Nigerian content creators celebrated big wins from X’s Creator Revenue Sharing Program last weekend. The platform doubled its payout pool in January 2026, and creators across the country are sharing proof of earnings that reach thousands of dollars.
What Changed in January 2026
X announced major updates to its Creator Revenue Sharing Program on January 16, 2026. The company declared 2026 “the year of the creator” and made significant changes to how it calculates payouts.
X doubled the revenue pool available to creators. This means more money gets distributed to eligible creators every two weeks. The platform closed 2025 with its highest payouts since the program launched, and January 2026 payouts proved even stronger.
The second major change affects how earnings are calculated. X now bases payouts on “Verified Home Timeline” impressions instead of total engagement. This means your content needs to appear on the main feed of verified users (X Premium subscribers) to earn money. Impressions from premium subscribers carry more weight in the calculation.
Nigerian Creators Lead in Africa
Nigerian creators dominate the African creator space on X. Lobistars John, known as @john322226 on X, earned $2,970.56 (approximately ₦4.45 million) from 114.2 million impressions in just two weeks. DAMI FOREIGN, another Nigerian creator, pulled in $5,464.86 for the January 17-31 period. These numbers show the real income potential for consistent creators on the platform.
Other Nigerian creators posted their earnings, too. Ernest Opoku Appah earned $2,480.45. Beno SarkCess received $5,464.86 for the same period as DAMI FOREIGN. One creator who goes by “Bold” earned more from X in recent months than from 18 months of teaching.
These creators credit consistent posting and engagement with their success. Lobistars John actively responds to comments and quotes tweets to boost engagement. This strategy helps his posts reach more verified users on their home timelines.
What Creators Say About the Changes
Nigerian creators express excitement about the program overhaul. Many posted screenshots of their earnings with messages thanking Elon Musk and the X team.
DAMI FOREIGN tweeted “Wtf! Thank you Elon Musk!” after receiving the $5,464.86 payout. Nikita, another creator, posted “X Is Huge!! The platform is here to make everyone’s lives better.” These reactions show the impact of the increased payouts.
Some creators call X a full-time job opportunity. One creator noted that “X has now paid me more than my first 18 months teaching.” This statement shows how the platform creates real income for dedicated users in Nigeria.
Lobistars John said he even had to stop people from subscribing to his account because he makes more money from impressions than from paid subscriptions. This reveals how the ad revenue sharing model can outperform direct monetization for popular accounts.
How the New System Rewards Quality
The shift to verified home timeline impressions changes the game. Before this update, creators earned from all impressions, including those from reply threads and secondary interactions. Now, X focuses on impressions that verified users see while scrolling their main feed.
This update intends to reduce low-effort content. X wants to reward creators who post quality content that resonates with premium subscribers. The platform confirmed that Premium+ subscribers (the highest tier) generate the most value per impression for creators.
Many creators report earning 2x more after the January update. Some who previously made under $1,000 now earn over $3,000 for the same engagement levels. The doubled revenue pool, combined with the new calculation method, creates better opportunities for consistent creators.
The Focus on Premium Subscribers
The new system puts premium subscribers at the center. X wants to grow its Premium user base, and this update gives premium subscribers more influence. Their views and engagement now directly impact creator earnings more than ever.
This creates an incentive for creators to produce content that resonates with premium users. These subscribers typically engage with more thoughtful, informative, or entertaining content. Low-effort reply farming and engagement bait become less effective under the new model.
X also announced a $1 million contest for the top article during the next payout period. This prize intends to encourage long-form content creation on the platform. Creators can now earn from both regular posts and long articles.
Requirements to Join the Program
To qualify for X Creator Revenue Sharing, you need to meet specific requirements. First, you must subscribe to X Premium ($8 per month) or X Verified Organizations ($200 per month). You cannot earn without a paid subscription.
Second, your account must generate at least 5 million impressions over the past three months. Third, you need at least 500 verified followers. These followers must also have X Premium subscriptions.
X processes payouts every two weeks through Stripe. The minimum payout amount is $30. Once you earn this amount, X deposits the money directly to your connected payment account.
The platform pays up to 97% of the revenue it earns from your content, minus in-app purchase fees. This percentage stays in place until you reach $50,000 in lifetime earnings across all X monetization products.
Growing Creator Economy in Nigeria
Nigeria has a thriving social media creator scene. The success of creators like Lobistars John, DAMI FOREIGN, and others proves that Nigerians can compete globally on X.
The country has strong internet penetration and a young, engaged population. Many Nigerians use X daily for news, entertainment, and social connections. This active user base creates opportunities for creators to build large followings.
The Creator Revenue Sharing Program provides a legitimate income stream for content creators. Unlike informal monetization methods, X pays directly through Stripe with transparent earnings dashboards. Creators can track their impressions and projected earnings in real-time.
X processes payouts twice monthly on a set schedule. For 2026, payout dates include January 2, 16, and 30; February 13 and 27; and similar bi-weekly schedules throughout the year. This consistency helps creators plan their finances.
Tips for Success on X
Successful Nigerian creators share common strategies. Consistency ranks as the most important factor. Posting regularly keeps your account visible in follower timelines. Most top earners post multiple times daily.
Engagement matters too. Responding to comments, quoting other tweets, and participating in conversations boost your visibility. X’s algorithm favours accounts that generate discussions.
Content quality makes a difference under the new system. Posts that premium users find valuable enough to read, like, or share earn more. Focus on topics that interest educated, professional audiences, since these users are more likely subscribe to X Premium.
Building verified followers takes time. Encourage followers to subscribe to X Premium. More verified followers mean more potential impressions on verified home timelines. Some creators run campaigns to help their followers understand the benefits of Premium subscriptions.
Tracking your analytics helps optimise your strategy. X provides detailed dashboards showing which posts perform best. Pay attention to the time of day, content type, and topics that generate the most verified impressions.
Zoom Out…
X positions itself as a platform where creators can earn significant income. The January 2026 updates show the company’s commitment to growing its creator economy. Nigerian creators are well-positioned to benefit from these changes.
Nigerian creators are proving that social media content creation can provide real income. The success stories from January 2026 inspire more people to build their presence on X. This trend strengthens Nigeria’s position in the global creator economy.
