How to Write a Nigerian CV in 2026

The Nigerian CV is a comprehensive professional document that blends British colonial conventions with distinctly local requirements. Understanding what Lagos and Abuja employers expect — and why — will help you stand out in one of Africa's most competitive job markets.

Nigerian CV Format

Length: Two pages is standard. Experienced professionals in senior roles may stretch to three, but brevity remains valued — particularly in Lagos's fast-moving tech and financial services sectors.

Passport photograph: A professional passport-style photograph (2×2 inches or equivalent) is standard in the top-right corner of the first page. While not legally required, omitting it on a Nigerian CV can make the document appear incomplete to many Nigerian hiring managers. Ensure the photo is recent, professionally dressed, and on a plain background.

Document heading: Many Nigerian candidates open with "CURRICULUM VITAE" as a bold heading above the personal details — this is expected and appropriate.

Personal Information Section

Unlike UK or US documents, Nigerian CVs include a personal information section with:

• Full name
• Date of birth and place of birth
• Nationality (always include)
• State of origin — this is uniquely Nigerian and remains relevant for federal government positions, which apply a federal character principle allocating positions across Nigeria's 36 states and FCT
• Marital status
• Religion (optional, though common in some sectors)
• Contact address, phone, email
• Driving license if applicable

NYSC Certificate — Non-Negotiable for Graduates

If you completed your first degree in Nigeria after 1973 and are under 30 at the time of graduation, you are required to complete the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The NYSC discharge certificate is one of the most important documents in Nigerian job applications. Many employers will not process your application without it. List your NYSC posting state and year of completion in your education or a dedicated section.

Qualifications Section

Nigerian employers take educational qualifications seriously. List your full qualifications in reverse chronological order:

• University degree, institution, class of degree (First Class, Second Class Upper, Second Class Lower, Third Class, Pass)
• WAEC/NECO/NABTEB with grades for relevant subjects — still listed by most candidates
• Professional certifications (ICAN for accountants, NSE for engineers, NBA call to bar for lawyers)

Your class of degree matters significantly in Nigeria. A Second Class Upper (2:1) is typically the minimum bar for large corporate employers and financial institutions. First Class graduates from University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, ABU Zaria, and University of Benin carry strong prestige.

Work Experience

Reverse chronological order. For each role include company name, your title, start/end dates (Month Year), location, and three to five bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Lagos-based firms — particularly in banking (GTBank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank), FMCG (Unilever, Nestlé), oil & gas (Shell, Total), and tech (Flutterwave, Paystack, Andela) — value quantified impact statements.

Declaration Section

End your CV with a brief declaration of accuracy: "I hereby declare that the information provided above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. [Signature] [Date]." This is a standard closing convention on Nigerian CVs.

Referees

List two to three professional referees with their full name, title, employer, email, and phone. Nigerian employers do contact referees — and sometimes call references before or during the interview process. Ensure your referees are aware and willing.

The Lagos vs Abuja Dynamic

Lagos is Nigeria's commercial capital with concentration in banking, tech, oil & gas, and FMCG. Applications here often go through competitive processes at firms like Access Bank, Dangote Group, MTN Nigeria, and foreign multinationals. Abuja concentrates federal government ministries, international organisations (World Bank, UNDP, African Development Bank country offices), and NGOs. Federal applications are governed by Federal Civil Service Commission procedures and may use different forms.

Key Mistakes to Avoid

• Omitting NYSC status when you are expected to have completed it — this raises immediate red flags
• Listing a class of degree without the institution — unverifiable and appears evasive
• Using a foreign CV format that omits state of origin for federal government applications
• Informal email addresses — create a professional address using your name
• Vague responsibilities without specific achievements — Nigeria's banking and fintech sectors in particular value metrics