How to write a CV for jobs in Nigeria

The Nigerian CV at a glance

• It’s called a CV; two pages is the usual length.
• A short professional profile at the top, not a generic “objective”.
• Experience in reverse-chronological order, including internships (SIWES/IT) and NYSC.
• Education with your degree, class (for example, Second Class Upper) and institution. Early in your career, add your WAEC or NECO results if the role asks for them.
• Contact details: name, phone number, email, city and state, and LinkedIn if you have one.

NYSC

Many employers want to see that you’ve completed or been exempted from NYSC. State your status clearly, and list your place of primary assignment like a job: the organisation, your role, the dates and what you achieved.

What to leave out

Older Nigerian CV templates include a long “personal data” section. Most employers no longer need it. Leave these off unless the advert asks:

• Your NIN, and never your BVN.
• State of origin, local government area, religion and marital status.
• Date of birth. If an advert sets an age limit, give your age only if asked.
• A photo.
• Hobbies such as “reading and travelling” that say nothing about the job.

Referees

Listing two or three referees, with their title, organisation, phone number and email, is common. Choose people who know your work, such as your NYSC supervisor or a manager, and ask them first.

Tailor it to each job

• Search Jobberman, MyJobMag and LinkedIn, and companies’ careers portals for graduate programmes.
• State your degree class as written in the advert, for example “Second Class Upper (2:1)”, if it’s a requirement.
• Expect aptitude tests after the CV sift for graduate schemes, and prepare for them early.
• Open with the experience that best matches this role.

Cover letter

Many adverts ask for a cover letter or application letter. Keep it to one page, name the role and where you saw it, and back up two of your strongest points with results.

Common mistakes

• Sending the same CV to every company.
• Long personal data sections at the top.
• Unprofessional email addresses. Use your name.
• Missing the application deadline or required documents.

Sample CV

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• NYSC listed like a job, with results, and the status stated clearly.
• Degree class written the way adverts ask for it.
• No NIN, BVN, state of origin, religion, marital status or photo.
• Two referees who know the work, asked before they’re listed.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Graduate, customer service

NYSC written as real work, with volume and a result.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

Two pages at most. Put NYSC and SIWES or IT placements first as experience, then your degree class and, if the advert asks, WAEC or NECO results.

Changing careers

Open with a profile naming the new field, then transferable results and any certifications that support the move, such as ICAN, CIPM or a data course.

Experienced

Two pages, results first. Summarise early roles and drop secondary-school results.

CV keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

Graduate trainee (banking)

financial analysis, Excel, credit analysis, customer service, reporting

Sales representative (FMCG)

distribution, route-to-market, sales targets, trade marketing, key accounts

Software developer

JavaScript, React, Node.js, REST APIs, Git, PostgreSQL

Questions