Opportunities in Nigeria

Opportunities in Nigeria mostly come through universities, international organisations, NGOs and research bodies. UN agencies operate in the country. UNICEF Nigeria lists vacancies on its own pages and does not accept unsolicited CVs. WHO runs internships through its careers site, including at country offices; applicants must be enrolled or have graduated within 18 months and hold a passport from a WHO Member State, and eligible interns can receive a living allowance.

A Nigerian student visa covers full-time study at approved institutions, is usually issued for one academic year at a time and is renewable. It requires an admission letter, proof of funds and proof of accommodation. Paid work is generally prohibited unless authorised through an internship or work-study arrangement. Short-visit e-Visa classes are not extendable, and business visas do not permit direct employment. Anyone staying beyond 56 days for employment, business or long-term residence needs a CERPAC residence permit, and a temporary residence visa exists for employment, internships and similar purposes.

Many visa categories require an invitation letter or sponsor, so the host institution or employer usually has to act first. Common mistakes include arriving on a short-visit e-Visa and then taking up study or work, sending unsolicited CVs to organisations that do not accept them, trusting job aggregators for current postings, and assuming one category's rules apply to another.