₦airaland Forum

247Hustler:
Going solo: using freelancing to finance the dream

At the point of quitting my HR job in Lagos, I decided to create an account on Upwork. The site was easy to create an account but I found it difficult to decide what to include and not include so I could make my profile attractive to clients. Nonetheless, I read a couple of things online and used the information to set up my account, and then left the account as there was no time to apply for jobs.

However, a few weeks after I resigned from my job, I got invited for a permanent job that would pay about eight hundred thousand naira (#800,000) per month. It was a US-based company and the client was willing to hire many people for the same role. Since I have never submitted any proposal in the past, I struggled on what to include and not include in the proposal. Due to my inexperience, I couldn’t write a good proposal and answered the screening questions poorly. This made me the only one that did not get the job out the four of us that were invited to apply. Although I didn’t get the job, I was happy I was considered. Then I continued to apply on both LinkedIn and Upwork. I got two other ones around October and November but didn’t earn anything from them.

In December 2021, I was back in Ogun State and penniless again, but this time like the proverbial prodigal son, broke and penniless. My aunt cried when she saw me because she thought I needed stability and I was not going to achieve that with my pattern of life that was filled with costly adventures. She didn’t understand why I couldn’t just continue with my job on the Island since the pay was not totally bad for someone with that year of experience. But for me, it was just a transitional phase towards something bigger.

From January 2022, I became more aggressive with my application, and by the middle of February, I landed a gig with a company in the US. This job took about two months and I earned about one million naira (#1,000,000) for the first time by the end of the project. I later got another long-term project with a company in Ireland. I got other big projects that I declined because they would run throughout the whole year and I was expecting to leave the country before then. Overall and for the first time ever, I made about three million naira (#3,000,000) from freelancing within seven months!

Woooow! Wooow! This part was like when will smith landed that deal in pursuit of happiness.. that part made me cry like a baby…. Cry of joy though 😅😅

GreatKingg:
Bro, that @omoluabiguy is kinda correct a lil bit sha oo... but he shouldn't have used the word suffer... see ehn, he was quite right.... reality will start to set in... but since you survive naija, you go surely survive this one too... nah only time... your first few months go surely rough... except you get correct men, I mean real correct men wey go help you navigate this phase... cos nah on student visa you dey, and your working hours dey limited... and as for the humiliation, hmmm, you go take a lot of things ooooo, but again, nah time... just put your head down, find better hustle wey you go fit take dey pay your bills for the time being, then take better career training, and hope for better days... talk to correct men around your area, dem go help with advise on how to go about getting a job for now.... but don't get too comfortable in those jobs, cos there's a lot of better paying jobs out here... you just got to take the right trainings and certifications, invest more time in developing yourself, then you should be good... you see that your naija school certificate wey you think say na scam/waste so, you will come to find out say nah GOLD....

There’s not much his naija certificate would do for him here. I have never seen or came across any job in America that asks about your certificates, all they want to know is what skills you got. As a hustler from Naija, if you made it to yankee, it’s like a second chance for you in life to rebuild and restrategize your life

Henryfocoyo:
what are you saying, they use to sell Toyota Corolla in 2013 for 500k, I deal on car's

Who asked you if u dealing with a car or not. I just told you the amount I bought my own car that year and I'm 100% sure that ur 500k Corolla must be 5th hand car cos I sold my Honda Baby boy #520k that same year

247Hustler:
The road to America

By the end of March 2022, I have received responses for all my school applications. I have four total offers with one being funded. I was very happy but I decided to keep calm as I have read several cases of people being denied visas at the embassy.

I proceeded to arrange for the payment of my SEVIS and visa fees. I had a little delay with the payment of my SEVIS fee, so I could not pay on time. For this reason, I missed the early dates that were released for the interview. When the money was finally paid, I started looking for interview dates in Abuja. This process was arguably one of the hardest as dates were always not available. After a series of sleepless nights and sleeping on my computer keyboard, I managed to get a date that was a few days to resumption. I picked this date and began my preparation for the visa interview.

When it was two days before my interview, I left Ogun State for Abuja by road. Prior to this time, I have read news of kidnappings on the road. Although the news greatly disturbed me and my loved ones, the flight cost was exorbitant and going for that option would create a big hole in my finances considering my current and future expenses.

I got to Abuja at night and lodged at a guesthouse for two nights. On the day of the interview, I woke up very early and went to the US Embassy at Diplomatic Drive. When I got there, I met other people who were the for the same purpose and I went straight to the front. About an hour later, we lined up and were told to go in after the checks.

Throughout the process, I was so nervous because the stakes were so high. Since I was the first person in the queue, I was also the first person to be interviewed by the visa officer. My interview lasted for less than three minutes and I was approved. I quickly took my files and left the embassy for the guesthouse. Then I called my family and friends to inform them about the good news. It seemed surreal! My visa has been approved and I will be going to America!

A few weeks later, I booked my flight and the travel was scheduled for December. After spending time with my family and loved ones, I departed Nigeria for the United States in December 2022.


Yes, dreams do come true! I hope someone will try again one more time before giving up on life.

awwwwn such good news…. Wonderful news!

247Hustler:
Thank you, Lamanii22

anytime OP… 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

GreatKingg:
Interpreter jobs?.... what language are you looking to interpret?

Swahili

GreatKingg:
Interpreter jobs?.... what language are you looking to interpret?

Let me PM & we can chat a little more on other options.

snowland:
I was once in Texas too. PM me, I got some documents to give if you're interested in IT (Big data). Congrats and welcome to the God's own country, land of the free and home of the brave.

Sir are u Edo or Deltan? Saw ur name somewhere.

Hotice085:
.


Honestly I wonder how a struggling American in one rural southern part of America go de feel when reading this

Africans still remains in bondage

Not just that. The way the guy words his sorry epistle, in such a way that exhibits stark ignorance of understanding neocolonialism as the root cause of his fervent woes.

There is bro.... nor be everything person go lay bare on a public forum like this... but confirmed, naija graduate certificate and the required skills helped a lot.. some background check company dey call naija universities to confirm the authencity of your degree..

omoluabiguy:
There’s not much his naija certificate would do for him here. I have never seen or came across any job in America that asks about your certificates, all they want to know is what skills you got. As a hustler from Naija, if you made it to yankee, it’s like a second chance for you in life to rebuild and restrategize your life

Mikael0407:
The man achieved his dreams. Just say congratulations and leave it at that.

Nope.

It is important I point out that what he thinks is "poverty" is a grand-design by those where he runs to, to seek succour.

Im also outta d country but I don't count it a miracle. I am very aware of this gaping problem and how dark d future is for us all if we cannot even figure out d nucleus of our woes.

Coquinoqui:
Yes I'm in NYC

Can a Nigerian buy a house in the US and be allowed to live there ..?

247Hustler:
Going solo: using freelancing to finance the dream

At the point of quitting my HR job in Lagos, I decided to create an account on Upwork. The site was easy to create an account but I found it difficult to decide what to include and not include so I could make my profile attractive to clients. Nonetheless, I read a couple of things online and used the information to set up my account, and then left the account as there was no time to apply for jobs.

However, a few weeks after I resigned from my job, I got invited for a permanent job that would pay about eight hundred thousand naira (#800,000) per month. It was a US-based company and the client was willing to hire many people for the same role. Since I have never submitted any proposal in the past, I struggled on what to include and not include in the proposal. Due to my inexperience, I couldn’t write a good proposal and answered the screening questions poorly. This made me the only one that did not get the job out the four of us that were invited to apply. Although I didn’t get the job, I was happy I was considered. Then I continued to apply on both LinkedIn and Upwork. I got two other ones around October and November but didn’t earn anything from them.

In December 2021, I was back in Ogun State and penniless again, but this time like the proverbial prodigal son, broke and penniless. My aunt cried when she saw me because she thought I needed stability and I was not going to achieve that with my pattern of life that was filled with costly adventures. She didn’t understand why I couldn’t just continue with my job on the Island since the pay was not totally bad for someone with that year of experience. But for me, it was just a transitional phase towards something bigger.

From January 2022, I became more aggressive with my application, and by the middle of February, I landed a gig with a company in the US. This job took about two months and I earned about one million naira (#1,000,000) for the first time by the end of the project. I later got another long-term project with a company in Ireland. I got other big projects that I declined because they would run throughout the whole year and I was expecting to leave the country before then. Overall and for the first time ever, I made about three million naira (#3,000,000) from freelancing within seven months!

Your determination and tenacity paid off

lanre9ja:
Please kindly share the gigs

Same thought

larrypourl:
I'm enjoying your story, but there was never a time 2003-2007 Toyota Corolla Toks was sold less than 1m. Infact a senior colleague bought his 06 Corolla around 2011 for 1.650m and Camry 2001 for 1.250m. Even the 1998-2002 Corolla hover around 850-1.1m.
The cars available within your quoted price na golf 2, Nissan Almera, Primera, Carina E, II, Sunny, etc cos those were the cheap cars then. Camry and Corolla don cost no bi today.

I got a 2005 model UK for 850k January 2020 later converted to left hand drive

Geominer:
Sir are u Edo or Deltan? Saw ur name somewhere.

Nope. I'm neither. I'm proudly Nigerian, proudly Yoruba.

snowland:
Nope. I'm neither. I'm proudly Nigerian, proudly Yoruba.

if u are proudly nigerian why did u left the country? C.o.ward

247Hustler:
Going solo: using freelancing to finance the dream

At the point of quitting my HR job in Lagos, I decided to create an account on Upwork. The site was easy to create an account but I found it difficult to decide what to include and not include so I could make my profile attractive to clients. Nonetheless, I read a couple of things online and used the information to set up my account, and then left the account as there was no time to apply for jobs.

However, a few weeks after I resigned from my job, I got invited for a permanent job that would pay about eight hundred thousand naira (#800,000) per month. It was a US-based company and the client was willing to hire many people for the same role. Since I have never submitted any proposal in the past, I struggled on what to include and not include in the proposal. Due to my inexperience, I couldn’t write a good proposal and answered the screening questions poorly. This made me the only one that did not get the job out the four of us that were invited to apply. Although I didn’t get the job, I was happy I was considered. Then I continued to apply on both LinkedIn and Upwork. I got two other ones around October and November but didn’t earn anything from them.

In December 2021, I was back in Ogun State and penniless again, but this time like the proverbial prodigal son, broke and penniless. My aunt cried when she saw me because she thought I needed stability and I was not going to achieve that with my pattern of life that was filled with costly adventures. She didn’t understand why I couldn’t just continue with my job on the Island since the pay was not totally bad for someone with that year of experience. But for me, it was just a transitional phase towards something bigger.

From January 2022, I became more aggressive with my application, and by the middle of February, I landed a gig with a company in the US. This job took about two months and I earned about one million naira (#1,000,000) for the first time by the end of the project. I later got another long-term project with a company in Ireland. I got other big projects that I declined because they would run throughout the whole year and I was expecting to leave the country before then. Overall and for the first time ever, I made about three million naira (#3,000,000) from freelancing within seven months!

mtswwwwwwww

Ariyke:
I bought my student mattress in 2013 for 5k sef

It was'nt a student mattress, it was a sizeable 10 inches that can comfortably contain 3 people...

Cc Olatara
Cc Ara21

henryadex:
I got a 2005 model UK for 850k January 2020 later converted to left hand drive

Good for you (maybe cos na righty and probably manual drive) got my 2001/2002 Corolla, naija used for 800k June 2019, was cleared from port according to the custom documents around Nov 2017, so it was less than 2years used in naija. It was sold at that price based on the relationship between myself and the seller (area brother shit). Other used neat ones I saw were close to 1m sef, was almost picking one up at Ibadan for 920k while Tokunbo was sold around 1.2-1.3m, almost same range with 1998-2001 camry. That car is almost 2m if not over today sef.

mrksquare:
People are cashing out of Upwork. I made over 1000 dollars just last year doing a remote job as Data entry specialist with a newspaper coy in US. Haven't had a breakthrough on Upwork but my ex has made a huge fortune by being a content creator on Upwork. create a niche, be so good at it and be steadfast in applying for jobs. One thing your job proposal will be accepted.

brother school me about upwork .hw does it work.

Hmmm one day one day😔

Spanishmilf:
this is not a Vs suffering battle

No 😲😂 mind am , Sufferness competition don start

JoeEeL:
Lol zoogerians are funny people.

Politicians and their fellow slave masters have made people write epistles and testimonies all in d name of running away from their ancestral lands while these slave masters keep digging up natural resources on these lands with reckless abandon.

Black man, black man... Haha, improve your consciousness.

You guys should stop this nl black man shit for once, USA is an upgrade to Nigeria so Yes, one needs to rejoice when leaving Nigeria for USA...

Ogaonos:
brother school me about upwork .hw does it work.

Drop your email let me send you a material on how to go about it.

Slynation:
oga rest, around 2013, I bought a new 10 inch mattress for 12K....!! So a small size mattress around 2014 should cost lesser!!

You dey mind all those indomie generation pikin dem lol

IRIEBOY:
exactly.. have made over 3 million naira via crypto Airdrops..

Boss can you put me through on this? Would gladly appreciate alot. Thanks

247Hustler:
The road to America

By the end of March 2022, I have received responses for all my school applications. I have four total offers with one being funded. I was very happy but I decided to keep calm as I have read several cases of people being denied visas at the embassy.

I proceeded to arrange for the payment of my SEVIS and visa fees. I had a little delay with the payment of my SEVIS fee, so I could not pay on time. For this reason, I missed the early dates that were released for the interview. When the money was finally paid, I started looking for interview dates in Abuja. This process was arguably one of the hardest as dates were always not available. After a series of sleepless nights and sleeping on my computer keyboard, I managed to get a date that was a few days to resumption. I picked this date and began my preparation for the visa interview.

When it was two days before my interview, I left Ogun State for Abuja by road. Prior to this time, I have read news of kidnappings on the road. Although the news greatly disturbed me and my loved ones, the flight cost was exorbitant and going for that option would create a big hole in my finances considering my current and future expenses.

I got to Abuja at night and lodged at a guesthouse for two nights. On the day of the interview, I woke up very early and went to the US Embassy at Diplomatic Drive. When I got there, I met other people who were the for the same purpose and I went straight to the front. About an hour later, we lined up and were told to go in after the checks.

Throughout the process, I was so nervous because the stakes were so high. Since I was the first person in the queue, I was also the first person to be interviewed by the visa officer. My interview lasted for less than three minutes and I was approved. I quickly took my files and left the embassy for the guesthouse. Then I called my family and friends to inform them about the good news. It seemed surreal! My visa has been approved and I will be going to America!

A few weeks later, I booked my flight and the travel was scheduled for December. After spending time with my family and loved ones, I departed Nigeria for the United States in December 2022.


Yes, dreams do come true! I hope someone will try again one more time before giving up on life.

A breakthrough story.. congratulation.

247Hustler:
The road to America

By the end of March 2022, I have received responses for all my school applications. I have four total offers with one being funded. I was very happy but I decided to keep calm as I have read several cases of people being denied visas at the embassy.

I proceeded to arrange for the payment of my SEVIS and visa fees. I had a little delay with the payment of my SEVIS fee, so I could not pay on time. For this reason, I missed the early dates that were released for the interview. When the money was finally paid, I started looking for interview dates in Abuja. This process was arguably one of the hardest as dates were always not available. After a series of sleepless nights and sleeping on my computer keyboard, I managed to get a date that was a few days to resumption. I picked this date and began my preparation for the visa interview.

When it was two days before my interview, I left Ogun State for Abuja by road. Prior to this time, I have read news of kidnappings on the road. Although the news greatly disturbed me and my loved ones, the flight cost was exorbitant and going for that option would create a big hole in my finances considering my current and future expenses.

I got to Abuja at night and lodged at a guesthouse for two nights. On the day of the interview, I woke up very early and went to the US Embassy at Diplomatic Drive. When I got there, I met other people who were the for the same purpose and I went straight to the front. About an hour later, we lined up and were told to go in after the checks.

Throughout the process, I was so nervous because the stakes were so high. Since I was the first person in the queue, I was also the first person to be interviewed by the visa officer. My interview lasted for less than three minutes and I was approved. I quickly took my files and left the embassy for the guesthouse. Then I called my family and friends to inform them about the good news. It seemed surreal! My visa has been approved and I will be going to America!

A few weeks later, I booked my flight and the travel was scheduled for December. After spending time with my family and loved ones, I departed Nigeria for the United States in December 2022.


Yes, dreams do come true! I hope someone will try again one more time before giving up on life.

Congratulations... God where do am for you go run my own

Reni1:
Nice one, I feel you and you make sense. No worry him self go realize am like most of us way comot take realize am at some point. Na encouragement him need now.

Funny story, I enter gbege once for work when as I ask
My female colleague say she get belle ? The dey lunch and the girl talk say she dey vomit all morning. As per nollywood now, na pregnancy be that. She change am for me o no ne small matter. I no forgive am
Until a few months after when I realised why my question was meant to be a joke, to her it meant i was questioning her and how she uses her body which was not in my
Place. As simple as it looks, it took a while for my Mentality to change and I guess its what you are also pointing out.

You na correct guy, you put in work, enjoy yourself! Bless!

Real experience bro. You know wetin you dey talk. Experience wey nearly blindside you. lol. That kyn gbege dey make spit dry from mouth. Pillar to post movement for a couple of hours. If na igbo people, dem go say na ishi/isi mgbaka (head scatter). You no go understand why the thing dey escalate. Na so.


He neva experience transportation, housing, feeding, job daily operation, job skills,trainings, and certifications to earn, etc. Not to talk about the underground world, easy to setup, easy to be distracted, easy to be misguided. I wish am good luck in his next chapter. Because sometimes, mouth no fit talk wetin eyes see.

247Hustler:
Thank you, Lamanii22

good story boss, happy for you. Please which good IT skill would you advice I learn? Thanks. A laptop has always been my hindrance.

Eriokanmi:
Nope . Dem plenti. I don't even know the one you mentioned

Them plenty sha. Many are not paying their staff well.