How to Convince Your Nigerian Parents That ‘Remote Work’ Is a Real Job

So, you’ve finally escaped the 9-5 struggle, landed your dream work-from-home job, and are now living the soft life. You’re working in your pajamas, attending meetings from your bed, and ordering small chops at noon because, why not? But there’s one tiny problem:

You still live with your parents, and they believe you’re jobless.

To them, if you’re not wearing a suit and fighting for your life in Lagos traffic by 5 AM, you’re unemployed. And now, you have been reduced to a suspect in your own household. 

Your mother keeps side-eyeing you, and your father is dropping hints about “real work.” Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you convince your Nigerian parents that remote work is a real job (or at least, reduce the amount of prayers they say for your “situation”).

Stop Wearing House Clothes During Work Hours

Nothing screams “I am jobless” louder than boxers and singlet at 2 PM on a Monday.

Your parents don’t understand that comfort is a perk of remote work. To them, if you’re not wearing office clothes, you’re not working. So, it’s time to play smart.

Solution? Wake up at 7 AM, wear a full corporate outfit, spray small perfume, and walk around the house like you have a board meeting with Dangote.

Yes, your laptop is on the bed and your Zoom camera is off, but they don’t need to know that.

Create Fake “Office” Problems

Nigerian parents believe in workplace stress. In their mind, a “real job” means stress, wahala, and the occasional “I almost slapped my boss today.”

Since remote work doesn’t give you that, fake it.

• Walk past your mum and sigh dramatically: “These clients are just stressing me today!”
• Randomly say things like: “Ah! I have deadline ooo!” even if all you have is an Instagram break.
• Shake your head in frustration at your laptop like you’re calculating Nigeria’s budget.

Soon, your parents will pity you and start telling their friends that “Our son is very hardworking, always busy in his office!” Meanwhile, your office is Twitter with Netflix in the background.

Start Complaining About Salary Delays

If there’s one thing Nigerian parents understand and respect, it’s salary wahala.

They don’t believe a job is real until your salary has entered “delay mode.” So, every month, complain.

• “These people have not paid us since last month o!”
• “HR said they are still processing it.”
• “See, if they don’t pay me by Friday, I will resign!”

Trust me, this will make them believe your job is real. Because in their world, salary problems = real employment.

Take “Official” Calls in a Serious Voice

Remote work means meetings, but if your parents don’t see you shouting on the phone, they will still suspect you.

So, when they’re around, turn your work calls into a performance:

• Speak in big English like “We need to optimize the synergy of our digital transformation strategy.”
• Nod aggressively like you’re discussing global oil prices.
• Occasionally say “I’ll have to get back to you on that” (even if you’re talking to your friend).

Your father might not understand what you’re saying, but he’ll respect you.

Print a Fake Work ID Card

Nothing convinces Nigerian parents like tangible evidence. If you don’t have an office ID, make one.

Design it on Canva, print it, laminate it, and casually place it on the dining table.

When your mum sees it, she’ll say: “Ah-ah! You didn’t tell us your company gave you ID card o!”

Congratulations! Your employment is now official in her mind.

Start Saying “I Have to Travel for Work”

Your parents may still be doubting your work-from-home job, but the moment you start traveling for it, it becomes real.

It doesn’t even have to be a real work trip! Just go somewhere.

• If your friends invite you to Ibadan for the weekend, tell your mum: “I have a work trip.”
• Traveling for a wedding? “My boss is sending me for a conference.”
• Going to chill at a lounge? “We have a company retreat.”

By the time you return, your father will be telling the neighbors how your job is “international.”

Start Giving Them Money

At the end of the day, nothing proves you have a real job like financial evidence. You can fake meetings, wear suits at home, and sigh dramatically all day, but if your parents don’t see money, they will not be convinced.

So, when salary enters (or your client finally pays you after 3 months), drop something for them.

• Buy your mum aso-ebi and watch her defend your job to her friends.
• Give your dad small “fuel money,” and he will never question you again.

Once money starts flowing, they won’t care whether you work from home, work from space, or don’t work at all.

The truth is, your Nigerian parents may never fully understand remote work. Even if you buy them a car, they’ll still believe you’re using a laptop to do Yahoo.

But don’t worry, after a few years, they will accept it. And soon, you’ll hear your mum proudly telling her friends:

“My child works for one big company in America. They allow him to work from anywhere, even inside the house!”

Congratulations, you have won. 

Now enjoy your hard-earned peace of mind and tell me which of these strategies worked for you in the Co-working community on Fusion.