CareersNG

I have spoken to quit a lot of people with regards to moving back to Nigeria and the unanimous answer has been NO from everyone that I have spoken to. On the flip side, I know that I am not happy here in the United States because I may have been born here but this is not my ancestor's home (Been here for the past 16 years). Home to me is Nigeria and I just know that I will not be happy until I try to get my piece of the pie from Nigeria. I guess after all my ranting and raving, my main point is, how does one break into the job scene in Nigeria?

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Be careful whose toes you step on today because they may be connected to the derriere you have to kiss tomorrow.

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

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Be careful whose toes you step on today because they may be connected to the derriere you have to kiss tomorrow.

_________________
Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

_________________
Be careful whose toes you step on today because they may be connected to the derriere you have to kiss tomorrow.

_________________
Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

I for talk say "no just try am" but as u don dey come so, then no kwata .

Ok,
Concerning jobs:
I suppose you consider the following:
How you'll work in Nigeria: If you'll work as a Nigerian citizen, you need NYSC. Too many people as for it. They don't even care if u're over 30; they'll register you and then exempt. BUT they'll register you first. Just like everything else in Nigeria: this also can be RUNS-ed
Whereas if u want to work as an american, you'll need to have a good amount of work experience or a higher degree than the average people u'll work with: In short you need to be better than the people on ground. This is becos, u'll be paid more (i.e. as an american )and you'll need to justify ur salary. I know at least one nigerian that is waiting for Us citizenship just for that.

Job Hunting:
Many Nigerian firms: mainly banks and oil companies also employ from abroad (More in UK than US). Others may only employ high profile people i.e. you're seen as a top shot for the company you're coming to work with. Those who employ abroad usually intend to pay more and that's the summary. The next best is to get recruited by a company there that will post you to nigeria. In other words, apply to companies that have Nigerian branches. companies in Consulting, manufacturing, operations etc are good for this since they usually post their staff.
As usual, all these will be determined by your intending field- whether in ur Degree or not.

Nigerian Education
I only trust Nigerian education up to S.S.1 I think by high school, the US start overtacking us. Until then, Nigerians generally learn a lot and at least know that Africa is not a country and Iraq exists.

About Nigeria in general
1. Nigeria is not very stable. This will mean many different things to u when u get here. (to me, this is an important factor)
2. Poor infrastructure will probably make you think more about things you earlier took for granted.
3. If you make good money as expected (since you have a foreign degree), you'll live like a Queen and would definitely see Nigeria differently. (This will make up for #2 and partially make up for #1)
4. People This is an overlooked issue that has both +ve and -ve values. I can't thoroughly explain here.
5. Work ethic and services. Many Nigerians don't have a good work ethic so coming from the US, u'll be able to take advantage of that and this will translate to different opportunities depending on where you work and where u invest.

nuf said.. all d best

@ Bns- I thank you a lot for your response.

I was thinking of working as a Nigerian citizen but most people have told me to shy away from that school of thought. They want me to come in as an expat. I also heard about the whole NYSC and I don't mind registering only to be exempted. As per the higher degree, I will be graduating from my Masters program next year and I am seriously considering doing a PhD in Education. I can definitely justify my salary if the need arises.

With regards to the job hunting I have pretty much gotten the 411 on the whole being employed abroad scene but the actual applying for the jobs is where I have hit a snag.

I totally concur with you on the education part. Recently, a friend of mine that I went to secondary school with and I were talking about education in Nigeria versus America. She said that Education in Nigeria is good until you have to enter a uni and that the education in both countries pretty much meet at the crossroads then. Since I have been privy to both educational systems, this is my take. In Nigeria, we are not taxed with thinking outside of the box. We are required to cram a whole book and spew it out onto a paper during exam time. America on the other hand shies away from that. They want you to think outside of the box and want you to use examples (both real life and made up experiences) to explain how you arrived at an answer. An American professor will actually fail you if you spit back everything you read in Stone and Cozen, Ababio or Modern Biology. Funny you metioned the whole Africa thingy. I have a friend who got pregnant for some African-American dude. She said the guy had a serious arguement with her when they brought up the topic of Africa. She says Africa is a continent (right!) he says, Africa is a country (wrong!). I also recall going to a government office one and all I had for identification was my passport. The security guy asked me what it was and I said, "a passport". He says, "what is it used for." and I said, "to travel." Then he said, "I have never had one and I have never been on a plane." Do you know an average American has never been on a plane. When you start talking about everywhere you have travelled to, they look at you in awe.

I pretty much get the whole Nigerian concept. I was there 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. I can deal with NEPA or whatever they call themselves know. I can deal with the pot holes and going clubbing and not being able to come home until the next morning for fear of being robbed. I am a tough gal, I can surely deal with it.

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Be careful whose toes you step on today because they may be connected to the derriere you have to kiss tomorrow.

"Be careful whose toes you step on today because they may be connected to the derriere you have to kiss tomorrow."

That was a bright one. Well Ellediva, I'm impressed at your desire to come to Nigeria and looking for the right information on going about it for that matter. I'm based in Nigeria but have been priviledged to travel out of the country. I have come to realise that very few places on earth compares to 9ja (as Bns will write it). Resources are in abundance, goverment regulations is lax, you can get a lot of things done- depending on how strong your conscience is, as a matter of fact. Coupled with all these, the reforms program of this present Obasanjo administration is really turning things around positively. Though the fruits are not evenly spread now, but if it continues, it will definitely get to the grassroot.
Now to the issue in contention, I will be very down to earth with you, the medical sciences is not a very big seller in Nigeria presently. There are many doctors in KPMG, BANKS, and ICT firms today. This is simply because they are not as well renumerated as they used to before the advent of GSM and the opening up of the economy. So a degree in psychology or a masters in health ...... does not literally translate into a good (high paying) job in 9ja. unless you're able to get employed in multinationals and international NGOs like UNICEF, WHO, etc.
However, an edge i see that you might possess is in entrepreneur. Your exposure might be a plus for you if you are entrepreneully inclined. Depending on your likes and dislikes, i will recommend you take a qualitative training in IT (hardware or software), SAP, project management, and consultancy. These skills coupled with your foreign degree and higher degree will make you a hot cake for multinationals like KPMG, Authur Anderson, etc; also the oil and gas industry will be attracted to you. Aside these ones, some specialised goverment agencies like NITDA, etc might take you in as a consultant.

So much to say, but in summary, i'll like to say that in Nigeria you can be what you want to be; reach for the highest height; and give an intelligent future for your kid (If your kid can live in 9ja without losing his head, then he can live anywhere on planet earth).

Kind regards.

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A doubtful man is unstable in all his ways!

Hi all,
Ellediva, I am with u on this Nijar runs. Me sef I reside in the U.S but like u I need a break from the madness. So I have been thinking of coming home too. Again like u, everyone is like NO way. (I wonder y). I come home every yr so I dunno what the big deal is. Life will just not be as comfy as here cos of all the Nepa and stuff, big deal! we can deal with that.

So yeah I have been looking for jobs and all. In my own case my degree is in Computer Information systems (Although I have no desire to do any kind of programming what so ever)and I have also been working as a Business Analyst for the past 2yrs. Does anyone have any suggestions or contacts?Where do I even begin?
I have contacted some pple in some companies but they r all like I have to come home 1st b4 they can do an interview and all is that how it works?What of all these tests I am hearing about? Will I have to do that too?even with 2yrs of work experience?

Also there is also the issue of NYSC. I heard u cant get a job without that. but is the process different for foreign students?Me in particular, I am all down for NYSC. I think it will be fun as long as I am in Lagos.. I know everything is all about who u know and all that so any suggestions?
Thanks!

Hey teetee, its great to have your input on this topic.
You guys have a great plan to come to Nigeria. If we look beyond the temporary chellenges we have in the Nigerian environment we would see that its very possible to come back home and settle down.
I think your field of study(Computer Infomation systems) would give you a lot of chances here in Nigeria.
If you package your CV very well, you can send it to some targeted companies and indicate your interest to work for them. Professional certifications would also help to understand your skills and what you can do. Depending on the company you apply. If na those big oil companies, you might still ve to do the tests stuff but if you apply to IT/Telecoms companies, an interview might surfice.

I wish you the best.........

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

ON NYSC

Nysc registration for foreign graduate is about a 3 week span 2 weeks b4 camp. In other words, the camp starts 5th Sept 2006, Foreign grads must register btw 8th Aug and 21st Aug 2006 & pick up their call up on Aug 28th (i.e. 28th is d week b4 camp). Do the math for the next camp which is in March or so (i.e. register in Feb)

All foreign grads are allowed to choose where they would serve. (u're allowed a 1st & 2nd choice). Although they don't give guarantees, they usually post you to your place of choice. Also, they will send you to good companies based in your state of choice. You can also serve with a company u previously applied to e.g. my brother's friend is serving in shell after being recruited from the UK.

The only "un-runs-able" part of the NYSC is the registration. THEY MUST SEE U in Abuja, ur cert, ur transcript, ur passport; ur SSCE; everything! (NOTE: registration is diff from orientation/camp. This is just to show up and put ur name in their database)

2. ON jobs
First resource is usually internet. And best advice will be to apply directly to companies becos they can accomodate non-nysc ppl so that they can serve there.

3. On breaking into the job scene.
Infomation is this country is very restricted and I can assure you that that was why sites like these were created. In other words, it had been very difficult to know which jobs where available until someone like GB thot of this site. Otherwise you can always try other job boards like monster especially if u have experience. Lastly, I'll advise you to write the contact people/ ceo's of companies in Nigeria: My best job leads in Nigeria where from companies whose CEO's I contacted while still outside the country.
All d best

Bns,
Thanks for ur words.Yeah I had heard about all that stuff for NYSC and all and how foreign grads have to be home about 5weeks b4 camp starts to do all the processing and all. So that I am fully aware of.Thanks!

Now u said something about contacting the CEO's of the companies? 4 real? How does one even get that info? Dont u go thru HR? Cos thats what I have been trying to do. Cos some of the companies have their HR contacts on their website. Now for those pple who dont have that infomation how does one get their details? So as to contact them.
Thanks!

Usually, the ones which u contact the ceos (or whomever is listed as the nigerian contact person on corprate/info websites like mbeki) are companies that they don't advertise (or have a well developed HR process). Either way, you can write to the email addresses you see on the websites or send cv to the local office (CEO or not). They'll either say they'll send your cv to HR dept like chevron did for me or the ceo may actually respond and show interest like many of the smaller companies who wrote me.
For companies who try to be invisible: Info sites like mbeki.com (not sure of spelling) are there (u get such sites from google searches on the company). You can also obtain local addresses where email info is not available.
Corporate sites with nigerian branches will at least list 1 person for contact


Bottom line: They're people and they can be contacted with & excited by CV's. Also You need to be very forceful/determined and be ready to approach anyone.
All d best: d struggle continues

Yea great posts Bns and Hints,
ellediva and teetee, just keep us updated on your progress as you plan to come back to Nigeria, we are always here to give you tips and any available info at our own volition. Also encourage others who share your spirit to join you in the very good plans that you have.
We shall get there......

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

wat an intersting thing...

well i feel ur stay in US shld av afforded U opportunity to add values to ursef
U are @ an advantage as per job...som coys. just want folks dat studied abroad (chikenna)...
aslo dia are viable biz rite here
Its just the way u see things...though challenges abound, but we are till surviving (with Careersng & AlljobsNigeria)...wat of una wey dey com?
Beta dey ground...
My own idea is to go study abroad (MSc) and com back here....i'll make my doe big time here...in Naija...and i mean dis seriosly

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In Life's Pursuits, Never Outrun God [Prov. 19:21]
1luv...

Jiggo,
Thx for the input...
i guess the most difficult of your plans is.. coming back home..
its hard to wanna come back after you taste an ideal life.. where your life is more valued more freedom etc..

Those that have the courage to come back often go ahead to make a big difference.

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Building a Solution Colony. Gb!

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In Life's Pursuits, Never Outrun God [Prov. 19:21]
1luv...

Bros Jiggo..
no take am personal na..
we just dey share opinions..
i dey talk from experience say most of my paddies wey go for Msc no dey come back..
na him dem dey call Brain Drain..

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Building a Solution Colony. Gb!

well...bros. if u dont get serios for once, ao dem go believe?
nice u know am different...well, we all get diff. ideologies anyway
wateva it is, with the crop of folks am seeing daily, am getting excited cos. Naija will florish again...the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it...

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In Life's Pursuits, Never Outrun God [Prov. 19:21]
1luv...

First and foremost, i will encourage you to come home when you think you are ready. I have live in the US for over 20+ years and i just came to Nigeria about 4months now...Tough but i can adapt. I have so many friends now planing on coming back ,even those who had been coming home on a frequent basis are planing on staying permanently because home is home......'What you are looking ofr in Sokoto is right there in your Sokoto'... You need to know what you are going to be doing that you will love in Nigeria when you come back. I am an IT guy for the last 15yrs ...now i find it had to get a job ....maybe because of my experience or not ....am still happy that am here..... Networking and Social gathering will be the most tool for your success in this country not mainly your skill....talk to people about what you can do and what they can do for you also......don't be too proud to ask for help and get it when someone offer to assist you.
God will help us make this country a great nation soon......Good luck!

Tim

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Fowe.
Choices make or mar Chances ... add extra care to your choices today.

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More twisted than dreadlocks