How to Chase Unpaid Invoices in Nigeria Without Losing the Client
A practical follow-up routine for overdue invoices, with what to say at each stage, so you get paid faster and keep the relationship.
Late payment is one of the most common cash flow problems for Nigerian businesses, from traders to manufacturers selling on 60-day corporate terms. The work is done, the invoice is sent, and the money arrives 60 or 90 days later, if it arrives at all. Meanwhile you are paying salaries and suppliers from your own pocket.
Most late payers are not refusing to pay. Your invoice is one of many, and the ones that get paid are the ones that are easy to pay and politely hard to forget.
Before the invoice goes out
- Agree payment terms in writing before you start: when payment is due, and any deposit.
- For new clients or big jobs, take a deposit or bill in stages.
- Find out who approves payment on the client side and what they need on the invoice, such as a purchase order number.
- Invoice the day the work is delivered, not at the end of the month.
A follow-up routine that works
- A few days before the due date: a friendly note that the invoice is coming due, with the payment link.
- On the due date: a short reminder with the invoice attached.
- One week overdue: a direct message to your contact asking whether anything is holding payment up.
- Two to three weeks overdue: a call to the person who approves payments, and a proposed payment date.
- Thirty days or more: a written notice that further work is paused until the account is settled, and a formal demand if needed.
Keep every message polite and factual: the invoice number, amount, due date and how to pay. Anger makes the relationship worse and rarely makes payment faster.
Make paying the easy option
Put a payment link or account number on every invoice and every reminder. If a client has to search old emails for your bank details, payment waits. Accept part payments on large invoices and record them, so everyone can see the balance.
How Billif helps
Billif invoicing sends invoices with an online pay-link, tracks which are overdue, and chases them with automatic reminders so nobody has to remember. Payments made through Billif collections are matched to the invoice as they land, and part payments are tracked against the balance.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I remind a client to pay an invoice politely?
- Keep it short and factual: the invoice number, amount, due date and a payment link. Send the first reminder before the due date, not after.
- When should I stop working for a client who has not paid?
- Agree it in your terms up front. Many businesses pause further work once an invoice is 30 days overdue.
- Can reminders be automated?
- Yes. Invoicing software like Billif sends reminders automatically for overdue invoices.
See how Billif handles invoicing
Branded invoices, recurring billing, credit notes and POs.