YouTube is one of the best ways to make money online in Nigeria today. Many creators now earn from their videos through ads, sponsorships, and other income streams. However, the big question most beginners ask is: “How much does YouTube really pay in Nigeria?”

This article breaks down how YouTube payment works, how much Nigerian creators earn, and what affects your final income.

Understanding How YouTube Pays Creators

YouTube does not pay based on likes or subscribers. The payment comes mainly from ads that show on your videos. This earning system is called YouTube AdSense.

To start earning, you must first join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).

Requirements for Monetization

To qualify, you need:

1,000 subscribers
4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months (or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days)
A valid AdSense account
Content that follows YouTube rules

Once approved, your videos start showing ads, and YouTube begins to pay you every month.

How Much YouTube Pays in Nigeria

1. YouTube Payment Is Based on CPM and RPM

What Is CPM?

CPM means Cost Per 1,000 impressions.
This is how much advertisers pay YouTube for showing their ads 1,000 times.

What Is RPM?

RPM means Revenue Per 1,000 views.
However, RPM is more important because it shows how much YOU actually earn after YouTube takes its 45% cut.

2. Average YouTube RPM in Nigeria

Actually, RPM varies between channels. On average:

Typical RPM for Nigerian Creators

₦300 – ₦1,500 per 1,000 views (low to medium)
₦2,000 – ₦6,000 per 1,000 views (medium to high)
₦7,000 – ₦15,000 per 1,000 views (very high niche channels)

The niche of the channel affects RPM.

High-Paying Niches

Tech videos
Finance and business
Real estate
Education
Tutorials

Low-Paying Niches

Comedy
Entertainment
Music
Vlogs

3. How Much YouTubers Earn Per Views in Nigeria

Below is a simple earning guide:

For 1,000 Views

₦300 – ₦6,000 depending on niche and audience

For 10,000 Views

₦3,000 – ₦60,000

For 100,000 Views

₦30,000 – ₦600,000

For 1 Million Views

₦300,000 – ₦6,000,000

These numbers can be higher for channels watched mostly by viewers in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe.

VIEW ALSO : How Much Does GTBank Pay Their Staff?

4. What Affects YouTube Earnings in Nigeria

1. Audience Location

Views from countries like the US, UK, and Canada pay more than views from Nigeria.

2. Video Niche

Niches with advertisers who spend more money give higher RPM.

3. Watch Time and Viewer Retention

Videos that people watch till the end earn more because YouTube can add more ads.

4. Video Length

Videos longer than 8 minutes allow multiple ads, which increases income.

5. Type of Ads on Your Video

Some ads pay higher than others:

Display ads
Skippable ads
Non-skippable ads
Overlay ads

5. How YouTube Pays Nigerian Creators

YouTube pays monthly through AdSense, directly into a Nigerian bank account.
Payment comes every 21st of the month once you reach the minimum threshold of $100.

6. Extra Ways Nigerian YouTubers Make Money

Apart from ads, creators can earn through:

1. Brand Sponsorships

Companies pay creators to promote their products.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Creators earn commission for recommending products.

3. Selling Digital Products

E-books, courses, or templates.

4. Super Thanks and Memberships

Fans can support with money.

5. Creating YouTube Shorts

Shorts also pay, especially when they go viral.

Example of a Monthly Income for a Nigerian Creator

Let’s assume a channel gets:

200,000 views in one month
Average RPM of ₦1,000

Estimated Monthly Earning = ₦200,000

If the channel is in a high-paying niche like finance with ₦5,000 RPM:

Estimated Monthly Earning = ₦1,000,000

Conclusion

YouTube can be a great source of income in Nigeria. The amount a creator earns depends on their niche, audience, and video quality. Some Nigerian YouTubers earn a few thousand naira per month, while others make millions. With consistency and valuable content, anyone can grow their income on YouTube.

FAQs

1. How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views in Nigeria?

YouTube pays between ₦300 and ₦6,000 per 1,000 views depending on the channel’s niche and audience.

2. Do YouTubers get paid for likes?

No. You only earn from ads shown on your videos, not likes or comments.

3. Can I get paid on YouTube without 1,000 subscribers?

No. You must reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views to monetize.

4. How long does it take to start earning?

Once you join the YouTube Partner Program and ads start showing, you can begin earning immediately.

5. Does YouTube pay in naira or dollars?

YouTube pays in dollars, but AdSense automatically converts it to naira when sending it to your Nigerian bank account.