How the market works
Skillnaija sits between the buyer and the seller. The buyer's money is held by us until the work is confirmed, so neither side has to trust a stranger.
For buyers
In Nigeria or anywhere in the world
- Browse sellers by category, or see every open shop on one page. Every listing shows whether the seller's identity is verified yet, their rating and, where they earned it, a Certified badge. New sellers have 7 days to verify, and none is paid until they have.
- Ask first. Message the seller from the listing, free, to agree the details, the deadline and what is included before you pay.
- Send a request for a package. Nothing is charged: the seller accepts or declines, usually within 48 hours.
- Agree and pay once they accept, by card or bank transfer to Skillnaija. The seller never handles your payment.
- Your money is held while the seller works. Message them on the order to explain what you need and ask questions.
- Confirm delivery to release the payment. If you say nothing, it is released automatically 7 days after delivery.
- Not right? Open a dispute before it releases. Our team reviews both sides and can refund you in full or in part.
For sellers
Anyone who can prove who they are
- Open your shop and verify within 7 days: list straight away, then a quick check of your name and NIN against the NIMC record, for a one-time ₦1,000 fee that covers the official check. Or upload your documents for our team to review, at no charge. Registered businesses add their CAC certificate and registration number, and pay a one-time ₦5,000 business verification fee.
- List in any category: design, writing, video, websites, data, tutoring, digital templates and more. Packages start from ₦5,000.
- Stand out with a Certified badge. Pass the project in a matching Skillnaija course and your listings are marked Certified and ranked higher.
- Deliver on the order and mark it delivered. The buyer confirms, or the money releases on its own after 7 days.
- Get paid weekly to your verified bank account. Skillnaija keeps a 5% commission. The payment processor's charge (about 2.15% on Nigerian cards, VAT included) and a small bank transfer charge per payout also come out of your side; you keep the rest.
The money, plainly
No hidden charges and nothing decided by the app on your phone: every amount comes from the order record on our servers.
Why sellers here can be trusted
Identity checked
Every seller proves who they are before listing anything: their name and NIN checked against the NIMC record, or documents reviewed by our team. Businesses also give their CAC registration number.
Real reviews only
A review can only be written by the buyer of a completed, paid order. One review per order, and it counts most in how sellers are ranked.
Certified badge
Sellers who passed the graded project in a Skillnaija course for their category carry a Certified badge and rank higher while reviews are few.
Escrow and disputes
Money is held by Skillnaija, not the seller. If something goes wrong, our team reads the order thread and decides: release, full refund or partial refund.
Common questions
What can be sold on Skill Market?
Online services and digital products, for example design, writing, editing, websites, spreadsheets, tutoring, and downloadable templates or guides. In Lagos, sellers can also offer in-person services such as tailoring, catering, beauty, repairs and installations: you pick a date, the seller accepts the booking, and a materials deposit can be released to them when they do. No shipping of physical goods, and nothing unlawful. The full rules are in our Terms of Service.
Do I need a Skillnaija certificate to sell?
No. Any seller can list in any category. A certificate earns you a Certified badge and a ranking boost, and every Skillnaija course is free, so it is worth doing.
When does the seller get the money?
Never directly from the buyer. Skillnaija holds the payment until the buyer confirms delivery, or until 7 days pass after delivery with no dispute. Cleared earnings are then paid out to the seller's verified bank account, weekly by default.
Can I cancel an order?
Yes. Before you pay (while it is a request, or accepted but unpaid) either side can cancel and nothing is charged. After you pay and before delivery, our card processor keeps its charge (about 2%) even on a refund, so whoever cancels bears it: if the seller cancels, you get everything back; if you cancel, you get the price back less that charge. That is why it pays to message the seller before you order. After delivery, use the dispute button instead so our team can look at the work.
Can I buy from outside Nigeria?
Yes, if your card is accepted by our payment processor. Sign in with a free Skillnaija account and pay by card. Prices are shown in naira and your bank or card provider converts them at its own rate.
Ready when you are
Hire a verified seller today (browse every shop), or open a shop, verify your identity, and get paid weekly.