If you’ve ever wondered how people make money online in Nigeria without owning a product, affiliate marketing is probably the answer you’ve been looking for.
In simple terms, affiliate marketing is the process of earning a commission by promoting other people’s products. You share a unique link, someone clicks and makes a purchase, and you get paid. Sounds easy, right? Well, it can be—if you know what you’re doing.
With Nigeria’s booming digital economy and more brands going online, affiliate marketing is quickly becoming one of the easiest ways for everyday Nigerians—students, creators, small business owners, and even full-time employees—to earn extra income from home.
All you need is a phone, internet access, and a basic understanding of how affiliate marketing works.
But here’s the catch: while the opportunities are real, so are the challenges. From picking the right affiliate programs, to building trust with an audience, and consistently promoting without being “salesy,” there’s a bit of a learning curve. That’s where this guide comes in.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about affiliate marketing in Nigeria—what it is, how it works, the best programs to join, and how to actually get people to click and buy through your links.
And yes—we’ll also show you how tools like MailDrip.io can help you automate your affiliate efforts and grow your income without spending all day online.
What Is Affiliate Marketing?
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based model. You, the affiliate, promote a company’s product or service and earn a percentage (commission) for every sale, lead, or action that comes through your referral link.
Think of it like recommending a great restaurant to a friend—only in this case, you get paid if they go eat there.
In Nigeria, affiliate marketing is especially popular because:
- It has a low entry barrier (no startup capital required)
- It can be done part-time or full-time
- Many global and local affiliate programs are open to Nigerians
You don’t need a blog, a massive social media following, or advanced tech skills. All you need is a plan—and consistency.
How Does Affiliate Marketing Work?
Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Join an Affiliate Program
You sign up for a company’s affiliate program (like Amazon, Jumia, or Paystack). They give you a special tracking link. - Promote the Product
You share that link with your audience—through blog posts, WhatsApp, social media, YouTube, or email. - Earn a Commission
When someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. It could be a fixed amount or a percentage of the sale.
Best Affiliate Programs That Work in Nigeria
You don’t need to limit yourself to only Nigerian brands. A few reliable affiliate platforms that work in Nigeria include:
- Expertnaire – Digital products made for Nigerians by Nigerians. Great commissions (sometimes 50%+).
- Jumia Affiliate Program – Nigeria’s biggest eCommerce site.
- Amazon Associates – Ideal for content creators or bloggers with international audiences.
- Selar – A digital product platform with affiliate tools.
- Bluehost, Namecheap, Canva, MailDrip.io – Trusted international platforms that accept Nigerian affiliates.
Tip: Always read the terms. Some platforms require you to reach a minimum amount before you can withdraw your earnings.
How Do I Start Affiliate Marketing in Nigeria?
Here’s a practical guide you can follow:
1. Choose a Niche
Pick a category you understand or are interested in—like finance, tech, health, fashion, or online business. Don’t try to promote everything; focus on solving one problem for one audience.
2. Pick the Right Products
Don’t just chase high commission. Look for quality products that:
- Have demand in Nigeria
- Have a good reputation
- Solve real problems
3. Sign Up for Affiliate Programs
Most programs are free to join. Once accepted, you’ll get a dashboard with your links and reports.
4. Build a Platform
This is where most beginners go wrong—they promote links without building trust.
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You can use:
- Instagram or TikTok to make short helpful videos
- YouTube for tutorials or reviews
- A blog if you like writing
- Email marketing (with MailDrip.io) to send valuable content to your audience consistently
No matter the platform, make sure you’re giving value first. People buy from those they trust.
5. Use Email to Automate Promotion (with MailDrip.io)
This is where many Nigerian affiliates level up. Instead of always chasing new leads, you build an email list and let email automation do the selling for you.
With MailDrip.io, you can:
- Collect leads through simple forms
- Send drip email sequences automatically
- Share affiliate links in a natural way
- Schedule campaigns daily, weekly, or monthly
- Only pay when you send (PAYG pricing model)
You don’t need to be a tech expert. MailDrip was built with simplicity in mind—especially for creators, solopreneurs, and affiliate marketers.
If you’re promoting a product, you can set up a 5-day email sequence:
- Day 1: Welcome and introduce yourself
- Day 2: Share a relatable story
- Day 3: Talk about the product and how it helped you
- Day 4: Answer objections
- Day 5: Make a soft offer with your affiliate link
That’s how you build trust and convert subscribers into buyers—on autopilot.
How Do You Get Paid?
Affiliate platforms pay through:
- Bank transfer (for local platforms)
- PayPal, Payoneer, or Wise (for global platforms)
Make sure you have at least one global payment method set up. Wise and Payoneer are commonly used by Nigerian affiliates.
FAQs
1. Is affiliate marketing legal in Nigeria?
Yes, it’s completely legal. Just make sure you disclose your affiliate links and promote honestly.
2. How much can I earn?
It depends on your niche, consistency, and traffic. Some Nigerians make ₦20,000/month as a side hustle; others earn over ₦1 million monthly full-time.
3. Do I need a website?
No, but having one helps build authority. You can also start with social media and email lists.
4. Can I use paid ads to promote affiliate links?
Yes, but be careful. Some programs don’t allow direct linking from ads. Always read their policy.
5. Can I use WhatsApp or Telegram to promote?
Absolutely. Many Nigerian affiliates start by sharing helpful posts and links in their WhatsApp status or Telegram groups.
Final Thoughts
Affiliate marketing in Nigeria is no longer a secret hustle—it’s a smart way to earn from content you’re already sharing. But the difference between people who make money and those who don’t? Strategy, patience, and tools that simplify the process.
That’s why platforms like MailDrip.io are essential. You don’t have to manually follow up with every lead or worry about sounding too pushy. With drip sequences, you can educate, build trust, and promote—all without being online 24/7.
If you’ve been thinking about starting affiliate marketing or scaling what you already do, now’s the time. Start small, stay consistent, and use the right tools to grow.
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So—what’s stopping you from starting affiliate marketing in Nigeria today?
