What Nigerian creators need to join and get paid on the X Creator Program

Nigerian creators can earn on X through Original Content Rewards if they meet the eligibility requirements.
11 minute read
What Nigerian creators need to join and get paid on the X Creator Program
Photo: Forbes

X monetization in Nigeria is now available through X’s new Original Content Rewards Program, allowing eligible creators to earn through the platform. X retired Creator Revenue Sharing on September 7, 2026. From September 8, X began giving existing Revenue Sharing participants access to apply for the new program.

Approval is not automatic. Creators need an eligible Premium plan, 500 verified followers, 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within 90 days, and original content. This article explains the eligibility requirements, payouts, qualified impressions, application process and reasons monetization can be rejected or removed.

What happened to X Creator Revenue Sharing?

X stopped accepting new applications for Creator Revenue Sharing on August 7, 2026. The program ended on September 7. According to X, existing participants would receive three final payouts, with the final payout covering earnings accrued through September 7 and expected on or around September 11.

Several factors influenced Creator Revenue Sharing earnings, including verified Home Timeline impressions, who viewed the content and content format. Its eligibility threshold was 5 million organic impressions within three months.

Under Original Content Rewards, X uses qualified impressions from original content to determine creator payouts. Reply impressions do not count toward the new 500,000-impression eligibility requirement. The program also excludes copied content and artificially generated impressions.

X did not automatically enroll existing Revenue Sharing participants. Starting September 8, X began rolling out access for existing participants to apply for Original Content Rewards.

Creator Revenue Sharing vs X Original Content Rewards

FeatureCreator Revenue SharingOriginal Content Rewards
StatusRetired September 7, 2026Active
Earning modelEarnings influenced by verified Home Timeline impressions, viewer type and content formatQualified impressions from original content
Impression requirement5 million organic impressions in 3 months500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users in 90 days
Follower requirement500 verified followers500 verified followers
Do reply impressions count?Not specified as excludedExcluded
Original contentNot a central eligibility requirementRequired

What changed under X Original Content Rewards?

Original content is one of the requirements under the new program. X uses qualified impressions generated by that content to determine creator payouts.

According to X, the program rewards original ideas, expertise, reporting, creativity and commentary. It defines original content as material personally written, filmed, designed or produced by the creator that reflects their own voice, perspective or expertise. The program also considers reacting to, analyzing or building on current events a form of original expression.

How X monetization in Nigeria works

X monetization in Nigeria is available through Original Content Rewards for eligible creators in the country.

In March 2026, Nigerian creator Oyindamola, known as @dammiedammie35, reportedly received about ₦32 million in accumulated X earnings after a previous account restriction was lifted. That payout related to X’s earlier monetization system, not Original Content Rewards.

X monetization in Nigeria: eligibility requirements

X Original Content Rewards eligibility requirements

RequirementWhat it means
LocationMust be based in a supported country
AgeAt least 18 years old
Account standingAccount must be in good standing with no history of repeatedly violating X’s Monetization Guidelines or Terms of Service
Account typePersonal or Business Account. Political and government organization accounts are not eligible
PremiumActive X Premium, Premium+ or X Premium Business subscription
Impressions500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users in the last 90 days, with reply impressions excluded
FollowersAt least 500 verified followers
ContentMust actively post original content as defined by X

For a qualified impression, the viewer must be a Premium user. X defines a qualified impression as a unique impression from a Premium user on the Home Timeline where at least 50% of the post is visible.

Meeting the requirements does not guarantee admission. X reviews each application and notifies the applicant of the outcome.

If X does not approve an application, the creator can submit one appeal. If the appeal is unsuccessful, they can reapply after 42 days, provided they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

What happens after approval?

Approval does not exempt an account from X’s ongoing monetization rules. X periodically reviews accounts in Original Content Rewards for compliance.

Creators must remain subscribed to Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business and continue posting original, authentic content. X also prohibits malicious or fraudulent activity, artificial engagement, tampering with the program or recommendation algorithms, false statements, abusive content, illegal activities and repeated requests for engagement.

How many followers are needed to get paid on X?

To qualify, X requires at least 500 verified followers to apply for Original Content Rewards.

However, X lists 500 verified followers as an eligibility requirement but does not define “verified followers” further on the program page.

How many impressions are needed to monetize X?

For eligibility, X requires 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the last 90 days. However, impressions on replies do not count. The platform defines a qualified impression as a unique impression from a Premium user on the Home Timeline where at least 50% of the post is visible.

The following also do not count as qualified impressions:

  • Impressions from the same account counted more than once per post
  • Paid, promoted or artificially generated impressions
  • Fraudulent impressions

The old program required 5 million organic impressions in three months. However, the two figures are not directly comparable because the new program uses a different definition of qualifying impressions. A post can receive millions of total views without reaching 500,000 qualifying impressions.

What counts as a qualified impression on X?

A qualified impression is a unique impression from a Premium user on the Home Timeline, with at least 50% of the post visible.

Impressions from Premium Basic users can count toward another creator’s qualified-impression total, but Premium Basic does not qualify an account to apply for Original Content Rewards. Creators applying for the program need Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business.

In addition, the 500,000-impression requirement looks at the last 90 days.

Is X Premium required for monetization?

Creators need an eligible X Premium plan to apply for Original Content Rewards. The qualifying plans are Premium, Premium+ and Premium Business.

Premium Basic does not qualify an account to apply, although impressions from Premium Basic users can still count toward another creator’s qualified impressions.

In addition, receiving payouts requires payout setup. For non-U.S. creators, this means connecting a Stripe payout account and completing identity verification through Stripe.

How much does X Premium cost in Nigeria?

X’s published monthly web prices in Nigeria are:

  • Premium Basic: ₦1,368.75
  • Premium: ₦3,650
  • Premium+: ₦60,390

These are X’s published web prices. Prices may vary by location, applicable taxes and payment method fees.

Premium Basic is not enough to apply for Original Content Rewards. Creators need Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business.

How to apply for X monetization in Nigeria

Eligible accounts can check their status and apply through Creator Studio → Original Content Rewards.

Step 1: Log in to X.

Step 2: Navigate to Creator Studio and select Original Content Rewards.

Step 3: Check the eligibility status shown in Creator Studio.

Step 4: Set up the payout account. Non-U.S. creators need to connect a Stripe payout account and complete identity verification.

Step 5: Submit the application.

If X does not approve an application, the creator can appeal once. After an unsuccessful appeal, they can reapply after 42 days if they still meet the eligibility requirements.

How Nigerian creators receive X earnings

Non-U.S. creators receive payouts through Stripe. X processes payouts every two weeks, and the minimum payout is $30.

What is the minimum X payout?

The minimum payout is $30, and X processes payouts every two weeks.

How much do Nigerian creators get paid through X monetization?

X does not publish a fixed Nigerian payout rate or a fixed amount per 1,000 impressions. The company says Original Content Rewards pays creators based on qualified impressions generated by their original content, but it does not publish a fixed payout formula.

As a result, the number of qualifying impressions alone does not tell you exactly how much you will earn.

Which content qualifies for X Original Content Rewards?

X defines original content as material personally written, filmed, designed or produced by the creator that reflects their own voice, perspective or expertise. Reacting to, analyzing or building on current events can also qualify when the creator adds a genuine perspective.

X excludes content where the creator’s contribution is minimal or absent. Specifically, X does not consider these types of content original:

  • Copied content: Text, images or videos copied entirely from other creators or sources without an original contribution. This includes content downloaded from X or other platforms and reuploaded onto X.
  • Minimally modified content: Content reproduced from others with only slight changes, such as changing a word or two, adding a filter, adjusting video speed or adding a text overlay that does not meaningfully transform the original.
  • Aggregated content: Posts, videos or images that mainly compile or combine content from other creators or sources without adding substantial new perspective or framing.
  • Cross-platform reposts: Content taken from other platforms and reposted by someone other than the original creator.

X also says content can be ineligible if it is created or posted using automated means, contains disinformation or misleading content, has a helpful Community Note, or is exclusively focused on monetization coaching, monetization discussion or maximizing payouts.

Original content on X does not mean you own someone else’s work

X states that content can qualify as original under the program and still violate its intellectual property rules. Creators are responsible for having the necessary rights, permissions or licenses to use content created by others.

Adding commentary or analysis can qualify as original expression, but it does not automatically give a creator permission to use someone else’s copyrighted material.

Why a Nigerian creator might be rejected for X monetization

An application can be rejected because the account or content does not meet X’s requirements. X lists copied or minimally modified content, aggregated content, automated content, disinformation, misleading content and other policy violations among the reasons content can be ineligible.

Depending on the severity of a violation, X can temporarily or permanently remove accounts from the program.

Effective March 3, 2026, users who post AI-generated videos of an armed conflict without disclosing that the video was made with AI can be suspended from Original Content Rewards for 90 days. Subsequent violations can result in permanent suspension of further payments.

When can X remove monetization?

Approval does not exempt an account from X’s ongoing monetization rules. X periodically reviews accounts for ongoing compliance.

X can remove a creator from the program for violating its ongoing rules, including tampering with the program, payout system or recommendation algorithms; using automated tools or bots to artificially generate engagement; making false statements; producing abusive content; engaging in illegal activities; or repeatedly soliciting engagement.

Problems with Stripe setup or identity verification can also prevent a creator from receiving payouts.

X lists 500 verified followers and 500,000 Home Timeline impressions as application requirements. However, its continuous eligibility section does not say that creators must continue to maintain those two thresholds after approval.

What matters for X monetization?

X excludes reply impressions from the 500,000-impression eligibility requirement. Only qualifying Home Timeline impressions count toward that threshold.

Original content also matters. In particular, X excludes copied, minimally modified, aggregated and cross-platform reposted content, along with other content that does not meet its program standards.

X monetization as a creator income stream

X monetization in Nigeria is one potential income source for creators rather than a guaranteed replacement for other revenue. A 2026 African creator economy report cited by BusinessDay found that six in 10 African creators earn less than $100 per month across platforms, while 28.3% identified brand sponsorships as their primary revenue source.

That data covers the broader African creator economy, not X’s Original Content Rewards Program.

Common questions about X monetization in Nigeria

Can Nigerian creators monetize X?

Nigeria is a supported country for Original Content Rewards, and eligible Nigerian creators can receive payouts through a Stripe payout account.

Does X pay Nigerian creators?

Nigeria is supported by Original Content Rewards, and eligible creators can receive payouts through Stripe. X does not publish a fixed Nigeria-specific payout rate.

How many followers are needed to monetize X?

X requires at least 500 verified followers to apply for Original Content Rewards.

Do the 500 followers have to be verified?

Yes. X’s eligibility requirement is at least 500 verified followers. X does not define “verified followers” further on the program page.

How many impressions are needed to monetize X?

X requires 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the last 90 days. However, reply impressions do not count.

Do reply impressions count toward X monetization?

No. X excludes impressions on replies from the 500,000-impression eligibility requirement.

Is X Premium required to get paid?

Creators need an eligible paid plan to apply. Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business qualifies an account to apply for Original Content Rewards.

Does X Premium Basic qualify for monetization?

Premium Basic does not qualify an account to apply. However, impressions from Premium Basic users can still count toward another creator’s qualified impressions.

What is Original Content Rewards?

Original Content Rewards is X’s current creator monetization program. Eligible creators receive payouts based on qualified impressions generated by their original content.

What happened to X Creator Revenue Sharing?

X retired Creator Revenue Sharing on September 7, 2026. From September 8, existing Revenue Sharing participants began receiving access to apply for Original Content Rewards.

Nigerian creators can join X’s new monetization program if they meet all stated eligibility requirements.

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Last updated: September 13, 2026