Hope James
Remote jobs have always existed, especially in other parts of the world, but became widespread in Nigeria in 2020, when a vicious pandemic, coronavirus came uninvited.
Ever since, Nigerians have embraced a new order of doing things and expressing more flexibility in their working methods.
At the core of these flexibilities is an arrangement called a remote job, a work routine that involves completing tasks outside of the typical office environment, with the help of a computer system or an Android phone, anywhere and at anytime.
Employers use remote employment to navigate their protruded tasks and as good as it gets, people world over, Nigerians included, are subscribing to this pattern of completing tasks for cash.
These remote jobs are mostly computer and Internet reliant and can vary from working as a Web Designer, Social Media Manager, Customer service Representative, Virtual Assistant, Graphics Designer, Copy Editor, Copywriter, Sales Rep, Data Analyst, Software Engineer and a host of others.
A practicing lawyer, Bar Chinenye Idim who also works remotely, sees this set up as an avenue to make money from one’s skillset.
As a young lawyer who was out of school, waiting to go to law school and had nothing doing, she tried learning how to write professionally and began offering legal services to clients, which improved her income.
Another remote worker, Elizabeth Fidelis who doubles as a writing Coach and founder of an academy, explains how remote jobs have reduced the level of job hunting which can be very stressful and often require some level of experience to get a job.
She maintains that with remote jobs, you do not have to worry about being a salary earner and can be assured you have multiple streams of income and can earn however you intend to. She sees remote jobs as an opportunity to multitask.
Similarly, an Economist, Pastor Tunji Aribasoye, is of the opinion that remote jobs are a blessing.
As someone who is conversant with the economic state of the nation, especially Ekiti State, he is excited as young people in the state now work for foreign countries and earn money.
More often than not, remote jobs are easy to get as sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Jobberman, Upwork and even social media like Facebook and Twitter have made it easy to access these jobs once certain requirements are met. Interesting, the pay description is usually in dollars, making it globally competitive.
Essentially, with 37 percent unemployment statistics hanging in the balance in Nigeria and well over 77 million citizens without jobs, remote jobs are life savers – such that interested and committed Nigerians can now augment steady incomes and stretch their economic bandwidth past the rigmarole of inflation and other unpalatable realities.
Interestingly, anyone can do remote jobs, as long as there is a commitment to it. Whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee, working remotely can be an excellent way to have multiple streams of income and improve one’s standard of living.
So beyond building pleasure pyramids on social media, you can channel your data power online to make some extra bucks!