By Nelson John
Many people in Nigeria and across Africa believe that international publications hire only writers from the United States, Canada, or Europe. I used to believe this as well.
I thought I needed costly certifications, a journalism degree, or years of experience before anyone overseas would pay for my writing. But in the last two years, I learned that many editors just want real stories that readers can relate to.
Between 2025 and 2026, I earned approximately $750 writing personal stories about agriculture, entrepreneurship, kindness, resilience, and hope. Most of these opportunities came from simply telling my story honestly and pitching it clearly.
This is the story of how one accepted pitch led to multiple paid opportunities, the challenges I faced as a Nigerian writer receiving international payments, and the practical lessons I learned along the way.
The Article That Opened the Door
One of my most successful pitches came when I found a platform focused on work, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. At the time, I had been actively involved in agriculture through training programs, youth mentorship initiatives, and projects connected to climate change and agribusiness.
I decided to pitch a story about my transition from agricultural training into building projects and pursuing entrepreneurship. Instead of trying to sound overly formal, I focused on telling a real story — the uncertainty, the lessons, and the courage it took to keep moving forward on New Ways To Work , read about the article here From Greenhouse Trainee to Agripreneur
My pitch was simple and personal. I explained:
- The kind of work I was doing,
- My journey in agriculture,
- The challenges I faced,
- and how those experiences shaped me.
The editor connected with the story almost immediately.
What I later realized was that the article worked because it was relatable. Even though my experience was rooted in agriculture in Nigeria, the emotions inside the story — fear, growth, ambition, resilience — were universal.
That article was accepted and paid $250 USD.
Building a Relationship With the Editor
One thing many beginner freelance writers underestimate is the importance of relationships.
After the article was accepted, I remained professional throughout the process. I replied politely to emails, submitted my work on time, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity. I also stayed in touch with the editor after publication.
A few weeks later, I pitched another story.
To be honest, I did not expect the second article to be accepted. But since I had already built trust, the editor was more willing to work with me again.
That second article was also accepted for another $250 USD.
This taught me something important: freelance writing is not always about just one article. A good experience can lead to more assignments if editors like working with you.
Over time, similar opportunities continued coming in like my articles with Channel kindness From Disappointment to Purpose: How Neso Farms Was Born which I submitted 5 articles for $50 per article, and by March 2026, I had earned around $750 USD from multiple articles built around my personal experiences and journey.
The Pitching Approach That Worked for Me
One thing I noticed while pitching is that editors respond strongly to authenticity.
I did not try to imitate American writers or use complicated language. Instead, I focused on writing clearly and emotionally honestly.
Here are a few things that helped my pitches stand out:
1. I Made the Story Relatable
No matter where people come from, human beings connect through emotions and experiences.
My stories were rooted in agriculture and entrepreneurship, but the deeper themes were things everyone understands:
- struggle,
- hope,
- kindness,
- uncertainty,
- courage,
- growth.
Editors are not just looking for information. They want stories that readers can connect with emotionally.
2. I Kept My Pitch Simple
A lot of new writers make pitches more complicated than they need to be.
My successful pitches were usually straightforward:
- who I am,
- what the article is about,
- why it matters,
- and why I am the right person to write it.
I learned that editors value clear writing more than complicated language.
3. I Always Followed Up
Editors are busy people.
Sometimes a pitch is ignored simply because the editor missed the email. Sending a polite follow-up after a reasonable amount of time made a huge difference for me.
Some conversations only continued because I followed up in a professional way.
The Biggest Challenge: Receiving Payment in Nigeria
For many African freelance writers, getting published is just one part of the challenge. Getting paid can be even harder.
One major issue I faced involved payment methods.
At one point, I was paid through a gift card. Unfortunately, the gift card could only be properly used in the United States. In Nigeria, trying to redeem or exchange it would have meant losing a huge percentage of the value.
I spent time looking for alternatives but could not find a good solution.
Instead of staying silent, I reached out to the editor respectfully and explained the problem. Thankfully, the editor was understanding and agreed to send the payment through Western Union instead.
That experience taught me something important: communication is key.
Many editors are willing to help if you explain your situation in a professional way.
Wise is currently one of the simplest ways for me to receive international freelance payments in Nigeria. I used this method to get paid for this particular article, and the good news is that it took me less than 30 minutes to receive the money directly into my local account. With appropriate dollar-to-naira conversion rates, the funds can be obtained directly through banking systems.
For Nigerian writers facing similar challenges, I strongly recommend discussing payment options with editors early in the process. Depending on the publication, alternatives like:
- Wise,
- Western Union,
- Grey,
- or direct bank transfers
may work better than gift cards or unsupported payment platforms.
What Nigerian Writers Should Know
A common mistake among African writers is thinking their stories are “too local” for international publications.
In fact, your local experiences are often your biggest advantage.
Editors are constantly searching for fresh perspectives and authentic voices. Your experiences growing up, working, building projects, or overcoming challenges in Nigeria may be completely unique to readers elsewhere in the world.
The goal is not to sound foreign. The goal is to sound genuine.
You also do not need to wait until you feel “fully qualified” before pitching. Many opportunities come from simply being willing to start.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, freelance writing changed for me when I stopped trying to sound like what I imagined a “professional writer” should sound like.
The articles that earned me opportunities were the ones where I wrote honestly about my life, my work in agriculture, and my experiences navigating growth and uncertainty as a young Nigerian entrepreneur.
That authenticity helped me connect with editors, build relationships, and earn around $750 USD from opportunities that originally started with a single story.
For writers in Nigeria and across Africa, international freelance writing opportunities are possible. Where you live does not disqualify you.
Sometimes, your story is exactly what editors want.
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