By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Another tech story success in Nigeria is that many geeks among the young earn dollars developing apps or doing programming from the comfort of their homes or from an office in a tech hub without having to travel abroad.
Some would rather get out of the country. Others take heart they can at least fend for themselves with gigs from companies big and small in Europe and the United States.
There is an equivalent of Silicon Valley in the Yaba area of Lagos, home to tech startups, among them Andela, where computer graduates learn coding to work for foreign firms and earn hard currency in Nigeria.
Andela identifies Africans with an aptitude for coding and then equips them with the technical and teamwork skills they need to work remotely for technology companies in the West.
Partners range from tech giants, including IBM and Microsoft, to startups such as Everplans, an end-of-life planning platform based in New York’s Flatiron district, whose software was developed in Andela’s office in Lagos.
Other tech hubs are springing up in Enugu and Port Harcourt.
With job vacancies for developers in industrialised countries far outstripping candidates, Andela believes it has captured only a fraction of the potential demand.
“We’re solving the global technology skills gap problem,” said Nadayar Enegesi, an Andela co-founder, speaking at the company’s Lagos premises, where dozens of coders sit tapping at keyboards in near silence.
Andela is spurring the broader evolution of the Nigerian tech sector, where online payments companies and retailers have set the stage for rapid growth in e-commerce.
“The companies working with us are generally not doing it because of interest in social impact. They are doing it because they need real talent,” explained Jeremy Johnson, Andela co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Dream of earning dollars
Living in Nigeria and earning in dollars has become many people’s dream, Nairametrics says. And with the high exchange rate from dollar to naira, a few dollars will change your life for good in Nigeria and make you comfortable.
But being in Nigeria and earning in dollars doesn’t come easy because you have to know your onions.
Below are a few more ways articulated by Nairametrics through which one can earn dollars while living in Nigeria:
1. Freelancing or remote full-time Jobs
One of the top ways to earn in dollars or other foreign currencies is by freelancing or working remotely. You can get freelancing gigs as a writer, graphics designer or data analyst on freelancing platforms.
You can also apply for full-time remote jobs and work from the comfort of your home and earn in dollars.
2. Blogging or vlogging
If you can write or speak well, then you can also earn foreign currency from clients abroad who are interested in your written or video content. Blogging lets you earn from visits to your blog and advertisements.
Consider vlogging on YouTube and other platforms if you enjoy doing videos and have exciting and educational content.
3. Virtual trainer
Teachers are not left out on this list. You can earn in dollars if you enjoy teaching by simply putting courses or tutorials on different platforms online.
4. Publish e-books
Writing and publishing e-books on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or other online platforms is one of the most popular and sure ways to earn dollars from anywhere on earth, including Nigeria.
5. Translation
You are worth more than gold in 2021 if you speak foreign languages because you are exactly what many companies are looking for these days.
You can land yourself an excellent freelancing gig or remote job if you speak any language other than English.
Your local language also counts in this case because people are looking for you to do some translations.
6. Transcription
Consider being a transcriptionist and earn some cool dollars if you can pay attention to detail and type fast. You could get as much as $15 to $25 an hour for transcribing short audios.
7. App development
App developers make the most dollars. Every business owner, both home and abroad, wants an app for their business and you will make clean cash as an app developer if you put yourself out there.
You can also earn in dollars by learning new skills and selling your crafts online to those who need them abroad.
If you are very smart about it, you can grow your wealth right here in Nigeria without setting foot on a foreign soil.