If you enjoy watching creators on TikTok and you want to support them with gifts, you’ll need TikTok coins. But if you’re in Nigeria, buying coins isn’t always straightforward.
Some payment methods work, some don’t, and prices can vary depending on how you buy. Here are the simplest and most reliable ways Nigerians are currently using to purchase TikTok coins.
Maybe you’re not a creator trying to cash out – maybe you’re a viewer who wants to buy coins so you can send gifts to creators you love. This also has challenges in Nigeria.
Method 1: Nigerian Bank Cards (Limited Success)
Some Nigerian bank cards work directly in TikTok for buying coins, but success rates vary wildly by bank.
Cards that Nigerian users report working most consistently:
- UBA (United Bank for Africa)
- Access Bank
- GTBank (though less reliable than it used to be)
To try this method, open TikTok, go to your profile, tap the coins icon or Balance section, select “Recharge,” choose your coin package, and try to pay with your Nigerian debit card. Some report says microfinance banks card like kuda virtual card also works fine.
The minimum is usually around ₦990 for 70 coins. If your card is rejected, you’ll need to use alternative methods.
Method 2: VPN to Cheaper Regions
Here’s a trick that savvy users employ – coins are priced differently in different countries. Turkey and India typically have the cheapest prices due to currency values and TikTok’s regional pricing.
Install a VPN, connect to Turkey or India, then go to desktop.tiktok.com (this works better than mobile for this purpose). Log in and go to the coin purchase section. You’ll see prices that are about 20-30% cheaper than Nigerian prices.
Purchase coins while connected to that VPN. They’ll be added to your account and you can use them normally. This only works for buying, not for cashing out.
Method 3: Buy from Exchangers
The same third-party exchangers that buy diamonds from creators also sell coins to viewers. Visit sites like Xchange.com.ng, select “Buy TikTok Coins,” pay them in naira through bank transfer or mobile money, and they’ll deliver the coins to your TikTok account.
The process usually takes 5-15 minutes. Their rates are typically slightly worse than buying directly (you pay a bit more per coin) but if your cards aren’t working, this is your most reliable option.
Method 4: Gift Cards
You can buy international gift cards (like US iTunes or Google Play cards) with naira from Nigerian gift card vendors, then use those gift cards to buy TikTok coins.
Purchase a US iTunes or Google Play card from services like Rewarble or directly from vendors on social media. Load the gift card into your Apple or Google account. Then in TikTok, when you go to buy coins, select iTunes or Google Play as your payment method. The charge goes against your gift card balance.
This method is more expensive because you’re paying the gift card markup plus TikTok’s coin prices, but it works reliably.
Real Earnings: What Nigerian Creators Actually Make
Let’s talk real numbers so you know what to expect. I’ve talked to Nigerian creators at different levels and here’s what they report.
Small Creators (1,000-10,000 followers)
These creators go live occasionally, maybe 2-3 times per week. They might get a few gifts each live stream – mostly small ones like roses and hearts.
Monthly earnings: Usually 5,000-15,000 diamonds, which converts to about ₦40,000-₦120,000 naira after all the exchange fees and conversions. Not life-changing money but decent supplemental income.
Mid-Level Creators (10,000-100,000 followers)
These creators go live more regularly, have established audiences, and occasionally get bigger gifts like hearts, drama queens, or even roses in bulk.
Monthly earnings: 20,000-100,000 diamonds, which converts to roughly ₦160,000-₦800,000 naira. Some in this range are making enough to treat TikTok as a serious side hustle or even part-time income.
Large Creators (100,000+ followers)
These are the creators who regularly get universe gifts, sports cars, and other high-value items. They might go live daily, have thousands of viewers per live, and have superfans who spend heavily.
Monthly earnings: 200,000+ diamonds, converting to ₦1.6 million naira and up. The top Nigerian TikTok creators are reportedly making several million naira per month primarily from live gifts.
Important Reality Check
These numbers are before TikTok’s 50% cut and before exchange fees. So when you see someone receive what looks like ₦500,000 worth of gifts in a live stream, they’re really taking home maybe ₦200,000-250,000 after everything.
Also, earnings are incredibly inconsistent. One month you might have generous viewers and make great money. The next month those same viewers might be broke or lose interest and your earnings drop by 80%. Very few creators have steady, predictable income from TikTok gifts.