Types of Jobs in Nigeria: A Breakdown for Better Career Decisions

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Nigeria has a population of over 200 million. It’s the largest country in Africa and the seventh largest worldwide. Among these people, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Nigeria, about 54 million were unemployed as at the second quarter of 2020. In 2022, the number increased to about 74 million; by the end of 2023, they predict it’ll roughly be around 82 million. 

This is not meant to wow you; it’s actually worrying. Is it that the country’s situation has deteriorated to the extent that there are no jobs? It may seem that way, but you can’t deny Nigeria has experienced a growing interest in entrepreneurship and startups in recent years. How’s that related? 

The apparent overpopulation has increased demand, leading to more establishments and job opportunities. You may wonder how many people these startups could possibly employ. Forget that and focus on your chances of getting those opportunities instead! This article covers the list of jobs in Nigeria across several sectors. 

List of Jobs in Nigeria By Type

There are diverse job opportunities available in Nigeria across different sectors in multiple categories. For this article, we’ll discuss four types, shedding light on their defining characteristics, prevalent industries, advantages, challenges, and the kinds of jobs for each job type.

1. Full-time jobs

Unlike developed countries, Nigeria has more full-time jobs than part-time ones. It constitutes a significant portion of the Nigerian workforce. 

Full-time workers in Nigeria are expected to commit around 35 to 40 hours per week. Under normal circumstances, full-time workers are entitled to work benefits such as paid leave, health insurance, and retirement plans. 

Furthermore, these positions require employees to be consistently physically present at the workplace daily. 

2. Part-time jobs

Although not very common, part-time jobs are emerging as a viable option for those who seek to balance work with other commitments or responsibilities.

As the name implies, part-time roles demand that you work fewer than 40 hours compared to full-time roles. Part-time positions are ideal for students, parents, retirees, etc. 

3. Remote jobs

Working remotely allows individuals to carry out their tasks and responsibilities from any location rather than a dedicated office environment. Fields where you can quickly get hired as a remote worker include virtual assistance, digital marketing, software development, graphic design, online tutoring, content creation, and more.

4. Expatriate jobs

When foreign workers are hired or engaged by Nigerian companies or multinational corporations operating within the country, we refer to such employment as expatriate employment. These workers, commonly called expatriates or expats, relocate from their home countries to work temporarily or long-term. 

Popular Industries for Full-Time Jobs in Nigeria

Many industries in Nigeria have only full-time job opportunities because of the high demands and mode of operations. Some of the industries with full-time jobs in Nigeria:

1. Banking and finance: The financial sector in Nigeria is one of the cornerstones of the country’s economy. More so, with the emergence of fintech companies, the demand for professionals in full-time roles in banking, customer service, financial analysis, investment, risk management, etc, has also increased significantly. 
2. Oil and gas: Nigeria’s supposed status as an oil-producing nation has fueled the growth of its oil and gas sector. The mode of operations has contributed to more availability of oil and gas full-time jobs.
3. Technology and startups: The startup ecosystem offers opportunities for those with a flair for innovation and a passion for driving change. Many of these startups prefer individuals or professionals ready to fill full-time positions in software development, data analysis, and digital marketing.
4. Manufacturing: Manufacturing remains a foundational pillar of Nigeria’s economy. From food processing to automobile assembly, manufacturing provides a range of full-time roles for engineers, production managers, quality control experts, and logistics professionals, contributing to both domestic production and export.
5. Construction and real estate: Urbanization has led to a surge in construction and real estate activities. As a result, full-time positions in architecture, civil engineering, project management, and property development are more in demand.

Other sectors for full-time jobs include agriculture and agribusiness, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and media and entertainment.

Advantages of full-time jobs in Nigeria

There are many benefits associated with full-time roles in Nigeria, but these four stand out:

1. Stability: financial security and a consistent paycheck.
2. Benefits: health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off benefits
3. Career growth
4. Networking

Challenges of a full-time job in Nigeria

1. Limited flexibility
2. Striking a healthy work-life balance can be difficult in demanding full-time roles.
3. Monotony
4. High Expectations and pressure to deliver.

Some examples of full-time jobs in Nigeria

1. Regional Sales Manager at Procter & Gamble Nigeria
2. Financial Reporting / MPR Officer at Polaris Bank Limited
3. Team Lead, External & Internal Feedback Team at Polaris Bank Limited

Popular Industries for Part-time Jobs in Nigeria

Part-time job opportunities in Nigeria span various sectors and industries. Some prevalent areas are: 

1. Freelancing and online gigs

Freelancing refers to a work arrangement where individuals offer their skills and services on a project-by-project basis to clients or businesses. Freelancers are self-employed and work independently from their preferred locations. 

Meanwhile, an online gig is a temporary, task-oriented job or assignment performed over the Internet, usually through digital platforms. It is often a short-term project that individuals can complete remotely. These jobs exist in different forms, such as:

• Content Creation: writing articles, blog posts, social media content, or creating video content for websites and businesses.
• Graphic Design: designing logos, banners, advertisements, and other visual assets for clients.
• Web Development: building and maintaining websites, coding, and providing technical support.
• Digital Marketing: managing social media accounts, running online ad campaigns, and optimizing SEO.

2. Retail and customer service

Retailing involves selling products directly to consumers. Customer service revolves around creating and maintaining positive customer relationships, ensuring their needs are met, and addressing any concerns. Together, they are essential components of the business world. Some examples are:

• Sales Associates: assisting customers, handling transactions, and providing product information in retail stores.
• Cashiers: processing payments, handling cash, and ensuring accurate transactions.
• Customer Support: answering inquiries, resolving issues, and assisting via phone or online chat.

3. Tutoring and teaching

This revolves around educational interactions, helping individuals develop skills and achieve goals through instructions, guidance, and support.

• Subject tutoring: offering academic support in mathematics, science, languages, or test preparation.
• Music or art lessons: teaching musical instruments, singing, painting, or other artistic skills.
• Language instruction: providing language lessons or conversation practice for individuals or groups.

4. Ride-Sharing and delivery services

You can use your free time to partner with vendors as a delivery agent and get paid. Likewise, your car could earn you a lot of money through Uber and similar platforms.

• Ride-Share drivers: providing transportation services through platforms like Uber, Bolt, or Ola.
• Food delivery: Delivering meals and groceries to customers through food delivery apps.

4. Virtual assistance and administrative support

You can work independently or as part of a virtual assistant agency, offering their services on a contract or part-time basis. Your primary task is providing assistance and support.

• Administrative tasks: assisting businesses with data entry, email management, scheduling, and document preparation.
• Customer Service Representatives: handling customer inquiries and support through online platforms or phone calls.

5. Event staff and promotion

This is more of entertainment. You can make a lot of money while enjoying yourself.

• Event ushers: greeting attendees, providing directions, and ensuring smooth event flow.
• Brand ambassadors: promoting products or services at trade shows, exhibitions, and promotional events.
• Event coordinators: assisting with event planning, logistics, and coordination.

6. Fitness and wellness

You can sign up as a fitness instructor or trainer in a gym or even as a nutrition coach.

• Fitness instructors: teaching fitness classes, such as yoga, aerobics, or dance, at local gyms or community centers.
• Personal trainers: providing workout plans and fitness guidance to clients.
• Nutrition coaching: offering dietary advice and creating meal plans for individuals seeking healthier lifestyles.

7. Photography and videography

All you need is your camera set. You don’t have to be employed by anyone.

• Event photography: capturing photos at weddings, parties, corporate events, and other gatherings.
• Videography: recording and editing videos for events, promotional materials, or online content.

8. Pet care and pet sitting

This is not very common in Nigeria, which is understandable for a country where even human lives are not worth much. You will still find such job opportunities, though very rare.

• Dog walking: providing exercise and companionship for pets while their owners are at work or away.
• Pet sitting: taking care of pets in the owner’s absence, including feeding, grooming, and playtime.

9. Online surveys and market research

Online surveys deal with collecting data from a target audience. Market research is a broader concept encompassing various methods and techniques to understand market dynamics, consumer behavior, and industry trends. These methods help to keep a company afloat. 

You can participate in online surveys, focus groups, and market research studies to provide consumer insights.

Benefits of part-time jobs in Nigeria

Compared to full-time jobs, part-time jobs in Nigeria are more flexible and allow for the following:

1. Skill diversification
2. Income stream diversification
3. Work-life Balance

List of Remote Jobs Available in Nigeria

Here is a list of jobs in Nigeria that offer remote work settings: 

1. Blog Manager – Home & Decor Website (Remote) at AtlanticRide.com
2. Quality Assurance Engineer (Remote) at Gomoney
3. Engineering Manager – Public Cloud, Python, Golang (Remote) at Canonical Nigeria
4. Engineering Manager, Ubuntu Server – Cloud-init (Remote) at Canonical Nigeria

Pros and cons of working remotely

As pleasing as it may seem, working remotely is not without challenges. Below are the pros and cons of remote jobs:

Pros

• Remote jobs are more flexible
• Nigerians can now compete on an international scale, accessing job opportunities from companies across the world
• Remote work minimizes stress and reduces burnout

Cons

• Working remotely sometimes means a lack of social interaction, which can affect your mental health.
• Technological glitches and time zone differences can hinder effective communication.
• The home environment may not be void of distractions which could negatively impact productivity.

Nigerian Industries where Expatriate Jobs are Prevalent

1. Oil and Gas Industry
2. Telecommunications
3. Construction and Infrastructure
4. Banking and Finance, etc.

List of available expatriate jobs in Nigeria

1. Import / Export Executive at Multipro Consumer Products Limited
2. Optometrist at HR-EX Consulting
3. Store Overseer at HRLeverage Africa Limited

Challenges for expatriate workers

As a foreigner relocating to Nigeria, you will face many challenges during your relocation and stay. Here are the potential challenges you will have to deal with:

1. Cost of living
2. Lack of health and medical facilities
3. Security 
4. Language can become a barrier, especially in regions where English is not the primary language spoken. 
5. Cultural adjustment and adaptation
6. Legal and regulatory compliance
7. Infrastructure and logistics

Conclusion

Contrary to opinions, Nigeria is a big mix of different opportunities. Every job on this list of jobs in Nigeria is as seen and listed on greenjobsite. They are full-time, part-time, remote, or expatriate jobs, as discussed in the article.