How to Get a Job in Nigeria After Graduation [Guide 2024]

Nigeria is the largest country in terms of population in the Western African continent. It is also one of the countries where the unemployment rate is steadily rising. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria, the unemployment rate has reached 27.1%. Therefore, finding a job in Nigeria after graduation can take some time. This situation intimidates young graduates who are just starting their careers.

In this article, you will learn the best way to get your first job in Nigeria, what job application documents are needed, and the most demanded professions in 2024

Getting a job in Nigeria after university

In their last year of study, many university and college students begin to think about how to get a job in Nigeria without experience. With few available jobs, it is problematic for aspiring professionals to compete with experienced professionals. Besides a diploma, they have nothing to offer the employer. But is it really that bad? How can you increase your chances of being hired? Let’s start with the simplest ways.

1. School marks matter

Grades are not the most important thing in life. This is the most common myth around the world. The truth is that you cannot go to university without good grades. So, doing well in grade school is the best way to get into a university to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree. And without high marks at the university level, your chances of getting a good job are significantly reduced.

You may ask: “What about the success stories of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg? They dropped out and started their own business.” Yes, these stories are known worldwide, but in Nigeria, such a trick does not work. It is significant for employers that your grades are at least above average.

2. NYSC

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a program designed to involve Nigerian graduates in national development and the building of the country. You can consider this as an internship.

Throughout their time with the NYSC, students make new useful contacts, get acquainted with different cultures, broaden their horizons, and gain experience.

During your year of service, try to make new acquaintances as much as possible and stay in touch with them after the program ends. Your new colleagues could end up helping you with your job search, becoming an intermediary between you and the company.

During your time with the NYSC, you also have an amazing opportunity to receive certificates confirming your qualifications. For example, biomedical science graduates can be trained and certified in the HSE program. This will give you an edge over other job seekers.

3. Job application documents

Employment in Nigeria is impossible without a resume and an application letter. Many job seekers underestimate the importance of these two documents, so they rarely think about writing them correctly.

The resume includes information about your education, certificates, skills, work experience, desired position and salary, contact details. The size of a typical resume is two pages, no more. You can find a resume template on the Internet or use the format that a recruitment agency offers.

A cover letter complements the information on your resume, explains why you are applying for a particular company, including reasons you are the perfect candidate and how you can be useful to the firm. To write an application letter for a job in Nigeria, you could use a sample or an online editor. This will save you time as the cover letter should be written individually for each vacancy.

4. Go to a recruitment agency

A recruitment agency is a simple yet reliable way to find a job. Such agencies are intermediaries in the labor market. They help alumni looking for work and employers looking for personnel.

Most recruiting agencies enter applicants into databases and send a resume to the company for an interview based on your skills and preferences. After successfully passing the interview, you get the job.

5. Volunteer

Your experience level matters in Nigeria. But most of the graduates have no needed experience, which makes it challenging to find the desired job. While volunteering, you may not make any money, but you gain invaluable skills and abilities that employers value.

Find organizations or companies that are willing to accept volunteers. You can even do this during the NYSC program.

6. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional platform that allows job seekers to show their skills, experience, and academic history to potential employers. LinkedIn has a section where companies post jobs. You can apply for any vacancy you like there. In addition, companies may contact you for an interview based on your data.

7. Online Search

You can find anything on the Internet. Just enter the desired position in the search engine and specify the location. For example, you could enter: “job of a recruiting manager in Lagos.”

8. Ask your mentor for help

Talk to a career counselor or university mentor, you know. Perhaps they know companies that are actively recruiting employees in your specialty.

Most in-demand professions in Nigeria

Pastor

The pastor is one of the highest-paid jobs in Nigeria. That is why they occupy high positions in terms of wealth. So if your heart is open to God and you are ready to carry His word to the people, choose this profession.

Petroleum Engineering Jobs

Students often do their first internships in oil companies then stay there to work. On average, specialists receive 7 million NGN.

Surgeon

A surgeon is responsible for the lives of patients. They perform operations and provide care and treatment for patients after surgery. A surgeon’s profession is considered one of the most respected and highly paid due to its high level of responsibility.

Pilot

Working as a pilot is difficult, but salaries are high. Depending on the company and the type of activity, the pilot’s salary ranges from 7 to 11 million NGN.

Programmer

Nigeria is slowly paving the way for those who are good at programming. Since computer technologies now accompany us everywhere, programmers will always be in demand.

The salary of a programmer in Nigeria starts from NGN 600,000.

Musician

Musicians create music and entertain guests with their performances. The artist’s salary ranges from 600,000 to 2 million NGN.

Telecom engineer

Thanks to telecommunications engineers, Nigerians can make calls and browse the web. This job is perfect for those who are interested in mobile networks and general communications.

Aeronautical engineer

The main job of aeronautical engineers is the maintenance of aviation equipment. The safety of national, military, or commercial aircraft depends on the quality of their work. The life and safety of people on board the aircraft rely on them. The salaries of engineers can be as high as 11 million NGN.

Judge

As the overseer of the law, a judge is responsible for a person’s fate. Therefore, they receive quite a high salary. The salary of a judge ranges from 529,000 to 1,640,000 NGN.

Final Words

High unemployment does not mean that there are no jobs for graduates. But you should have a more strategic approach to your job search because the job market is competitive.

That’s the much we will take on the topic “How to Get a Job in Nigeria After Graduation [Guide 2023]”.

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