A few years ago, most Nigerians had never heard of virtual assistants. Today, thousands of people are working with clients in the UK, Canada, the US, and other countries without leaving their homes. Some are graduates. Some are stay-at-home mums. Some are people who simply got tired of waiting for the perfect job. And the interesting part is that most of them had no tech background when they started.
If you have been wondering how to become a virtual assistant in Nigeria, what the job involves, how much you can earn, or whether you can start without experience, you are in the right place. This article will walk you through everything you need to know, based on real opportunities, real numbers, and the path many people have already taken.
Meet Chidi
Chidi was 27. Nothing was really wrong with his life, but nothing felt right either. He had a roof over his head, people who cared about him, the basics. But every time he needed money for something, even something small, he had to go and ask somebody. His parents. His brother. A friend. He always got it but the asking never got easier. At 27, that starts to weigh on you.
He wasn't looking for a way to get rich. He just wanted to reach into his own pocket and find something there.
One evening he was scrolling and saw someone talking about how they managed emails and schedules for a business owner in the UK, all from their laptop, getting paid in pounds. Chidi read the whole thing twice. He didn't know what to call it at the time. He just knew it sounded like something real.
That's how he found Digital Witch. He signed up for the IT Support Programme, showed up to the classes, and did the work. He wasn't the sharpest person in the group and he'll probably tell you that himself. But he finished. And not long after, he had his first client.
It wasn't a huge amount. But it was money he made himself, on his own terms, without asking anyone for anything. That felt different. That felt like something worth building on.
So, What Does a Virtual Assistant Actually Do?
One of the biggest misconceptions about virtual assistants is that they only answer emails or schedule meetings. That is only a small part of the job. A virtual assistant is simply someone who helps a business owner or company handle tasks remotely, and those tasks depend entirely on the client's needs. For one client it could be managing their calendar. For another it might be responding to customer enquiries, updating a website, creating social media content, or keeping records organised.
Some virtual assistants specialise in customer support. Others focus on bookkeeping, lead generation, project management, data entry, research, or digital marketing. The list keeps growing because businesses are outsourcing more work than ever before. A business owner does not have to hire someone full time for every task. Instead, they hire a skilled virtual assistant who can get the job done from anywhere in the world. Companies save money, virtual assistants get flexible work, and it is a genuine win for both sides.
The global virtual assistant services market was valued at approximately USD 19.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 55.4 billion by 2035. The demand is real and it is growing.
Why Is This the Right Time to Become a Virtual Assistant?
Digital Witch has trained over 150,000 students across Africa and Africans living in the UK, USA, Canada, and beyond. The reason it works across all these locations is simple. Businesses everywhere need skilled remote support and geography no longer determines who gets to provide it.
The exchange rate is working in your favour
When a client in the UK pays you in pounds or a US based business pays you in dollars, that income converts into something that can genuinely transform your financial situation at home. According to Upwork's official platform data, virtual assistants charge an average of $18 to $35 per hour depending on skills and experience. Even at the lower end of that range, the naira equivalent represents earnings most Nigerian salaries cannot compete with.
Remote work is now a permanent fixture of global business
As of 2025, more than a third of worldwide job openings offer hybrid or fully remote options. The hesitation that once surrounded remote hiring has largely disappeared. Businesses have spent years working with distributed teams and they know it produces results. That shift has created a very real, accessible door for skilled Africans who were once limited purely by geography.
The skills are learnable regardless of your background
You do not need a technology degree to become a virtual assistant. What you need is clear communication, the ability to manage tasks independently, attention to detail, and the willingness to learn tools that in most cases take days not years to get comfortable with.
You can start with just a phone
A laptop is helpful but it is not a prerequisite. Many Digital Witch graduates began their journey with nothing more than a smartphone and a data plan. As their income grew, they upgraded their equipment. Do not let the absence of a laptop become the reason you delay starting.
What Skills Do You Actually Need to Become a Virtual Assistant?
Most people overthink this part. They assume they need to already know everything before they can start training. They do not. Here is what you are actually working towards.
1. Professional Communication in English
You need to write clearly, concisely, and in a tone that reflects well on your client. Not elaborate grammar. Not formal corporate language. Just clear, professional, and easy to understand. If you can compose a message that gets your point across without confusion, you are already building on the right foundation.
2. Email and Calendar Management
The majority of VA roles involve managing an inbox and keeping a schedule organised. The tools are straightforward. Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook. What matters is not the software itself but how you use it. Knowing how to prioritise, respond appropriately, and keep everything running without needing constant direction is the actual skill.
3. Organisation and Personal Discipline
Remote work removes the structure that an office provides. There is no supervisor checking in, no commute to signal the start of a workday. You manage yourself entirely. If you are already the kind of person who runs a household, coordinates responsibilities, and shows up for things without being chased, you have this in you already.
4. Customer Support and Client Communication
A significant portion of VA work involves interacting with people on behalf of your client. Responding to enquiries, handling complaints with patience, keeping communication clear and professional at all times. This is one of the most consistently in demand VA skills in the remote market and Digital Witch covers this in depth as part of the core programme.
5. Basic Digital Literacy
Comfort with a smartphone or laptop, the ability to attend online calls, navigate cloud based tools, and work within platforms like Slack, Trello, or Zoom. Everything beyond the basics is covered in training. You do not need to arrive knowing it all.
What Does Digital Witch Actually Teach?
Digital Witch is an IT training company that educates non-tech and career transitioning individuals on practical digital skills so they can work remotely and earn online. Depending on your interest and where you want to go, there are different programmes to choose from.
The IT Support Programme
This is the flagship programme and it covers far more than most people expect. In six weeks of live training on Zoom, you learn:
- Virtual Assistance
- Customer Support
- Telemarketing and Cold Calling Basics
- Telehealth Support
- Airbnb and Itinerary Management
- Technical Support
- Tech Sales and Workflow Automation
- Calendar and Email Management
- Appointment Setting and Lead Generation
- Project Management Tools
- Introduction to Account Management
- How to Use AI Tools including ChatGPT
- Upwork Profile Creation
- Writing Job Proposals and Cover Letters
- How to Apply for Jobs on Freelancing Platforms
- Interview Preparation
Classes run live on Zoom every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Every session is recorded so if you miss a class, it is always there. After you graduate, you remain in the WhatsApp community where you continue to receive job leads, support, accountability, and connection with fellow graduates. Some students land their first client before they even finish the six weeks.
Advanced Tech Programme
For those who want to move into higher paying technical roles. The Advanced Tech Programme covers Cloud Computing, Cloud Security, DevOps, System Administration, and Technical Support.
Partner Programmes with Internship
Through a training partnership, Digital Witch also offers Project Management, Business Analysis, and Data Analysis programmes. Each includes three months of training followed by three months of internship, giving graduates documented real world experience alongside their qualification.
How to Get Started as a Virtual Assistant
Step 1: Enrol in structured training
Before anything else, get properly trained. The worst thing you can do is try to piece together knowledge from scattered YouTube videos and then present yourself to clients without a real foundation. The Digital Witch IT Support Programme covers everything from core VA skills to job application strategy in six weeks. All sessions are recorded. Support continues after graduation. Visit digitalwitchng.com to get started.
Step 2: Build your online presence
Once you have your training, make sure you can be found. You need a professional LinkedIn profile and accounts on the freelancing platforms where clients are actively searching for VAs. The most widely used include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour, and Remote.co.
Step 3: Create a portfolio of sample work
You do not need years of experience to have a portfolio. Draft a few professional email responses. Build a sample content calendar. Create a simple document showing how you would organise someone's inbox. The goal is to show potential clients what working with you actually looks like.
Step 4: Apply consistently and refine as you go
Some people land a client within two weeks of finishing training. Others take a few months. The gap between those who succeed and those who do not is almost never talent. It is almost always consistency. Apply regularly, pay close attention to what is working, adjust your approach, and keep going.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn as a Virtual Assistant?
According to Upwork's official platform data, virtual assistants charge an average of $18 to $35 per hour depending on skills and experience. Beginners typically start between $10 and $25 per hour globally. With experience and strong client reviews, rates rise considerably.
The consistent thread across every Digital Witch graduate who has reached strong income levels is not luck or connections. It is consistency and a willingness to keep improving.
What Tools Does a Virtual Assistant Need to Know?
Communication
Gmail, Slack, Zoom, WhatsApp Business, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet.
Task and Project Management
Google Calendar, Trello, Notion, Asana, ClickUp, Monday.com.
Customer Support Platforms
HubSpot, Freshdesk, Zendesk. If your VA role includes customer facing support, you will likely be working inside one of these.
File and Document Management
Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive.
Social Media and Design
Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, and Canva for graphics.
Time Tracking
Toggl and Clockify. When billing clients by the hour, accurate time tracking is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a virtual assistant without a degree?
Yes. Remote clients care about what you can do, not what your certificate says. What matters is your skills, your professionalism, and your ability to deliver results consistently. Many of Digital Witch's most successful graduates have no university degree.
How long is the Digital Witch VA training?
The Digital Witch IT Support Programme runs for six weeks. Classes are live on Zoom every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Every session is recorded so you can revisit anything you need to. After training, you remain in the WhatsApp community with ongoing support, job leads, and accountability.
Do I need a laptop to start training as a VA?
A laptop is recommended for full flexibility but it is not a requirement to start. Many Digital Witch graduates began their training on a smartphone. You can manage with your phone for now and invest in a laptop as your income grows.
How much do virtual assistants earn per hour?
According to Upwork's official platform data, virtual assistants charge an average of $18 to $35 per hour depending on skills and experience. Beginners typically start between $10 and $25 per hour globally.
What platforms can I use to find VA clients?
The most widely used platforms include Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, PeoplePerHour, Remote.co, and LinkedIn. Your Digital Witch training covers how to set up and use these platforms effectively.
Can I get a client before I finish my training?
Yes. It happens regularly at Digital Witch. Some students land their first client or receive a job offer before they complete the six weeks. The practical skills taught early in the programme are sufficient to begin applying.
Can a stay-at-home mum or nursing mother do this?
Absolutely. VA work is one of the most flexible career paths available. You choose your hours, you choose your clients, and you work from wherever your children are. A significant portion of Digital Witch's graduate community are mothers building careers on their own terms.
What does the Digital Witch IT Support programme actually cover?
The programme covers eighteen skills in six weeks including Virtual Assistance, Customer Support, Telemarketing, Telehealth Support, Airbnb Management, Tech Sales, AI Tools, Upwork Profile Creation, Interview Preparation, and more.
Is Digital Witch only for Nigerians?
Not at all. Digital Witch has trained over 150,000 students across Africa and Africans living in the UK, USA, Canada, and other countries. The skills taught are globally applicable.
How do I become a virtual assistant with no experience?
Enrol in structured training, complete the programme, build a portfolio of sample work, and begin applying consistently. Experience comes from doing the work. Training is what positions you to get that first opportunity.
Where to Go From Here
Adunola did not have anything you do not have right now. What separated her from where she started to where she is now was a decision to start, and the discipline to see it through.
Digital Witch offers different programmes depending on your interest and where you want to go. The training is live, practical, and the community stays with you after you graduate. Everything you need is at digitalwitchng.com.
References
- Future Market Insights. Virtual Assistant Services Market. 2025. Available from: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/virtual-assistant-services-market
- Vena Solutions. Remote Work Statistics and Trends for 2026. 2025. Available from: https://www.venasolutions.com/blog/remote-work-statistics
- Upwork. Virtual Assistant Hourly Rates: Cost to Hire Virtual Assistant. 2026. Available from: https://www.upwork.com/hire/virtual-assistants/cost/
- Ruul. Freelance Virtual Assistant Rates. 2025. Available from: https://ruul.io/blog/freelance-virtual-assistant-rates
