Let me tell you a short story.
Some months ago, I was resting at home. One of my nosy neighbour as me asked, “What do you do?” I said, “I work online.”
Biggest mistake of the week.
The next 10 minutes, He has started telling me about his nephew that needed a job. Then asked if I could “teach him what I do.” He later asked if I could connect him to foreign clients. At that point, I realized I was in a mini job interview I never applied for.
Since that day, I stopped telling people I work online. Not because I’m ashamed. But because of the Nigeria mentality in me.
Let me explain.
In some environments not everybody understand “Online Work” often times, online work is attributed to “Yahoo” it is easy to hear comments like “You just press phone” or
“You don’t have a real job?”
Even your own family might start asking uncomfortable questions.
The day I told my aunt I write blogs for foreign clients, she said, “You better go and learn tailoring. This phone work won’t last and police may soon be on your trail, please dont get me into trouble.
You can’t blame them. They grew up with a different system. But constantly explaining yourself gets exhausting.
The Pressure That Comes with “Online Success” is Real
Once people think you're “making money online,” they start expecting things like free data, Small supports, free training and access to your personal tools and clients.
No matter what are making on monthly basis, family and friends’ pressure are everywhere, you may be termed a stingy person. So, my escape tactics is to tell them I do remote job for a company, this is Vague enough to confuse them. Specific enough to end the conversation.
Everyone Wants You to Teach Them—for Free
In Nigeria, if you say you make money online, someone will say, “Show me too na!” you may try if there is enough time. The annoying part of it is they expect you to:
Spend hours explaining step-by-step, buy them data to start small. Give them your own tools and login details, Introduce them to your clients and you become a mini-training center overnight.
Even worse? They might not even try. Your efforts is just a waste of time and still blame you if they fail. Even , given out a youtube training link may not work because they will never practice what they are taught,
Once You Explain, You Lose Privacy
When people know what you do, they start watching you like Big Brother, monitoring your spending habits, observing your fashion sense, they want to be sure you really living what you preach.
Sometimes it’s not hate. It’s just too many eyes on your lane. In this country, protecting your peace is a full-time job. Silence helps.
Some People Just Want to Compete—Not Learn
Have you ever explained your hustle to someone, only for them to copy it, spoil market, and still act like they invented it? It happens all the time. A friend once asked how I made money writing. I explained it calmly. One month later, she was offering the same services for half the price—and telling clients I was “too expensive.” That was the last free tutorial I gave.
🎯 So What Do I Say Now?
These days, I just say things like:
“I freelance sometimes.”
“I help businesses that are online.”
“I run a few remote projects.”
Nothing too detailed. No room for interrogation. People can’t disturb what they don’t understand.
💬 Final Thought: Your Peace > Their Curiosity
Working online is not a crime. It’s actually a blessing. But in Nigeria, it’s better to protect your method than prove your worth. Tell your close circle, yes. But to the world? Let them guess. You’re not hiding. You’re just preserving your energy.
Let your lifestyle do the talking, and let your alert be the loudest noise in the room.
📌 Question for You:
Have you ever told someone you work online and regretted it?
Share your story in the comments—no names, just vibes.
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