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Terms and Condition

Welcome to Skills Near, accessible at https://skillsnear.org (the “Website” or “Platform”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our freelance marketplace services, connecting employers with skilled freelancers. By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please refrain from using our services.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By registering, posting projects, submitting tasks, or making payments, you accept these Terms and our Privacy Policy. Skills Near reserves the right to update these Terms at any time, with changes effective upon posting. Continued use constitutes acceptance of revised Terms.

2. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old or have parental consent to use the Platform.
  • You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration.
  • Businesses or individuals in Nigeria or abroad may use the Platform, subject to local laws.

3. Account Responsibilities

  • You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
  • You agree not to share your account or allow unauthorized use.
  • Notify us immediately at support@skillsnear.org if you suspect unauthorized access.

4. Services

  • Freelancers: You may post tasks showcasing your skills. Approval by Skills Near is required before tasks go live.
  • Employers: You may post projects and hire freelancers. All projects are subject to review and approval.
  • Skills Near acts as a facilitator, not an employer or guarantor of service quality.

5. Payments and Fees

  • Transactions are processed via Paystack, with all payments in NGN unless otherwise agreed.
  • Skills Near charges a 10-15% commission on each transaction, deducted from freelancer earnings.
  • Funds are held in escrow until project milestones or tasks are completed and approved.
  • Refunds or disputes are handled per Section 9.

6. Intellectual Property

  • Freelancers retain ownership of their work until payment is released to them by the employer.
  • Employers gain full rights to deliverables upon successful payment.
  • Unauthorized use of Platform content (e.g., logos, text) is prohibited without written consent.

7. User Conduct

  • You agree not to post illegal, offensive, or fraudulent content.
  • Harassment, spam, or misrepresentation is prohibited.
  • Skills Near may remove content or suspend accounts violating these Terms.

8. Limitation of Liability

  • Skills Near is not liable for indirect damages (e.g., lost profits) arising from Platform use.
  • Our liability is limited to the amount you paid us in the last 12 months.
  • We do not guarantee uninterrupted service due to technical issues or third-party actions.

9. Disputes and Refunds

  • Dispute Resolution: Disputes between users are resolved through our dispute resolution process, initiated via the Platform. Both parties must provide evidence (e.g., work progress, communication logs) within 7 days. Skills Near will mediate and issue a binding decision.
  • Refund Policy:
    • Before Work Starts: If a buyer cancels within 48 hours of payment and no work has begun, a full refund is issued (minus a 5% processing fee).
    • After Work Starts: If a buyer cancels after the freelancer begins work, a partial refund is issued based on progress. Freelancers must submit evidence (e.g., drafts, time logs) to claim payment for completed work. Refunds are calculated as follows:
      • 0-25% completion: 75% refund to buyer.
      • 26-50% completion: 50% refund to buyer.
      • 51-75% completion: 25% refund to buyer.
      • 76-100% completion: No refund.
    • Post-Completion: No refunds are issued after a milestone or task is approved by the buyer.
    • All refund requests must be submitted within 14 days of cancellation and are subject to review by Skills Near.
  • Chargebacks: Unauthorized chargebacks may result in account suspension.
  • Nigerian law governs all disputes, with jurisdiction in Lagos courts.

10. Termination

  • Skills Near may terminate or suspend your account for breach of these Terms, with notice where possible.
  • You may deactivate your account anytime via the settings page.
  • Termination does not relieve you of payment obligations.

11. Data Privacy

  • Your data is handled per our Privacy Policy, complying with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
  • We collect usage data to improve services but do not sell personal information.

12. Governing Law

  • These Terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
  • Any legal action must be brought in Abuja, Nigeria.

13. Contact Us

For questions, contact us at:

14. Miscellaneous

  • These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Skills Near.
  • If any provision is invalid, the remaining terms remain enforceable.
  • No waiver of any right is effective unless in writing.

Last Updated: September 21, 2025