4 Outlier Alternatives for Nigerians and How to Get Paid
Since Outlier launched, the platform has become one of the most popular ways for Nigerians to earn in dollars from home. Run by Scale AI, it pays writers, coders, graduates and subject experts to train AI models: rating chatbot answers, writing prompts, fixing code and checking facts. For many people, it was steady side income, and for some, their main source of earnings.
Recently, that changed. Outlier's Flexible Working Guidelines, updated on 15 July 2026, list the countries contributors can work from, and Nigeria isn't on the list. New sign-ups from Nigeria now fail at the ID and location check, and Outlier also bans using a VPN to get around it.
Since then, many Nigerians have been searching for platforms that offer the same kind of work and still accept them. In this guide, we'll walk you through four Outlier alternatives, what each one is, what they require, how to succeed on them, and how to receive your money in Nigeria.
🔗 Also read: Outlier AI vs Handshake AI.
Key takeaways
- Nigeria isn't on Outlier's list of supported countries, and using a VPN to get around it breaks Outlier's rules.
- Mindrift is the most accessible alternative. It accepts Nigerians, has tasks open to everyone, and pays through Payoneer twice a month.
- Mercor suits experienced professionals and pays weekly through Stripe straight to a Nigerian bank account.
- Micro1 hires experts worldwide, including Nigerians, and pays in USD through Deel, so you can withdraw straight to a USD bank account.
- CrowdGen by Appen is a good entry-level option with Payoneer payouts.
- A Raenest USD account lets you receive your Payoneer earnings, hold them in dollars and convert when the rate suits you.
1. Micro1
Micro1 is a US-based AI data company that hires experts around the world as independent contractors to train and evaluate AI models. Like Outlier, it pays in US dollars. Unlike Outlier, it's open to Nigerians and pays through Deel, which makes withdrawals easy.
What you'll do
You use your field knowledge to test and improve AI models, such as writing tough questions, grading AI answers and correcting mistakes. Roles cover areas like maths, science, finance, law, medicine, coding and writing. Most projects expect about 15 to 20 hours a week, and you can keep your day job.
What they require
- Real skill or experience in the field you apply for
- A 20- to 30-minute video interview with Zara, Micro1's AI interviewer
- An identity check (ID and selfie) and a background check through KarmaCheck
- KYC verification on Deel before you can be paid
- Your own laptop and a reliable internet connection
How you get paid
Micro1 pays in USD twice a month through Deel, according to its FAQ. Depending on the project, you're paid hourly, per approved task, or a flat fee per task.
From Deel, you can withdraw by bank transfer. The simplest route is to add your Raenest USD account details in Deel and withdraw your dollars straight there, with no PayPal or Payoneer in between.
Tips for success
- Prepare for the Zara interview. Sit in a quiet, well-lit room, test your camera and mic, and give specific examples from your work.
- Don't rush it. Many people fail the first attempt because they treat the AI interview casually.
- Complete your Deel profile and KYC as soon as you get the contract. Payments can't start until it's 100% done.
- Be patient after passing. You may wait days or weeks before you're matched to a project.
- Track your time accurately in the tool your project uses. You're paid only for approved hours or tasks.
2. Mindrift
Mindrift is the AI training platform run by Toloka, a data company founded in 2014. It's one of the most accessible options for Nigerians right now. Nigeria isn't on its restricted or unsupported country lists, and Toloka's older tasks have now moved onto Mindrift too.
What you'll do
Mindrift has two levels of work:
- All-access tasks: open to everyone from day one. You rate and compare AI answers, label content, judge search results and sometimes record short videos.
- Specialised projects: unlocked by passing qualifications. Here you work as an "AI Tutor" in your field, writing tough prompts, editing AI answers and building scoring criteria. These pay more.
Every task shows a fixed reward before you start, so you know what you'll earn. Pay depends on the project and your location.
What they require
- You must be 18 or older
- You must pass an identity and residency check
- Good English, plus proven skill in your field for Specialized projects
- Some projects need a specific country, language or qualification set by the client
How you get paid
Payouts go through Payoneer or Tipalti (PayPal), twice a month. Work from the 1st to the 15th is paid on the 5th, and work from the 16th to month-end is paid on the 20th. Only accepted tasks are paid.
Tips for success
- Start with All-access tasks to build a track record, then move to qualifications.
- Fill in your skills and background fully. That's how Mindrift matches you to Specialised projects.
- Read the task guidelines twice. Rejected tasks aren't paid.
- Don't paste AI-written answers into tasks. Many projects ban AI tools, and it's an easy way to lose access.
- Never use a VPN. Mindrift bans it and can seize pending payments.
- Join the Mindrift subreddit to learn from other contributors.
3. Mercor
Mercor is a talent marketplace that matches skilled professionals with AI labs and companies that need expert help training their models. It works less like a task board and more like a job platform. You apply to specific roles, get screened, and are hired as an independent contractor on an hourly rate.
What you'll do
Roles cover a wide range of fields, including software engineering, law, medicine, finance, writing and teaching. Most involve creating expert-level prompts and answers, reviewing AI output in your field, or building evaluation tasks. Contracts are paid in US dollars.
What they require
- Real experience or qualifications in the field you apply for
- An identity check, including a selfie
- A short AI-led interview, and sometimes a paid work trial before you get an offer
- The Insightful desktop app, which tracks your hours and takes periodic screenshots while you work
- A location that meets the project's requirements
Nigeria is on Mercor's list of supported payment countries. However, each listing sets its own eligible countries, so check that before you apply.
How you get paid
Mercor pays weekly through Stripe, straight into a bank account in your country. Your first Stripe payout has a 7-day hold, and after that, payouts are processed every Wednesday, according to Mercor's pay policy. Mercor doesn't pay through PayPal or Payoneer.
Tips for success
- Apply only for roles that match your real background. Mercor screens closely, and good fit beats volume.
- Prepare for the AI interview like a real one. Find a quiet room, test your mic and camera, and give specific examples from your work.
- Use the same legal name on your Mercor offer, Stripe account and bank account. A mismatch delays payment.
- Keep the Insightful timer running only when you're working. Idle time gets removed and can cost you the project.
- Watch out for scams. Real Mercor emails end in @mercor.com, and Mercor never charges you to apply or start work.
4. CrowdGen by Appen
CrowdGen is Appen's contributor platform, an Australian AI data company founded in 1996. It replaced the older Appen Connect portal in September 2024, so if you've heard of Appen, it's the same company. CrowdGen works with contributors in over 200 countries, and Nigeria is one of its biggest contributor markets.
What you'll do
CrowdGen's work is more entry-level than Outlier's. Projects include rating search results and ads, labelling text, images and audio, recording speech samples, and checking AI answers. Some projects match you to tasks based on your field or language.
What they require
- A CrowdGen account with your real details and country
- Passing each project's qualification test (study guides are provided)
- Working only from your registered country, as you can't work on projects while abroad
- For some projects, a specific language or local knowledge
How you get paid
CrowdGen pays in US dollars once you reach a project's minimum. Payout options include Payoneer, PayPal, Airtm and bank transfer, though not every option is open in every country. For Nigerians, Payoneer is usually the most practical route. Payment can be slow, so don't plan urgent bills around it.
Tips for success
- Apply to several projects at once. Spots are competitive, especially in Nigeria, India and the Philippines.
- Use the study guides before every qualification test. Many people fail because they skim them.
- Set up your payment method before you start working.
- Expect lower pay than Outlier. CrowdGen works best as a starter platform or a top-up alongside Mindrift or Mercor.
- Never pay anyone for a CrowdGen account or "training". The platform is free to join.
🔗 Also read: Best AI training jobs that pay in USD.
How to receive money from these platforms in Nigeria
Getting accepted is only half the work. Each platform pays through a different service, and not all of them work well in Nigeria. Here's how each one pays and the best route for your money.
Micro1 pays in US dollars twice a month through Deel. From your Deel balance, you can withdraw by bank transfer straight to your Raenest USD account.
Mindrift pays twice a month, on the 5th and 20th, through Payoneer or Tipalti (PayPal). Since Nigerian PayPal accounts can't receive money, choose Payoneer, then move your dollars to your Raenest USD account.
Mercor pays weekly through Stripe, with payouts processed on Wednesdays. The money goes straight to your bank account in Nigeria, but your first payout has a 7-day hold.
CrowdGen pays once you reach a project's minimum, through Payoneer, PayPal, Airtm or bank transfer. Payoneer is usually the most practical choice for Nigerians, and from there you can move your dollars to your Raenest USD account.
Why move your money to Raenest?
Payoneer is the most common payout route for Nigerians, but keeping your earnings there means paying its withdrawal fees and accepting its rates when you withdraw. With a Raenest USD account, you can receive money from Payoneer, Wise and Deel, hold it in dollars, and convert to naira only when the rate works for you. You can also withdraw to your Nigerian bank account or spend with a Raenest USD card.
How to set it up
- Download the Raenest app and create and verify your account.
- Go to the Accounts tab and select Create USD Account.
- Copy your USD account details.
- Add them as a withdrawal bank in Payoneer (or the platform's payout settings, where allowed).
- When your earnings arrive, hold them in USD or convert to naira and withdraw.
A few payment rules to follow
- Use the same legal name on every account: the AI platform, Payoneer, Stripe and Raenest. A name mismatch is the most common reason payouts fail.
- Set up your payment method before you start working, so your first payout isn't delayed.
- Never pay anyone to "activate" your account or release your earnings. None of these platforms charges contributors.
Conclusion
Losing access to Outlier doesn't mean losing access to AI training work. Micro1, Mindrift, Mercor and CrowdGen all pay people to help train AI, and most of them are open to Nigerians today.
The smartest approach is to apply to more than one. Task supply on every platform rises and falls, so having two or three accounts keeps your income steadier. Start with Mindrift or CrowdGen if you're new to AI training, and apply to Micro1 or Mercor if you have strong expertise in a field.
Whichever platforms you choose, sort out your payments before your first task. Open a Raenest USD account, connect it to your payout method, and keep more of the dollars you earn.
