Whether you're applying for your first role or making a career move, your CV is one of the most important tools in your job search. In Nigeria, recruiters look for CVs that are direct, well-organized, and free from unnecessary decoration.
This guide covers what a standard Nigerian CV should look like in 2025 and what to avoid if you want to make a strong first impression.
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What Format Do Nigerian Employers Expect?
- Length: 1 page for new graduates, 2 pages for experienced professionals
- File Type: PDF is preferred (unless instructed otherwise)
- Style: Clean, clear, no colors or photos
- Order: Most recent roles and education should come first
Basic Structure of a Nigerian CV
Here’s the standard order your CV should follow:
1. Contact Information
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- City and state
- LinkedIn or personal website (optional but useful)
No need to include a home address, passport number, or photo.
2. Career Summary or Objective
A short paragraph (2–3 lines) summarizing your professional focus. Tailor it to the job you’re applying for. Avoid vague statements like “hardworking individual.” Focus on skills and outcomes.
3. Work Experience
Start with your most recent job and go backward. Include:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates (Month/Year format)
- Key responsibilities or achievements (2–4 bullet points)
Where possible, include results with numbers.
4. Education
- Degree or qualification
- Institution name
- Location
- Graduation year
- You can include honors, final project titles, or relevant coursework if you’re early in your career.
5. Skills
Keep this section focused on technical or role-specific skills like:
- Microsoft Excel
- Project management
- Digital marketing
- UI/UX design
- Financial reporting
- Avoid listing soft skills like “team player” unless you show them in your work experience.
6. Certifications and Training
Include any extra training, professional certificates, or short courses relevant to your career. These can help set you apart.
7. Volunteering or Interests (Optional)
This can help if you're early in your career or applying to people-focused roles. Keep it short and relevant.
8. References
This section is optional. You can write “Available on request” or include 1–2 referees with their contact info if asked.
CV Formatting Tips
- Use simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Font size: 10–12pt for body text, 14–16pt for headings
- Bold your section headers
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs
- Keep margins wide enough so your CV doesn’t feel cramped
- Save as PDF and name your file professionally (e.g.,
Aisha_Ogunleye_CV.pdf)
Tools to Help You Get Started
You can build your CV using Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but if you want something faster and cleaner, try Hello.cv. It takes your information and instantly builds a professional online CV that you can publish and share
Get a branded domain (yourname.cv) now
Get a free .cv Site and enhance your career