Sending your first invoice as a Nigerian freelancer feels straightforward — until you realise you don't know what to include, what format to use, or how to make sure you actually get paid.
This guide covers everything you need to write a professional freelance invoice in Nigeria, whether you're billing in Naira or dollars.
A proper invoice is more than a list of what you did. It's a legal document that protects you if a client doesn't pay. Every Nigerian freelance invoice should include:
1. Your details
2. Client details
3. Invoice number
Always number your invoices. Start at INV-001 and go up from there. This makes tracking easy and looks professional.
4. Issue date and due date
The issue date is when you send the invoice. The due date is when you expect payment — typically 7, 14, or 30 days after issue.
5. Itemised list of services
Break down what you did. Instead of "Design work — ₦150,000," write:
This reduces disputes because the client knows exactly what they're paying for.
6. Subtotal, VAT (if applicable), and total
If you're VAT-registered, add 7.5% VAT to your subtotal. If you're not VAT-registered (most freelancers aren't), just show the total.
7. Payment details
Include your bank name, account number, and account name. If you accept Paystack or other online payments, include that too.
8. Payment terms
State any late fees or conditions. For example: "Payment due within 14 days. A 5% late fee applies after the due date."
Many Nigerian freelancers still use Word or Excel to create invoices. This works, but it creates problems:
Invoicing software like Soloist solves all of this. You fill in the details once, and it handles the numbering, calculations, PDF generation, and payment collection automatically.
Step 1: Create the invoice
Fill in all the details above. Double-check the amount and the client's name.
Step 2: Send it as a PDF
Never send an editable file (Word, Excel). Always send a PDF so the client can't accidentally change the numbers.
Step 3: Follow up
Send a reminder 3 days before the due date, and again on the due date if you haven't been paid. This is normal and professional — not rude.
Step 4: Record the payment
When the client pays, mark the invoice as paid and keep a record for your taxes.
Not invoicing immediately after delivery
The longer you wait to send an invoice, the longer you wait to get paid. Send it the same day you deliver work.
Not including a due date
"Payment upon receipt" is vague. Always set a specific due date — 7 or 14 days is standard for most Nigerian freelancers.
Not following up
Clients forget. A polite follow-up email or WhatsApp message on the due date is normal and expected.
Undercharging because the invoice looks "too big"
Charge what your work is worth. A professional invoice actually makes large amounts look more legitimate, not less.
If you work with clients in the US, UK, or Europe, invoice them in their currency (USD or GBP) and specify how you want to receive payment — Wise, Payoneer, Grey, or direct bank transfer.
Soloist supports multi-currency invoicing, so you can send a $500 invoice to a US client and a ₦200,000 invoice to a Lagos client from the same account.
The fastest way to send your first professional invoice is with Soloist. Create a free account, add your client, and send your first invoice in under 2 minutes — with automatic payment tracking and reminders built in.