Let’s be honest. In Nigeria, most people still use remote work and work from home like they mean the same thing. They don’t. And if you’ve ever taken a so-called “remote” job that suddenly expected you to be in-office every Tuesday, you already know the wahala that comes with that confusion.
So what’s the real difference? And why does it matter in 2025? Let’s break it down in plain English.
Work From Home is a location
Remote Work is a system. When a company says you can “work from home,” it usually means you don’t have to come into the office today. It could be one day a week. It could be temporary. It’s often tied to flexibility or emergencies (remember COVID?).
Remote work, on the other hand, is not just about working from your house. It means you’re not tied to any office at all. You could be working from your home in Osogbo, a café in Enugu, a co-working space in Ibadan, or even while travelling abroad. It’s a long-term setup — not just a nice option for Fridays.
Why You Should Care
You need to know this difference before signing your next job contract, especially if:
- You’re a freelancer or gig worker looking for global clients
- You’re applying for international remote jobs via Upwork, RemoteOK, or LinkedIn
- You want a career with more flexibility and less “Oga is calling you to show face in the office” stress
So many people think they’ve landed a remote job, only to discover that HR expects them to show up at HQ every week. That’s not remote work. That’s hybrid at best, and misleading at worst.
Key Differences You Should Know
| Work From Home (WFH) | Remote Work | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mostly at home, sometimes office | Anywhere with internet |
| Permanence | Often temporary or part-time | Fully integrated long-term system |
| Policy Type | Usually a perk | Part of the company’s structure |
| Tools Needed | Basic laptop and internet | Cloud tools, async workflow setup, VPNs |
| Company Mindset | “Let’s try it for now” | “This is how we work” |
Signs You’re in a WFH Setup (Not Remote)
- Your boss still sends “Can you come in tomorrow?” texts
- Your team only works from home when there’s fuel scarcity
- You’re not provided proper remote tools or allowances
- You feel guilty or unproductive because expectations aren’t clear
If this sounds familiar, it’s WFH — not remote work. And that’s fine! But you need to label it correctly and set your boundaries accordingly.
Final Word: Ask the Right Questions
When interviewing or negotiating a role that sounds flexible, don’t just assume it’s remote. Ask:
- Is this fully remote or just WFH-friendly?
- Am I required to be in any office at any time?
- What tools or support will I receive for working remotely?
- Are working hours fixed or asynchronous?
Clarity is peace of mind. In 2025, job flexibility is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. But if we’re going to thrive in this new normal, we have to name things correctly. So the next time someone says “I work remotely,” smile and ask: “Like full-time remote or just work-from-home sometimes?” That small question could save you stress, fuel money, and disappointment.
