your deliverables are identical to someone sitting in London or New York. Know this, and hold your position respectfully but firmly.
Counter-Offering Confidently
If their offer is below your range, don't accept immediately and don't reject outright. Say:
"Thank you for the offer — I'm genuinely excited about this role. Based on my experience and market research, I was expecting something closer to $X. Is there flexibility there?"
Most employers expect a counter. It's part of the process.
Look Beyond the Base Salary
- Equipment allowance — laptop, headset, monitor
- Internet stipend — $30–$50/month is common in remote roles
- Learning and development budget
- Annual leave and sick days
- Performance reviews and raise timelines
- Payment method — Payoneer, Wise, or direct bank transfer
The Power Move
If they truly cannot move on salary, ask for a 3-month performance review with a defined raise if you hit specific targets. Get it in writing. Then overdeliver — and claim that raise with documented results.
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