16 Ways to Make Money on YouTube in Nigeria (2026 Updated List)

Making money on YouTube in Nigeria is no longer a dream. With over 122 million internet users in Nigeria and increasing video consumption across platforms like YouTube, more Nigerians are turning simple content ideas into serious income streams, earning in dollars while living locally.

In this post, we will break down 16 proven ways to make money on YouTube in Nigeria, including both popular methods and lesser-known income streams that most creators ignore. You will learn how to earn from ads, brand deals, affiliate marketing, digital products, and even faceless YouTube channels without showing your face.

We will also explain how the YouTube monetisation system works, what you need to qualify, and how to position your channel for consistent growth and earnings.

1. Ad Revenue (AdSense)

YouTube AdSense revenue is money you earn by allowing ads to play on your YouTube videos. These ads are provided by Google through their AdSense program. As a YouTuber, when people watch your video and see or click on the ads, you earn money.

The more people watch the ad, the more money you make. This is one of the most common ways to make money on YouTube because it’s relatively easy to set up once you meet the requirements.

Step-by-Step Guide to YouTube Monetisation with AdSense

Here’s a simple guide on how to enable YouTube monetisation through AdSense:

1. Meet YouTube’s Requirements

You must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. This is the first step to qualifying for monetisation.

2. Set Up a Google AdSense Account

Go to the AdSense website and create an account. This is where YouTube will send your earnings.

Link your AdSense account to your YouTube channel. Google will verify your account and start placing ads on your videos once approved.

3. Enable monetisation on Your YouTube Channel

Sign in to your YouTube account, go to YouTube Studio, and click on monetisation. Follow the prompts and set up ads on your videos.

4. Choose Ad Settings

After your channel is approved for monetisation, you can select the types of ads you want to appear on your videos (display ads, video ads, overlay ads, etc.).

5. Start Earning

Once ads are enabled, every time someone watches your videos and interacts with an ad, you will earn money. But you need to consistently upload quality content that attracts viewers.

Also Read: 20 Ways to Make Money on Instagram in Nigeria (Monetise Instagram With 20 Real-Life Case Studies)

2. YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

The YouTube Partner Program opens up various revenue streams, including ad revenue, YouTube Premium, and Super Chats.

Requirements to Qualify for the YouTube Partner Program

Before you can earn through the Partner Program, you need to meet a few YouTube monetisation requirements:

1. 1,000 Subscribers: You need at least 1,000 people to subscribe to your YouTube channel. These are people who are interested in your content and will watch your videos.
2. 4,000 Watch Hours: Your videos need to have been watched for at least 4,000 hours in the past 12 months. This means people must engage with your content and watch it for extended periods.

Step-by-Step Process of Applying for YPP

1. Meet the Requirements

As mentioned, ensure you have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months. If you haven’t reached these numbers, focus on creating engaging content that attracts more viewers.

2. Enable monetisation

Go to YouTube Studio and click on monetisation in the menu. Follow the steps to agree to YouTube’s monetisation policies. You will be required to accept YouTube’s terms and connect your channel to an AdSense account.

3. Wait for Approval

After you have applied, YouTube will review your channel. This process can take a few weeks. They will check to make sure your content follows YouTube’s guidelines and that you meet the YouTube monetisation eligibility.

4. Start Earning

Once accepted, ads will start appearing on your videos, and you will earn a share of the ad revenue each time someone watches your video and interacts with an ad. 

YouTube’s AdSense vs YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

AdSense is Google’s advertising program that allows creators to earn revenue by displaying ads on their content. It is linked to your YouTube channel, enabling you to earn money from ads that appear before, during, or after your videos.

When your viewers watch ads on your videos, you earn a portion of the ad revenue. This can include display ads, video ads, and banner ads. Once you reach a minimum earnings threshold (usually $100), AdSense will send your earnings to your linked bank account or via other payment methods.

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is a broader platform that offers various ways to monetise your content, including AdSense integration, but also with additional features such as Super Chats, Super Stickers, YouTube Premium revenue, and more.

Joining YPP allows you to access these additional features and increase your earning potential. The YPP enables creators to earn money through:

• Ad Revenue (via AdSense).
• Super Chats and Super Stickers (during live streams).
• Channel Memberships.
• YouTube Premium (earn money from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch your content).

Also Read: 18 Ways to Make Money on WhatsApp in Nigeria

3. Channel Memberships

Channel memberships allow YouTubers to offer exclusive perks to their subscribers in exchange for a monthly fee. Basically, your subscribers become “members” of your channel, paying a recurring amount to access special content or benefits that non-members can’t see.

For example, a YouTuber can offer members-only videos, badges, emojis, live chats, or other special interactions that make them feel part of a VIP community.

How to Make Money with YouTube Channel Memberships

1. Meet the Requirements

You must have at least 30,000 subscribers to enable memberships on your channel.

2. Enable Memberships in YouTube Studio

Once you meet the subscriber count, go to YouTube Studio and navigate to the monetisation tab. Select the Memberships option and follow the steps to activate it.

3. Create Appealing Perks for Subscribers

Offer exclusive content, such as behind-the-scenes videos or early access to content.

Design special badges and emojis for your members. You can even host members-only live streams or Q&A sessions to make your audience feel valued.

4. Set the Monthly Fee

You can set a monthly membership fee that suits your audience. The standard fee typically ranges from NGN 200 to NGN 1,500 in Nigeria, depending on the perks you offer.

5. Promote Your Memberships

Let your audience know about your membership option. Include a call-to-action in your videos and post about it in your community tab. The more people know about your memberships, the higher the chances they’ll join.

Also Read: 20 Ways to Make Money on Facebook in Nigeria (Monetise Facebook With 20 Real-Life Case Studies)

4. Super Chats and Super Stickers

Super Chats and Super Stickers are special features that allow viewers to support YouTubers during live streams. These features are ways for viewers to interact with creators while also providing financial support.

Super Chats

Viewers pay to have their message highlighted in the live chat during a stream. The higher the amount, the longer the message stays visible. It’s a great way for viewers to get attention or have their questions noticed.

Super Stickers

These are like digital stickers or emojis that viewers can purchase and send to the creator during a live stream. The stickers often feature fun graphics, and each one can have a different price.

Also Read: 15 Ways to Make Money on TikTok in Nigeria (Monetise TikTok With 15 Real-Life Case Studies)

5. YouTube Premium Revenue

YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service offered by YouTube. It allows viewers to watch videos without ads, access YouTube Originals, and enjoy other features like background play and offline viewing.

When a Premium member watches your video, you still get paid, but the money comes from the subscription fee that the user has already paid to YouTube. The more time a Premium user spends watching your videos, the more revenue you earn. This is in addition to the money you make from regular ads.

Also Read: How to Start and Make Money with CPA Marketing in Nigeria

6. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing on YouTube is when creators earn money by promoting products or services in their videos.

These products are linked through affiliate programs, where creators receive a commission each time a viewer purchases the product through their unique affiliate link.

For example, a beauty vlogger might recommend a specific brand of makeup in their video and include a link in the video description. If a viewer clicks on that link and buys the product, the creator earns a commission.

Affiliate marketing is an excellent way to make money on YouTube because it allows creators to earn income by recommending products they trust to their audience.

Also Read: How to Apply for Google AdSense in Nigeria

7. Sponsored Content

Sponsored content on YouTube is when brands or companies pay creators to promote their products or services in videos. These promotions can be in the form of product reviews, shout-outs, or even dedicated videos about the brand.

Unlike regular ads, which are placed automatically by YouTube, sponsored content is a direct partnership between the creator and the brand.

For example, a tech YouTuber might get paid by a phone brand to create a review video showcasing their latest smartphone. In return, the creator earns money from the brand or gets the reviewed smartphone for free for featuring their product.

Sponsored content is one of the best ways to make money on YouTube, as it often provides a higher income than ad revenue.

Also Read 11 Highest Paying Tech Careers In Nigeria In 2025

8. Selling Merchandise

Selling merchandise on YouTube is when creators design and sell their own branded products to their audience. These products can be anything from t-shirts, hats, and mugs to phone cases or even digital products.

When your fans love your content, they might also want to buy products that represent your brand or personality. This is where selling merchandise becomes a powerful income stream.

Also Read 25 Most Paid Jobs In Nigeria In 2025

9. Crowdfunding and Donations (Patreon, GoFundMe, etc.)

Crowdfunding is a way for creators to receive financial support directly from their audience. It involves asking your viewers to donate money, either through one-time contributions or ongoing monthly support.

Platforms like Patreon and GoFundMe allow YouTubers to set up accounts where fans can donate in exchange for exclusive content, special perks, or simply as a way to support the creator.

Crowdfunding helps creators who want to earn money on YouTube in Nigeria but may not have a large enough audience to fully rely on ad revenue alone.

It’s a great way to fund your channel, upgrade equipment, or pay for production costs while building a deeper relationship with your fans.

Also Read 51 Most Profitable Business Ideas in Nigeria (With Low Startup Costs) in 2025

10. YouTube Shorts Monetisation

YouTube Shorts is a feature that allows creators to upload short, vertical videos that are up to 60 seconds long. These videos are similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels and are designed for quick, engaging content.

Shorts monetisation refers to the way creators can earn money from these short-form videos.

How Creators Monetise YouTube Short-Form Content

Here’s how YouTube Shorts monetisation in Nigeria works:

1. Ad Revenue Share (For Eligible Creators)

When your channel qualifies for the YouTube Partner Program in Nigeria, you can start earning money from ads shown on your Shorts.

The revenue generated from these ads is shared between YouTube and the creator, just like regular YouTube videos.

To be eligible for this, you need to meet the usual YouTube monetisation requirements in Nigeria (1,000 subscribers, 4,000 watch hours, and a linked AdSense account).

2. Super Chats and Super Stickers for Shorts Livestreams

While YouTube Shorts themselves may not feature ads in the traditional sense, creators can also earn through Super Chats and Super Stickers during live streams on Shorts videos. This allows creators to make money directly from viewer engagement.

11. Selling Digital Products (eBooks, Courses)

Selling digital products on YouTube is a method where creators offer downloadable or online-access products, such as eBooks, online courses, or guides, directly to their audience. This type of product doesn’t require physical shipping, and all transactions are completed online.

For example, if you’re a fitness expert, you might create a workout guide or an eBook on healthy eating, which your subscribers can purchase directly from your channel.

Also Read: How to Start a Shopify Business in Nigeria and Tips to Make Money in 2025

12. Licensing Your Content

Content licensing is when creators allow other companies or platforms to use their videos for a fee. This means you grant permission to a third party to show or distribute your content while you continue to own the rights. In return, you earn money every time your video is licensed to be shown elsewhere.

For example, a media company may want to use a viral video you created for their own marketing campaign or website. Instead of uploading your video to their platform, they would pay you for the rights to use it for a set period of time.

Licensing is a great way to make money on YouTube without having to create new content or rely on traditional ad revenue.

Also Read: 10 Ways to Make Money as a Student in Nigeria in 2025

13. Offering Consultation or Coaching

Offering consultation or coaching services on YouTube is when creators leverage their expertise in a specific field to provide personalized advice or training to their audience for a fee.

This could be one-on-one coaching, group sessions, or advice on a particular topic, like digital marketing, fitness, or entrepreneurship.

For example, if you are a social media expert, you can offer consultations to individuals or businesses who need help growing their social media presence.

14. Selling Your Own Products or Services

Selling your own products or services on YouTube involves offering physical goods or services directly to your audience. This could include things like branded merchandise, digital downloads, consulting services, or even exclusive content packages.

Unlike affiliate marketing or sponsorships, when you sell your own products, you keep 100% of the profits.

For example, if you run a fitness channel, you could sell workout equipment, fitness eBooks, or offer personal training services. This is a direct way to make money on YouTube in Nigeria, allowing creators to capitalize on their unique brand and engage their audience in a more personalized way.

Also Read: 10 Richest Handwork Skills in Nigeria to Learn and Make Money in 2025

15. Super Thanks

YouTube Super Thanks is a feature that allows viewers to make one-time payments to creators as a form of appreciation for their videos. When viewers enjoy a video, they can leave a “Thank You” message and support the creator by giving a monetary tip.

This is part of YouTube’s broader efforts to allow creators to earn money on YouTube in Nigeria beyond ads and sponsorships. Super Thanks is similar to Super Chats, but instead of being used during live streams, it can be used on any pre-recorded video. 

16. Online Courses and Webinars

Online courses and webinars are educational content that creators can monetise by teaching others through video-based lessons or live sessions.

YouTubers with expertise in a specific area can create in-depth courses or conduct webinars that help their audience learn a new skill or improve existing ones. This could range from teaching social media marketing, coding, cooking, or personal finance.

Recap

Here’s a quick recap of the 16 ways to make money on YouTube in Nigeria:

1. Ad Revenue (AdSense)

Earn money through ads shown on your videos once you meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours).

2. YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

Join the YouTube Partner Program to unlock revenue from ads, channel memberships, Super Chats, and more.

3. Channel Memberships

Offer exclusive content, badges, and perks to subscribers who join your channel membership for a monthly fee.

4. Super Chats and Super Stickers

Receive one-time payments from viewers during live streams who want to highlight their messages or show support.

5. YouTube Premium Revenue

Earn a share of YouTube Premium subscription fees based on the watch time your content receives from Premium members.

6. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services using affiliate links and earn a commission when your viewers make a purchase through those links.

7. Sponsored Content

Partner with brands to promote their products or services in your videos for a sponsorship fee.

8. Merchandise Sales

Sell your branded products, like t-shirts, hats, or custom accessories, directly through your YouTube channel or third-party platforms.

9. Crowdfunding and Donations

Use platforms like Patreon or GoFundMe to get ongoing or one-time donations from your audience to support your content creation.

10. YouTube Shorts monetisation

Earn from the YouTube Shorts Fund or through ad revenue once your channel qualifies for the Partner Program.

11. Selling Digital Products

Create and sell digital products like eBooks, courses, or printable guides directly to your YouTube audience.

12. Licensing Your Content

License your videos to other platforms or media companies for a fee, allowing them to use your content for their campaigns.

13. Consultation or Coaching

Offer personalized coaching or consultation services to your viewers based on your expertise, such as business advice or fitness coaching.

14. Selling Your Own Products or Services

Sell physical products, services, or digital downloads directly through your YouTube channel, such as custom merch or exclusive consulting.

15. Super Thanks

Enable Super Thanks to allow viewers to donate one-time payments to support your videos in exchange for recognition.

16. Online Courses or Webinars

Create and sell online courses or hold live webinars, offering paid educational content to help your viewers learn new skills or knowledge.

FAQs on YouTube Monetisation in Nigeria

1. How much does YouTube pay Nigerians per 1000 views?

On average, Nigerian YouTubers earn around $0.5 to $3 per 1000 views, but it can be higher if your audience is more engaged or your content attracts higher-paying ads.

2. How do I activate my YouTube channel to make money?

To earn money on YouTube, you need to activate monetisation on your channel. Here’s how to do it:

1. Meet YouTube’s monetisation requirements – You need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months.
2. Set up an AdSense account – Link your YouTube account to an AdSense account to receive payments.
3. Enable monetisation – Go to your YouTube Studio, click “monetisation,” and follow the prompts to enable ads on your videos.
4. Submit for review – YouTube will review your channel for eligibility in the YouTube Partner Program.

3. Does YouTube pay to a Naira account?

Unfortunately, YouTube does not directly pay into a Nigerian Naira account. Payments are made through AdSense, which only supports payments in a few currencies, including USD.

You can link your AdSense account to an international bank account or use third-party services like Payoneer to receive your YouTube earnings in Naira.

4. How can I get 4000 hours on YouTube fast?

To get 4000 watch hours, focus on creating engaging and shareable content. Here are some tips:

1. Create longer videos – Videos that are 10 minutes or longer tend to get more watch time.
2. Promote your videos – Share your content on social media to increase views.
3. Use playlists – Organize your videos into playlists to encourage viewers to watch more.
4. Engage with your audience – Respond to comments and encourage viewers to share and re-watch videos.

5. How much is 1k views in YouTube?

1,000 views on YouTube can earn you anywhere from $0.5 to $3 depending on the location of your audience, the type of ads, and engagement.

The YouTube monetisation rates in Nigeria is lower compared to Western countries, but you can still make a steady income with consistent content.

6. How much YouTube pays for 10 thousand views?

For 10,000 views, you could earn between $5 to $30 on YouTube. This depends on the CPM, the type of content, the audience’s location, and the engagement level. Some YouTubers in Nigeria may earn less, while others with niche audiences could make more.

The income from YouTube might also depend on how well you optimise your videos and target the right audience.

7. How much money is 100K views on YouTube?

With 100K views, a YouTuber in Nigeria could earn anywhere between $50 to $300, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

8. How much does YouTube pay for 1 million views?

For 1 million views, YouTube creators in Nigeria can earn anywhere between $500 to $3,000. But YouTubers with high-quality content, engaged viewers, and optimised ads can earn significantly more.

9. How to make money on YouTube without making videos?

If you want to make money on YouTube without making videos yourself, here are some options:

1. Use stock footage – Create videos using royalty-free stock footage, photos, and music.
2. Curate content – Make compilation videos or showcase highlights of popular videos in a specific niche.
3. Voice-over work – Hire others to create content and provide your voice for narration.

10. What are the YouTube monetisation requirements in Nigeria?

To earn from YouTube in Nigeria, creators must meet the following requirements:

1. 1,000 subscribers on your channel.
2. 4,000 watch hours within the last 12 months.
3. Complying with YouTube’s policies, including copyright regulations and Community Guidelines.
4. Linking your account to AdSense for payment processing.

11. Can I earn money on YouTube in Nigeria with less than 1000 subscribers?

Yes, you can make money on YouTube even with less than 1000 subscribers through alternative methods:

1. Affiliate marketing – Promote products and earn commissions from sales.
2. Selling digital products – Offer online courses, eBooks, or guides.
3. Crowdfunding – Use platforms like Patreon or GoFundMe to raise funds from your audience.

12. How to make money on YouTube without AdSense?

1. Affiliate marketing – Promote third-party products and earn a commission from sales made through your links.
2. Sponsored content – Partner with brands to promote their products or services in your videos.
3. Super Chats and Super Stickers – Earn money during live streams when viewers make donations.
4. Selling merchandise – Set up an online store and sell branded merchandise.

Conclusion

Every big YouTuber started somewhere, and your journey could be just one video away from success. Keep creating, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the process.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with your fellow YouTubers, and leave a comment about which monetisation method you’re excited to try. Go earn from YouTube and get those dollars rolling in…

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