What should you charge as a freelancer in Nigeria — or what should you budget if you're hiring one? This guide pulls together realistic 2026 Naira rates for the most common freelance services in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and remote work for international clients. Use it as a benchmark, not a ceiling: your portfolio, niche, and client type matter more than any table.
How freelance pricing works in Nigeria
Nigerian freelancers typically price in one of three ways:
- Hourly — common for retainers, consulting, and ongoing work.
- Per project / fixed fee — the default for websites, brand identity, and one-off content packages.
- Monthly retainer — common for social media management, SEO, and virtual assistants.
Rates split sharply between local clients (priced in Naira, sensitive to SME budgets) and international clients (priced in USD, benchmarked to global Upwork/Contra rates). The same designer might charge ₦250,000 for a Lagos SME logo and $800 for a US startup — both are correct for their market.
Web development rates
- Landing page (single page, CMS-free): ₦150,000 – 450,000 (~$100 – 300)
- Small business website (5–8 pages, WordPress or similar): ₦450,000 – 1,500,000 (~$300 – 1,000)
- E-commerce store (Shopify / WooCommerce, up to 50 products): ₦1,200,000 – 4,500,000 (~$800 – 3,000)
- Custom web app (React/Next.js, auth, dashboard): ₦3,000,000 – 12,000,000+ (~$2,000 – 8,000+)
- Hourly (mid-level full-stack): ₦12,000 – 35,000 / hr (~$8 – 25)
Design rates (brand, UI/UX, graphics)
- Logo design (1–3 concepts, basic brand mark): ₦80,000 – 350,000 (~$50 – 250)
- Full brand identity (logo, palette, typography, basic guidelines): ₦350,000 – 1,500,000 (~$250 – 1,000)
- UI/UX design (mobile app, ~10 screens): ₦500,000 – 2,500,000 (~$350 – 1,800)
- Social media graphics pack (10 posts): ₦60,000 – 200,000 (~$40 – 140)
- Hourly (mid-level designer): ₦8,000 – 25,000 / hr (~$6 – 18)
Content writing & copywriting
- Blog post (800–1,200 words, SEO-optimised): ₦25,000 – 120,000 (~$18 – 80)
- Long-form article (2,000+ words, researched): ₦80,000 – 300,000 (~$55 – 200)
- Website copy (full small-business site, 5 pages): ₦200,000 – 700,000 (~$140 – 500)
- Email sequence (welcome / launch, 5 emails): ₦120,000 – 450,000 (~$80 – 300)
- Per word (mid-level writer): ₦40 – 200 / word (~$0.03 – 0.15)
Social media management
- Single platform, content + posting (monthly retainer): ₦120,000 – 400,000 / mo (~$80 – 280)
- Multi-platform (3 platforms, content + engagement + reporting): ₦350,000 – 1,200,000 / mo (~$250 – 800)
- Paid ads management (Meta / Google, % of spend or flat): ₦200,000 – 800,000 / mo (~$140 – 550) or 10–20% of ad spend
Video & photography
- Short-form video editing (Reels / TikTok, per video): ₦20,000 – 80,000 (~$15 – 55)
- Brand / product video (1–2 minutes, scripted): ₦350,000 – 1,500,000 (~$250 – 1,000)
- Product photography (half-day, Lagos): ₦150,000 – 500,000 (~$100 – 350)
- Event coverage (full day, photo + edited gallery): ₦250,000 – 1,200,000 (~$170 – 800)
What makes a Nigerian freelancer charge more
- Niche specialisation — fintech, healthtech, and B2B SaaS pay 30–80% above general SME rates.
- International client base — pricing in USD typically lands you 2–4× the equivalent local Naira rate.
- Portfolio quality — published case studies with measurable outcomes beat raw years of experience.
- Speed and reliability — clear scopes, fast turnaround, and clean handoff command premium fees.
How to benchmark your own rate
- Pick the closest service category above and start at the middle of the range.
- Adjust up if you have 3+ years' experience, a strong portfolio, or work with international clients.
- Adjust down only if you're still building your first 5–10 case studies — never go below your operating cost.
- Quote a scope, not an hourly number. Clients buy outcomes; hourly quotes invite negotiation.
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A note on these numbers
Rates above reflect mid-2026 market observations across Lagos, Abuja, and remote freelance marketplaces. They are indicative ranges, not fixed prices. Always price against your actual scope, client size, and delivery timeline.