How To Become a Model in Nigeria

To become a model in Nigeria can be an exciting career path, whether you dream of walking the runway or appearing in magazines and TV ads. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start and succeed in the Nigerian modeling industry.

Part 1: Preparing Yourself for Modeling

Step 1: Understand the Different Types of Modeling.

Most people when they hear modeling jobs they think all about one thing.

That’s wrong.

There are different types of models in Nigeria. So, before you say I want to become a model in Nigeria, you have to know which type you are.

However, this are the modelling we have :

Fashion Modeling (Runway & Editorial)

Fashion modeling is the glamorous side we often see on TV.

Runway models walk catwalks during fashion weeks, wearing designers’ newest collections. Editorial models appear in high-fashion magazines like Vogue or Elle, often in striking, artistic photos.

This type of modeling is all about showcasing creativity and style. It usually demands a tall, slim body type with unique features.

Models work closely with designers, stylists, and photographers to bring clothes to life.^[1]

It’s competitive but exciting, taking you to fashion capitals around the world. If you love drama, art, and style, this could be your dream path!

Commercial Modeling

Commercial modeling is far more common than high fashion, and honestly, it’s where most models find steady work.

These models appear in ads for products we see every day—think billboards, magazines, and TV commercials for shampoo, cars, or tech. It also includes catalog work for brands like Jumia or Amazon. Commercial models aren’t tied to strict height or size requirements, making it more inclusive.

The goal is to appeal to everyday people, so brands want models who look friendly, relatable, and real. It’s a fantastic way to earn while helping sell products people actually use.

Lifestyle Modeling

Lifestyle modeling is all about capturing real-life moments. You’ll see these photos in ads showing families having picnics, friends laughing over coffee, or someone relaxing at home.

Brands love this because it tells a warm, human story that customers connect with. Lifestyle shoots are usually casual and fun—less posing stiffly, more natural smiles and genuine interactions. It’s great for people of all ages, sizes, and looks, from kids to grandparents.

If you enjoy being part of cheerful, relatable scenes that make people think, “That could be me!” then lifestyle modeling might be perfect for you.

Fitness, Plus-Size & Specialty Modeling

This category celebrates unique strengths. Fitness models show off toned bodies and active lifestyles, often for workout brands or gyms. Plus-size modeling embraces gorgeous curves, promoting body positivity and inclusivity in fashion—there’s huge demand for fuller-figure models.

There are also niche gigs like hand, foot, or hair modeling, where brands need flawless close-ups for rings, nail polish, shoes, or shampoo ads. This type of modeling proves you don’t need to look like a runway model to get work.

If you have a fit body, radiant skin, beautiful hands, or a killer smile, there’s a spot for you!

Scan through all of the matches for the one that suits you. Then settle for it.tep 2: Know the Requirements.

Every modern category has what they expect from people that are interested in becoming one. If you don’t meet the requirement they are not going to accept you to their program.

However, the requirements for each modeling category

Fashion Modeling (Runway & Editorial)

Height: Usually 5’9”–6’0” for women, 5’11”–6’3” for men.

Measurements: Often around 34-24-34 for women. Men need a lean, toned physique.

Look: Unique, striking features stand out — edgy bone structure, intense eyes, long legs.

Age: Most start teens to early 20s.

Fashion modeling is strict on size, but it’s also about having a memorable, artistic look^[2].

Commercial Modeling

Height & size: Much more flexible. You can be petite, tall, curvy, slim, or average.

Look: Friendly, approachable, relatable. Big smiles and good energy matter.

Age: All ages needed, from kids to seniors.

Brands want real people that buyers trust and connect with. If you have a great smile and personality, you’re already ahead!

Lifestyle Modeling

Height & size: No strict rules. Anyone who looks like a “real person.”

Look: Warm, natural, genuine expressions. Think cozy family scenes or happy friends.

Age: Babies, teens, parents, even grandparents — all needed.

It’s all about capturing authentic moments that tell a story.

Fitness, Plus-Size & Specialty Modeling

Fitness: Toned, athletic body, often with muscle definition.

Plus-size: Gorgeous curves, confident posture, sizes typically 12+ (US) / 16+ (UK).

Your requirements here are very specific to the part being featured. It’s perfect if you have standout features!

Step 3: Stay Healthy and Take Care of Your Appearance.

Unfortunately, those who hire models in Nigeria don’t accept those who are sick, don’t have good body structure, and appearance.

To get accepted.

You have to be elegant (handsome and beautiful) not goodness but at least presentable.

Don’t be down, if you think you’re not handsome and beautiful enough. You can achieve them with just little trick.

And how to achieve that doesn’t take much time but needs consistency. Okay, this how to achieve it.

• You need to eat food that are nutritious every time, not your garri and suger kind of thing.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Take your time to exercise regularly to remove excess fat and have good body structure.
• Take care of your body parts such as your fingernails, your skin nails, and any part of the body that are important to you.
• And finally avoid doing things that will cause you stress. Stress ruin body ‘s appearance.

If you have not be doing all this (some of you might not be doing it.) you should start now to achieve your dream to be a model.

Part 2: Building Your Portfolio and Brand

Step 4: Take Professional Photos

Photo is very important aspect in modelling.

It’s what you will use to showcase yourselves to the world and to your helper to prove you’re a model.

To take a professional photo, you need to hire a very good photographer to get the job done.

The camera has to be good and the photographer most knows how to take angles when you’re taking a pose.

When making a pose, act very confident because this modeling agency is going to watch how you showcase yourself in the picture.

If you impress them they will be interested to take you.

Which kind of photo to shoot.

• Do headshot
• Profile shot
• Full body shot (your front and also side.)
• Action or movement shoot.
• Editorial or style shot

Which cloth to wear to take a picture.

Put on Simple clothes that are not complicated like black and white clothes.

Don’t edit the photo that you take, the modelling agency or client is only looking for plain photos, not what you photoshoot.

If you have done all the above you can meet the agency to submit your portfolio.

Step 5: Create a Modeling Portfolio.

Next action to take is to have a modeling portfolio.

What is a modeling portfolio? Why is it important for you ?

A modeling portfolio is like a CV (course of life) that you will take to a model agency to review.

To create a modeling portfolio.

1. Start with simple, natural photos

Although, you need to take good photos to stand out.

It’s not a most to put on makeup or wear designers cloth to look expensive (richest kids).

You just need to put on clean jeans that look good on you, and well treated plain hair. Let the photo show your face clearly and part of your figure well.

• A headshot (smiling + serious )
• A full body shot
• A profile (side) shot

2. Work with a beginner-friendly photographer

To get good results, find photographer that at least  know what he/she is doing, that do test shoots or portfolio building.

If you want to choose find the one that his style is naturally unique not something too edited.

3. Show your range

If you want to model lifestyle, do a playful coffee shop shot. For fashion, do some stronger, editorial poses. Fitness? Show yourself in sporty clothes. A mix tells agencies “Look what I can do!^[3]

4. Create a simple online version

Use Canva or a free website builder to make a pretty digital portfolio. Also keep high-quality JPEGs on your phone so you can send them easily to scouts or clients.

5. Keep updating it

As you get more shoots or paid gigs, swap out older photos. Always keep your best, most current look front and center.

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Biggest tip?

Stay true to YOU. Agencies love confidence, clear skin, bright eyes, and personality shining through. Your portfolio should feel like your story, not just pretty pictures.

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Step 6: Build a Social Media Presence.

As someone who want to become a model in Nigeria, you need to have social media accounts.

Create a social media account different from your personal life account because this is where you are going to upload every work that you do.

If you don’t have any of them now for modelling.

Create time to open Facebook, Instagram , Twitter and tiktok. The good News is that they are all free to use.

After successfully create account, upload the same photo profile picture in all your model social media account.

Then start posting your work ( pictures) to have fans and attract audience

If you want to make your video reach more audience use model hashtag for example, (#NigerianModel, #LagosModel, etc.)

And also, if you want a lot of people to quickly see your video run social media ads, although this ads will cost you  money depending on the number of people you want to target.

Tag modeling pages or brands

Guess what ?

Most successful model in Nigeria tag big brands and modeling page in their earlier days, and at the end of the day things turn around for them.

This big brands and modeling page invites them.

Then boom… they become a star.

Don’t sleep while standing. You should also target big brands and modeling pages to get notice.

Part 3: Getting Into the Industry

Step 7: Research Modeling Agencies in Nigeria

You need to find a modeling agency around to help you because you know you really need them.

Look for trusted agencies like:

Few Models

• Beth Model Management
• Isis Models Afri
• Zohar Model Management^[4]

If any agency is asking you to pay a big amount of money, avoid such agents for now. Find the one that will collect at an affordable price. Don’t be move, no matter how you’re desperate to become a model in Nigeria.

Step 8: Attend Open Calls and Auditions

If you are dreaming to become a model in Nigeria, you have to take the right action to become one. If you’re not, you are just wasting your time.

Always try to go auditions happening in Lagos or any part of Nigeria and always take along your portfolio with you in case anyone asks for it.

You can find auditions on Instagram or flyers.

In the beginning, when you go to audition, you’ll be very shy because a lot of people are there. Learn to be confident as time goes you will be used to it.

Step 9: Be Professional and Keep Learning

If you’re asked to come to any event and try to be around on time, clients will watch closely if you make work easier for them, they will consider you serious and interested in helping you.

And also respect anybody you see whiter small or big if you want to find yourselves in big places.

Then keep watching models’ videos and how your favourite model is making poses to gain more knowledge on how to do those things.

More importantly, take care of your skin and eat healthy food in Nigeria.

Part 4: Staying Safe and Growing Your Career

Step 10: Beware of Scams

The truth is, modelling careers are a lot of scammers claiming they are professionals.

To avoid being the victims, you have to be very careful if you don’t want to dash your money to someone who won’t help you at the end of the day.

If a photographer takes your picture without your notice, don’t pay them because you never ask them.

Most of this photography to make money from people ( they call it strategy)

And also, if you come across a sweet mouth agent that promises that if you work with them they’re going to make you very famous like big Nigeria models ( star models in Nigeria) and the rest of them.

be careful of these kinds of agents because most of them are scammers, they are there to collect all your money.

If you are going to any modeling event or whatever place you should carry your trust friends along for security purposes.

Step 11: Keep Networking.

Try to know a lot of people in this modelling business .

People like photographer

•  Designer
• Makeup artist
• …and fellow models

Through them you can get connections from there.

If any upcoming fashion brand comes up, volunteer that you want to join, through that form a big brand will know you, and can decide to choose you.

Fashion shows and industry events always happen every time, put your ear aside to find out if anyone is available and try to attend these shows.

It’s a way to meet your fellow birds with the same feather and more importantly connection that will change your life. Don’t stay at home sleeping like a child expecting food from mommy and daddy.

Step 12: Stay Consistent and Don’t Give Up

To be honest, a model career is not easy, you’re going to encounter a lot of challenges that will discourage you.

Most of your favourite models encounter challenges in their own time too.

But despite this don’t give up, at the end things will turn good for you.

Tips

Be unique—your look could be your strongest selling point

Learn basic runway walking and posing from YouTube or online classes

Practice in front of a mirror regularly

Warnings

Never send private or nude photos to “agents”

Avoid modeling jobs that feel uncomfortable or unsafe

Always read contracts carefully before signing anything

 

 

[ ARTICLE REFERENCE ]

1. https://www.starnow.com/uk/magazine/article/types-of-models-77094/[↩]
2. https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/model-measurements-75473/[↩]
3. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/types-of-photography/[↩]
4. https://www.elitestudio.ng/model-agency-lagos-nigeria/[↩]