How I Made My First Affiliate Commission in Nigeria (Step-by-Step Case Study)
- David Bisina
- Dec 7
- 6 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
If you live in Nigeria, you have probably asked yourself the same question I did: "How can I actually make money online without getting scammed?"
I was exactly where you are. I was open to anything, scrolling through social media, looking for a way out. I didn't have a big budget, I didn't have a laptop, and I honestly didn't know where to start.
But then, everything changed.
In this case study, I am going to break down exactly how I went from a complete novice to making N20,000 in my first 48 hours and scaling to N70,000 in a single week. This isn't theory. This is the exact step-by-step process I used.
Want the short version? If you prefer a quick roadmap, you can grab my Free Affiliate Marketing Starter Guide here immediately.
The Discovery: From Skeptic to Believer
It all started with a simple WhatsApp status.
I had a friend from school who I knew wasn't a "guru" or a tech genius. But one day, I saw him post a screenshot of his earnings. He had made money just by making sales online. I didn't understand it at first, so I just watched.
The following weekend, he posted again. This time, he had made N70,000 in a single week.
That was the moment my curiosity beat my skepticism. I messaged him and asked, "What is this?"
He explained it was Affiliate Marketing. He simply recommended helpful digital products to people who needed them, and every time someone bought through his link, he got a commission.
But I had one big fear.
I asked him, "If I start, do I have to disturb people? Do I have to message strangers and beg them to buy?"
His answer changed my mindset forever. He said: "No. Look at us right now. You are the one who messaged me. I didn't message you."
That was the "Aha!" moment. I realized that if I learned how to position myself correctly, I wouldn't have to chase anyone.
The Turning Point: Investing in the Right Knowledge
I knew I couldn't figure this out by guessing. I needed a structured guide.
So, I gathered my funds and purchased the Digistem Ultimate Money Making Machine (UMM) Course.
Why Digistem? Unlike other platforms like Expertnaire which require a higher registration fee, I found Digistem’s entry point much more accessible for a beginner like me.
This course wasn't just about "selling." It taught me high-income digital skills that are valuable even outside of affiliate marketing. In just two weeks, I went from a novice to learning:
Copywriting: How to write words that sell.
Video Editing: How to create simple content for TikTok and Reels.
WhatsApp Marketing: How to close sales without being "salesy."
Lead Generation: How to get people to come to me.
These skills are crucial because, as reports show, internet penetration in Nigeria is growing rapidly, with over 103 million internet users as of early 2024. This means the market for digital skills and online business is huge if you know how to tap into it.
The Setup: Preparing for Launch
I spent two weeks learning and implementing. By the end of the second week, I had my system ready. I didn't just spam links; I built a simple funnel:
A Lead Magnet: I created a short video using the editing skills I learned from the UMM course.
A Business WhatsApp: I set up a dedicated line for my business.
Automation: I set up auto-responder messages so that when new people messaged me, they got an instant reply even if I was asleep.
The Obstacle: Dealing with Discouragement
It wasn't all smooth sailing. The night before I planned to launch (a Sunday), I told a close friend about my plan.
His response? "It won't work. Don't waste your time."
I was crushed. I actually delayed my launch on Monday because of his words. But later that day, I saw another Digistem affiliate making waves. I joined her Telegram channel to observe. She cleared my doubts and gave me a simple instruction: "Just post."
That pushed me to ignore the negativity and take action.
The Launch & First Sale
On Tuesday morning, I finally posted my video. I attached my Business WhatsApp link to it.
Almost immediately, my phone started buzzing. People were flooding into my DM asking for more information. It was a wholesome moment—I realized I had built something that actually worked.
I used the Sales Closing scripts I learned from the course to explain how it worked to them.
The Result?
The very next day, I made 2 sales in the space of one hour. That was N20,000 in my first 48 hours of actively doing affiliate marketing.
For a beginner, this was unprecedented. Most people take weeks to make their first sale. I credit this speed to two things:
God's grace.
Good preparation (following the UMM course instructions).
Scaling Up: From N20k to N50k
Once I saw it worked, I just repeated the process.
I kept posting content.
I kept driving traffic to my WhatsApp.
I kept helping people understand the value of the product.
In my first 30 days, I made N50,000. By my 5th week, I hit a personal record: N50,000 in a single week.
Making N20k was great, but my next goal was to hit steady daily income. I actually wrote a full breakdown on the math behind this in my other post: Can You Really Make $100 a Day With Affiliate Marketing? (Honest Breakdown).
How to Make Your First Affiliate Sale in Nigeria (3 Steps)
Affiliate marketing in Nigeria is real, and it is paying bills for thousands of young people. But you need to start the right way.
Here is the exact framework I used:
Step 1: Join a Reputable Platform (Like Digistem)
Don't just pick random products. Join a platform that offers training and confirmed payouts in Naira. The Digistem UMM Course is exactly what I used to build my foundation.
Step 2: Build a 'Lead Magnet'
Never send traffic directly to a sales page. Offer something free first (like a video or a PDF) to get them to trust you. This allows you to capture their contact details.
Step 3: Drive Traffic via WhatsApp
In Nigeria, WhatsApp is king. Use your status and groups to share your journey. As my story showed, people trust recommendations from "real humans" on WhatsApp more than faceless ads.
Ready to take the first step?
I have put together a free guide that breaks down the basics for you so you don't have to start from zero like I did.
Download My Free Affiliate Marketing Starter Guide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is affiliate marketing a scam?
No, affiliate marketing is a legitimate business model where you earn a commission for promoting products. It is used by major global companies; for example, Amazon has one of the largest affiliate programs in the world, and many Nigerians earn legally through these platforms daily.
2. Do I need a laptop to start?
No, you do not need a laptop to start. I started my journey using just my smartphone and my WhatsApp. With mobile internet speeds in Nigeria increasing by over 33% in the last year, a smartphone is powerful enough to run your entire business.
3. How much money do I need to start?
You can start with very little capital, but investing in a course (like the UMM course) is highly recommended to save time. Affiliate marketing is often considered a low-risk business because you don't need to buy inventory or rent a shop.
4. How quickly will I make money?
I made my first sale in 48 hours, but this is not guaranteed for everyone. Your results depend on how well you learn the skills (copywriting, traffic generation) and how consistent you are with your marketing efforts.
5. What if I don't like selling?
The modern approach to affiliate marketing isn't about "selling"—it's about "recommending." If you learn Inbound Marketing (which attracts people to you, like I did with my WhatsApp status), you never have to beg or force anyone to buy.
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