How to Find Remote SaaS Sales Jobs From Nigeria

The hard part is not finding sales ads. It's spotting which "remote" ads actually accept you, which commission plans are fair, and how to sell to US or UK buyers from Lagos without burning out. This guide covers the roles, where to search, how to read the location line and the OTE figure, how to become a technology sales consultant from scratch, and the Nigerian realities of power, time zones and getting paid.

Quick answer

To find remote SaaS sales jobs from Nigeria, search ATS boards (Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable) and country-filtered remote job boards for SDR, BDR and account executive roles marked "worldwide", "Africa" or "Nigeria". Read the location line and application questions before applying, because many "EMEA" ads are limited to the UK or EU. Start with SDR roles, learn a CRM (HubSpot or Salesforce, both free to learn), and expect pay below US rates.

What SaaS sales is (and why "software sales" and "tech sales" mean the same job)

SaaS stands for software as a service: software customers pay for by subscription, such as a monthly or yearly licence, instead of buying it once. SaaS sales is the work of finding businesses that need that software, persuading them to buy it, and keeping them paying.

When job boards say "software sales", "tech sales", "sales in the software industry" or "technology sales consultant", they almost always mean the same family of roles. The skills carry across. If you can book a demo for a payroll tool, you can book one for a cybersecurity tool, as long as you learn the product.

Three features make SaaS sales different from selling phones in a shop or insurance door to door:

• It is B2B. You sell to businesses, often to a manager or department head, not to individuals.
• Revenue is recurring. Companies care about renewals and upgrades as much as new deals, so there are sales roles after the first sale too.
• The work is already remote by nature. Prospecting happens over email, LinkedIn and phone, and demos happen on Zoom or Google Meet. That's why SaaS companies hire sales staff remotely more readily than most industries do.

For the wider picture of B2B sales across all industries, see our B2B sales career guide.

The main remote SaaS sales roles

SaaS sales teams split the sales process into stages, and each stage is a separate job. Knowing the titles helps you search properly and apply at the right level.

SDR (sales development representative) and BDR (business development representative) are largely interchangeable titles. Some companies use BDR for outbound prospecting and SDR for inbound leads, but the ad will tell you which.

"Technology sales consultant" usually maps to either an AE role or a sales engineer role, depending on how technical the product is. Our role guides for becoming a remote sales development representative, working as an account executive and moving into customer success cover the skills and tools for each in more depth.

Which SaaS sales jobs Nigerians can actually apply for

Nigerians can apply for remote software sales jobs when the ad allows applicants in Nigeria, Africa or anywhere in the world, and when it doesn't ask for existing work authorisation in another country. Most SaaS sales ads do not meet that test, so filtering on location matters more than filtering on job title.

Sales roles are more location-restricted than, say, engineering roles, for a practical reason: a sales rep is assigned a territory, and the company often wants someone who lives in that market, speaks its language and can attend local events. Employment law and payroll also push companies to hire in countries where they already have an entity.

Example: one "remote" role open worldwide, one limited to a single country

Two live ads we opened in October 2026 show the difference clearly.

• Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) advertises a Graduate Sales Development Representative role with the location "Home based - Worldwide". The ad says the application accepts candidates without a degree, mentions a $2,000 yearly learning budget, and expects staff to attend in-person company events 4 to 6 times a year, which may require visas. For a Nigerian passport holder, that visa point is a real consideration.
• Everbridge advertises an Account Executive role on Lever that is described as remote, but the ad says it "can be based anywhere in the UK" and asks for at least 5 years of SaaS or hosted software sales experience. A Nigeria-based applicant is not eligible.

Both say "remote". Only one is open to you. Ads change and close, so check the live listing before applying.

How to read the location line on a SaaS sales ad

EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) is the label that catches most Nigerian applicants out. Plenty of EMEA sales roles are only open to people in a few European countries. Our explainer on what EMEA means in a remote job description covers how to read it.

Also look at the application form. Questions such as "Do you have the right to work in [country]?" or "Are you located in [region]?" are the employer telling you the real restriction, even when the location line is vague.

Where to find remote SaaS sales jobs

No single board has all of them. Spread your search across these five channels and save each search so new ads come to you.

1. Search ATS job boards directly

Most SaaS companies post jobs through an applicant tracking system (ATS), and many ATS job pages are public and searchable on Google. Search strings that work:

• site:job-boards.greenhouse.io "sales development representative" worldwide
• site:jobs.lever.co "account executive" remote Africa
• site:jobs.ashbyhq.com SDR "anywhere"
• site:apply.workable.com "sales development" Nigeria

Swap in "BDR", "account manager", "solutions consultant" or "customer success". Results are often mixed with aggregator copies, so always click through to the original ad and read the location field there. Our guide to finding remote jobs on company career pages explains this method step by step.

2. Use remote job boards that filter by country

Some aggregators let you filter for jobs open to Nigeria. A snapshot of Remote Rocketship's Nigeria SDR page, opened on 27 October 2026, listed SDR ads marked "Anywhere in the World" alongside several that named Nigeria. One was a Scale Army SDR role listing Nigeria with pay of $1,300 to $1,600 a month. Aggregator data is third-party, so treat it as a lead and confirm on the employer's own page.

On WorkRemote's job listings, each ad shows the company, its website and where applicants may live, so you can rule out roles quickly. Search "SDR", "account executive" or "sales", or browse the business and marketing category.

3. Target outsourced SDR and sales-staffing agencies

A large share of Nigeria-eligible SaaS sales ads come from agencies that recruit sales staff in Africa, Latin America or Asia and place them with clients, often US or European software companies. In the October 2026 Remote Rocketship snapshot above, several Nigeria-eligible SDR ads came from agencies such as Huzzle and Scale Army rather than from software companies directly.

These roles are real routes in, but read the terms: you may be a contractor of the agency rather than an employee of the software company, and pay is usually a fixed monthly amount with a small bonus. Our guide on being a contractor or an employee explains what changes.

4. Look at software companies already selling into Africa

Companies that sell software across Africa sometimes hire Nigeria-based sales staff to cover West Africa, and those roles come with a territory that matches where you live. Search ATS boards for "West Africa", "Nigeria" or "Lagos" with "account executive". Check whether the role is remote or hybrid in Lagos, because many are office-based. If you lean towards payments software, see remote sales jobs in fintech.

5. LinkedIn, with a sales-ready profile

SaaS sales recruiters use LinkedIn heavily, and hiring managers judge a sales candidate partly on how well they present themselves there. Set your headline to the role you want ("SDR | B2B SaaS | HubSpot"), turn on open-to-work for recruiters only, and post occasionally about what you're learning. On LinkedIn Jobs, filter by "Remote" and then check each ad's location, because LinkedIn's remote filter does not mean "open to Nigeria".

How to read pay in a SaaS sales ad

SaaS sales pay is usually split into a base salary and variable pay (commission or bonus), quoted together as OTE (on-target earnings). OTE is what you earn if you hit 100% of your quota. Miss quota and you earn less. Beat it and you may earn more.

Key terms you'll see:

• Base: the fixed part, paid regardless of results.
• Variable / commission: paid on meetings booked (for SDRs) or revenue closed (for AEs).
• Split: for example 60/40, meaning 60% of OTE is base and 40% is variable. SDR roles often have a higher base share than AE roles.
• Quota: your target, such as meetings a month or annual contract value closed.
• Ramp: the first months, when quota is reduced while you learn.

Pay benchmarks, and why yours will be lower

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives selling technical and scientific products earned a median of $104,920 a year in May 2025, and that most employers pay a mix of salary and commission. Sales engineers, who sell technical products such as software, earned a median of $124,900 a year in May 2025.

These are US medians for US-based workers, not offers a Nigeria-based rep should expect. Remote sales pay for people in Nigeria is usually well below US local pay, especially through agencies. The Nigeria-eligible SDR ad in the snapshot above quoted $1,300 to $1,600 a month, which is about ₦1.77 million to ₦2.18 million a month at ₦1,362 to $1 (CBN rate, 23 October 2026). That's one ad, not a market average. Direct hires on worldwide teams can pay more.

For role-specific figures, see our SDR salary guide and account executive pay in dollars and naira. If you're weighing base against commission, read how to find remote sales jobs with a base salary.

Avoid commission-only "SaaS sales" roles at the start

Some ads offer commission only, with no base. For a new rep in Nigeria selling to strangers abroad, that often means months of unpaid work. Commission-only roles can work for experienced closers with a strong network, but they're a poor first job. Our article on the risks of commission-only sales roles explains when they're worth it.

How to become a remote technology sales consultant

You become a remote technology sales consultant by starting as an SDR or account manager, learning one CRM and one sales method well, and building proof that you can start conversations with business buyers. A degree helps for some employers but is not always required. Canonical's worldwide graduate SDR application, for example, lets candidates enter "no degree".

A realistic path from Nigeria:

1. Get relevant experience at home first. Nigerian B2B sales roles count: selling POS terminals to merchants, selling software or internet plans to SMEs, fintech merchant acquisition, or customer support at a tech company. Work that involves targets is the most useful.
2. Learn the inbound and outbound basics. HubSpot Academy's Inbound Sales certification course is free, about three hours long, and covers identifying buyers, personalised outreach, exploratory calls and presentations.
3. Learn a CRM properly. A CRM (customer relationship management system) is where sales teams log every lead and deal. Salesforce Trailhead is free and includes hands-on practice in real Salesforce environments. Our guides to CRM skills for remote sales professionals and using HubSpot for remote sales work go further.
4. Pick a niche you can talk about. If you've worked in banking, target fintech or compliance software. If you've worked in a school, target edtech. Knowing the buyer's world is what turns a sales rep into a consultant.
5. Build proof. Write three sample cold emails for a real SaaS product, record a two-minute mock discovery call, and map a list of 20 ideal customer accounts. See how to build a remote sales portfolio.
6. Practise the role-play. Most SaaS sales interviews include a mock cold call or discovery call. Prepare with our role-play assessment guide and the SDR interview questions.
7. Move up. After 12 to 24 months of hitting targets as an SDR, aim for AE roles. Our guide on progressing from SDR to account executive covers the step.

If you already work in support, the move is shorter than you think: see moving from customer service to remote sales.

Applying for SaaS sales roles: what makes hiring managers reply

Sales hiring managers read your application as a sales pitch. A generic CV and no message reads as a weak pitch.

Put numbers on your CV

Replace duties with results: "Booked 14 qualified meetings a month against a target of 10", "Signed 38 SME merchants in Q2", "Kept churn under 3% across 120 accounts". If you've never had a sales target, use the closest thing you have: customers served, satisfaction scores or renewals. Our team rewrites CVs as part of Premium (see what changes on a CV review), but the numbers have to come from you.

Send a short outreach message after applying

Find the sales manager or recruiter on LinkedIn and send a brief note. It shows the skill the job is hiring for.

Example (hypothetical): "Hi Sarah, I applied for the SDR role at [company] today. I've spent two years selling payment terminals to retailers in Lagos (112% of target last year) and I've been studying how [product] cuts reconciliation time for finance teams. I'm based in Nigeria, which the ad lists as eligible, and I'm comfortable working US Eastern hours. Happy to send a two-minute video of how I'd open a cold call for you. Thanks, Tunde."

Keep it under 100 words, mention one specific number, and confirm eligibility so they don't have to ask.

Track every application

Sales roles move fast and you'll apply to many. Keep a simple sheet with company, role, location rule, date applied, contact and follow-up date. The same habit is what your future manager will want in the CRM.

Nigeria-specific realities of remote SaaS sales

Time zones decide your working hours

Most SaaS sales roles open to Nigerians sell to US or UK buyers, and you work their hours.

US clocks go back on 1 November 2026, so from then US Eastern is 6 hours behind Lagos. UK-facing roles are the easiest to live with. US West Coast roles mean night work most of the year. Ask about hours at the first interview.

Power and internet are part of the job

An SDR who drops a call with a US prospect because NEPA took light has lost that meeting. Budget for an inverter or solar backup, two internet providers or a MiFi plus a phone hotspot, and a decent USB headset with noise cancelling. Calls usually run through a dialler the employer provides (cloud calling built into the CRM), so you don't pay for international calls, but you do need stable data.

Getting paid and paying tax

Worldwide SaaS teams often pay Nigeria-based staff through an employer of record (EOR) or as contractors via platforms like Deel or Remote. Agencies may pay straight into a dollar account. Commission is often paid a month in arrears, after the deal or meeting is confirmed. Our guides on receiving dollar payments in Nigeria and tax for remote workers under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 cover the money side.

Travel and visas

Some worldwide teams, Canonical among them, fly staff to in-person events abroad. That's a perk, but visa processing on a Nigerian passport takes time. Keep your passport valid and ask early how the employer supports visa letters.

Red flags in SaaS sales job ads

Sales is the category most copied by scammers and by low-quality offers, because "high earnings" is easy to promise. Watch for:

• Payment to start. Fees for training, "starter kits", software licences or certification before you're hired. Legitimate SaaS employers don't charge applicants.
• Commission-only with vague product details. If you can't find the product's website, pricing page or real customers, walk away.
• Interviews only on Telegram or WhatsApp. Real SaaS companies interview on Zoom, Google Meet or Teams, usually with several people.
• OTE with no base and no quota stated. You can't judge the offer without both.
• "Remote, EMEA" ads asking for your passport before an interview. Identity documents come at the contract or onboarding stage, through an HR or EOR platform.

Our page on spotting remote job scams in Nigeria covers the general warning signs, and how to evaluate a remote sales job offer helps you compare genuine offers.

Frequently asked questions

Can Nigerians get remote SaaS sales jobs with foreign companies?

Yes, when the ad accepts applicants in Nigeria, Africa or worldwide. Many SaaS sales ads are limited to the US, UK or EU because of territories and payroll, so check the location line and application questions first. Worldwide graduate SDR roles and outsourced SDR agencies are the most common routes in.

Do I need a degree to get into tech sales remotely?

Not always. Some employers ask for one, but others accept experience instead. Canonical's worldwide graduate SDR application, as of October 2026, lets candidates without a degree apply. Evidence of hitting targets matters more to most sales managers than the degree itself.

What is the best entry-level SaaS sales job?

The SDR or BDR role is the usual first step. You prospect, send cold emails and calls, and book meetings for account executives, so the job teaches you the product and the buyer. For more beginner routes across all industries, see our guide to entry-level remote sales jobs.

What does OTE mean in a remote sales job?

OTE means on-target earnings: base salary plus the commission or bonus you earn if you hit 100% of quota. A $3,000 OTE with a 50/50 split pays $1,500 fixed, and the rest depends on results. Always ask what percentage of reps hit quota last year.

How much do remote SaaS sales reps in Nigeria earn?

It varies widely, and there's no reliable public average for Nigeria-based reps. One Nigeria-eligible SDR agency ad in October 2026 quoted $1,300 to $1,600 a month. US medians are far higher ($104,920 for technical sales reps, May 2025) but apply to US-based workers. See our SDR salary guide for more figures.

Are software sales jobs for international candidates usually contractor roles?

Often, yes. Companies without a Nigerian entity tend to hire through an employer of record or as contractors via platforms such as Deel or Remote, and agencies usually hire contractors. The arrangement affects leave, notice periods and tax, so read the contract before signing.

Which CRM should I learn for SaaS sales?

Learn Salesforce or HubSpot, because they appear in a large share of SaaS sales ads. Both have free training: Salesforce Trailhead and HubSpot Academy. Pick one, learn it properly, and mention it on your CV and LinkedIn headline.

Can I sell to US customers from Nigeria with a Nigerian accent?

Yes. Clear speech, good pacing and preparation matter far more than accent. Practise cold-call openers out loud, record yourself, and use a quality headset in a quiet room. Hiring managers test this in the role-play, so treat it as a skill you can train.

Key takeaways

• SaaS sales, software sales and tech sales are the same family of roles: SDR, account executive, account manager, customer success and sales engineer.
• Most remote SaaS sales ads are restricted to one country or region, so filter on location first and read the application questions.
• Search ATS boards (Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable) with "worldwide", "Africa" or "Nigeria", and treat outsourced SDR agencies as a genuine way in.
• Expect pay below US benchmarks, understand OTE and quota before accepting, and avoid commission-only first jobs.
• Free HubSpot and Salesforce training, a niche you understand and proof of targets met are what move a Nigerian applicant up the shortlist.
• Plan for US or UK hours, backup power and internet, and how your commission reaches your account.

Next steps

Start with remote job listings on WorkRemote: search "SDR" or "account executive", check where each company accepts applicants from, and save the search with "Get email updates" for a free daily digest of new matching jobs. Then work through our guide to the best remote sales jobs for Nigerians to compare sales roles beyond software. If you want help with the application itself, Premium (₦29,999 a month) adds a CV and LinkedIn rewrite, applications sent on your behalf and one-on-one interview prep. It also comes with an interview invitation within your first week as a member (an invitation, not a job offer). See membership options.

Sources

• Graduate Sales Development Representative, Canonical (Greenhouse)
• Account Executive, Everbridge (Lever)
• Remote SDR jobs in Nigeria, Remote Rocketship
• Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives, Occupational Outlook Handbook, US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Sales Engineers, Occupational Outlook Handbook, US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Inbound Sales Certification Course, HubSpot Academy
• Trailhead, Salesforce