How to Get Paid by a US Company as a Remote Worker in Nigeria
Have a remote offer from a US or UK company and live in Nigeria? Here are the three ways you can get paid — contractor, EOR employee, or your own company — what each means for your taxes and benefits, and what to ask the employer.
Updated July 8, 2026 • Verified current for 2026
Some links on this page may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our editorial picks are independent — we recommend what we'd use ourselves.
A US or UK company can pay you in Nigeria in three ways: as an independent contractor (you invoice the company and handle your own Nigerian taxes and registrations), as an Employer of Record employee (a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in Nigeria on the company’s behalf, running local payroll and statutory benefits — where the provider covers Nigeria), or through your own registered company. For a single hire, contractor or EOR are the usual routes. You’re generally taxed in Nigeria, not the US; a US client will typically ask you to complete IRS Form W-8BEN. Confirm your tax position with a local professional.
The Three Ways You Can Get Paid
1. Independent contractor
You invoice the company (usually in USD) and are self-employed in Nigeria, handling your own tax registration and filings. What it means for you: more take-home up front and freedom to keep multiple clients, but no employer benefits or paid leave, and all the admin is yours. Price your rate to cover taxes and the benefits an employer would otherwise provide. See invoicing a US company as an international contractor.
2. EOR employee
A provider such as Deel, Remote, or Multiplier can employ you through a local entity on the company’s behalf — where the provider covers Nigeria, which varies, so it’s worth checking two or three. What it means for you: a local employment contract, payslips, statutory benefits, and tax handled at source. The employer pays the EOR fee and contributions, which can affect the gross salary offered. See what an EOR means for you.
3. Your own company
You can bill through your own registered Nigerian company. This mainly suits people already running a services business; for a single employment-like relationship, a contractor arrangement or EOR is usually simpler.
The Nigeria-Specific Things to Sort Out
Structural checklist to confirm with a local tax professional — rules and available routes change, so don’t treat these as final:
- Tax registration and filing. As a contractor you’re responsible for registering and filing your own taxes with the relevant Nigerian tax authorities; as an EOR employee, tax is handled through payroll.
- Receiving foreign currency. A domiciliary (foreign-currency) account is a common way Nigerians hold USD earnings; transfer services like Payoneer and Wise are used where supported for your route. Options and costs change — check current routes with your bank.
- Cost of getting paid. Compare the total cost of each method (fees plus the exchange-rate spread), and agree who absorbs it. Our guide on the best ways to receive international payments compares the options.
What to Ask the Employer
- Which rail — contractor or EOR employee?
- If EOR, does the provider cover Nigeria, and which one?
- If contractor, what’s the rate, and does it cover your taxes and lack of benefits?
- Currency and who absorbs conversion on each payment?
If you’d prefer employment and they’ve offered contractor status, see how to ask your employer to hire you via an EOR. If an EOR can’t cover Nigeria for your case, here are your options.
Landing a remote role from Nigeria?
Guides on getting paid, taxes, and EOR for Nigerian remote workers — plus openings you can apply to. Free, weekly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Nigeria?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and handle your own Nigerian taxes and registrations. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in Nigeria on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own registered company. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign, and check EOR coverage for Nigeria with the provider.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Nigeria?
Generally you're taxed in Nigeria, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Nigerian obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local tax professional.
How do I receive USD from a US company in Nigeria?
Many Nigerian remote workers receive foreign earnings into a domiciliary (foreign-currency) account, or via transfer services such as Payoneer or Wise where supported for your route. Bank and transfer costs and available options change, so check current routes with your bank and compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread. Agree with the company who absorbs the transfer cost before your first payment.
Can a US company employ me in Nigeria through an EOR?
Often yes, but coverage varies by provider — not every EOR operates in every country, and Nigeria may or may not be supported by a given platform. The practical step is to have the employer check two or three providers, since their country lists differ. If no EOR covers Nigeria for your case, a well-structured contractor arrangement is usually the remaining route. Confirm any legal specifics with a local professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a US company pay a remote worker in Nigeria?
Three common ways. As an independent contractor, you invoice the company and handle your own Nigerian taxes and registrations. As an Employer of Record (EOR) employee, a provider like Deel or Remote employs you in Nigeria on the company's behalf, running local payroll, tax, and statutory benefits while you work for the US company. Or you bill through your own registered company. Which one applies changes your taxes, benefits, and job security — confirm it before you sign, and check EOR coverage for Nigeria with the provider.
Do I pay US taxes working for a US company from Nigeria?
Generally you're taxed in Nigeria, where you're a tax resident, on income for work performed there — not in the US. A US company will usually ask you, as a non-US contractor, to complete IRS Form W-8BEN certifying your foreign status, and generally won't withhold US income tax on work done entirely outside the US. Your Nigerian obligations still apply. Confirm your specific position with a local tax professional.
How do I receive USD from a US company in Nigeria?
Many Nigerian remote workers receive foreign earnings into a domiciliary (foreign-currency) account, or via transfer services such as Payoneer or Wise where supported for your route. Bank and transfer costs and available options change, so check current routes with your bank and compare the total cost — fees plus the exchange-rate spread. Agree with the company who absorbs the transfer cost before your first payment.
Can a US company employ me in Nigeria through an EOR?
Often yes, but coverage varies by provider — not every EOR operates in every country, and Nigeria may or may not be supported by a given platform. The practical step is to have the employer check two or three providers, since their country lists differ. If no EOR covers Nigeria for your case, a well-structured contractor arrangement is usually the remaining route. Confirm any legal specifics with a local professional.
Continue Reading
Contractor vs EOR Employee: Which Should You Ask For?
You can be paid by a foreign employer as an independent contractor or as an EOR employee. Here's the honest worker's-side tradeoff — take-home pay, benefits, taxes, and job security — and how to decide which to ask for.
How to Invoice a US Company as an International Contractor
A practical, structural guide to invoicing a US company from abroad: what a compliant invoice includes, the W-8BEN form, how to get paid, and how to keep clean records — without the tax-rate guesswork.
Best Ways to Receive International Payments as a Remote Worker
Getting paid from a company abroad? Compare the real ways to receive international payments — bank wire, Wise, Payoneer, PayPal, and contractor platforms — on cost, speed, and what to watch for as a remote worker or contractor.
Get matched remote openings, weekly
Live openings for your role, boards that accept your country, and what they pay. Every Tuesday, free.