“What matters most is the quality of your work, not where you live”
BY ELVIRA JORDAN
PORT HARCOURT — Faced with limited job opportunities, many young people in Port Harcourt are embracing freelancing, remote work, and the gig economy as alternative sources of income. Exceed FM correspondents spoke with several youths who say the digital economy is opening new career paths despite persistent challenges with power and the internet.
From 9-to-5 to Laptop JobsResearch shows Port Harcourt’s employment landscape is undergoing a massive transformation. Professionals and creatives are increasingly bypassing traditional roles to work with global clients from their homes. A 26-year-old content writer told Exceed FM that after months of searching for conventional employment, freelancing has enabled her to earn a steady income while working from home.
A graphic designer said remote work has connected him with clients outside Nigeria:
“I work with businesses in different countries from my laptop here in Port Harcourt. What matters most is the quality of your work, not where you live,” he said.
“It Requires Patience and Learning”
A 24-year-old freelancer noted that success isn’t instant:
“I had to learn digital marketing before I got my first client. It wasn’t easy, but with consistency, I now earn enough to support myself.”
Businesses Also Benefiting
A Port Harcourt business owner acknowledged the growing role of freelancers:
“Freelancers help us complete projects efficiently without the cost of employing full-time staff. It is becoming a common practice for many small businesses.”
Call for Better Infrastructure
The majority of respondents expressed optimism that freelancing will continue to grow in the city. They urged more youths to develop digital skills and called on government and private organizations to improve: Internet access, electricity supply Support for technology-driven businesses. They say these improvements will reduce Port Harcourt’s traditional oil-and-gas dependence and strengthen the digital economy.
