Yes, I can categorically tell you that people do NOT get jobs by merit in Nigeria. I have loads of instances and experiences that I can back this with and I know a lot of people too will testify to this except those really gaining from the government and just want to blindly support their pay master.

Let me start with the interview I went last week. We were about 15 guys. We sat at the security office, and were called in, in 4's. Then it remained about 4 of us. 2 guys were discussing in Yoruba, then the CSO called out the guy beside me. I went out and pretended as if I was making a call and I was speaking in Yoruba. I overheard the CSO telling the guy in Igbo that "oga" said he should come in last. He assured him that he would be employed as long as "oga" is involved. I'm very sure I did well at the interview. As I was leaving, I collected his number. I called him today and he said he was called to come this week for medicals.

It is no news that to get a job in any of the MDA's, you have to pay a huge sum of money. Jobs in MDA's are sold from 700k upwards. You can NEVER see a due process, free and fair fed. Govt recruitment. There has to be job racketeering. Go to the MDA salary thread on Nairaland and you will almost cry tears for Nigeria. I will never forget how my name was shortchanged in NSITF recruitment. After paying for registration, writing test, and attending 2 different interviews. People with STRONG connection who initially knew nothing about the recruitment nor even paid for registration, nor did test, nor attended interview, later got the jobs.

As I speak with you, a secret underground employment is currently going on in FIRS, but they recently came out to debunk it. People are even doing induction, while some are getting appointment letters.

It is not just in federal or state government, even in private firms. You can not get a job in Nigeria today if you don't have connection.

The problem is not only the Government, it is also that of the privileged citizens.

NIGERIA IS FINISHED! Believe me when I say NIGERIA OUR COUNTRY IS FINISHED!

If you an undergraduate hoping to get a job in Nigeria after NYSC without a STRONG and CONFIRMED connection, please do yourself and your future a fantastic favour by saving from your NYSC allawee, then apply for a school Visa and leave this country. If you get there, go to a cheaper school and start a new life. Get involved with a citizen, then marry.

THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!

First of all you are absolutely right....
But there is still a bit of merit, just a tiny winny bit...BUT YOU HAVE TO BE EXCEPTIONAL AMONG EVEN THE first class, then ace interviews REALLY HIGHLY AND STUDY SOMETHING That the conneteees can't really replace you and be PRAYERFUL, PIOUS in summary behave like Jesus. You go definitely get it God willing

OcVoice:
Yes, I can categorically tell you that people do NOT get jobs by merit in Nigeria. I have loads of instances and experiences that I can back this with and I know a lot of people too will testify to this except those really gaining from the government and just want to blindly support their pay master.

Let me start with the interview I went last week. We were about 15 guys. We sat at the security office, and were called in, in 4's. Then it remained about 4 of us. 2 guys were discussing in Yoruba, then the CSO called out the guy beside me. I went out and pretended as if I was making a call and I was speaking in Yoruba. I overheard the CSO telling the guy in Igbo that "oga" said he should come in last. He assured him that he would be employed as long as "oga" is involved. I'm very sure I did well at the interview. As I was leaving, I collected his number. I called him today and he said he was called to come this week for medicals.

It is no news that to get a job in any of the MDA's, you have to pay a huge sum of money. Jobs in MDA's are sold from 700k upwards. You can NEVER see a due process, free and fair fed. Govt recruitment. There has to be job racketeering. Go to the MDA salary thread on Nairaland and you will almost cry tears for Nigeria. I will never forget how my name was shortchanged in NSITF recruitment. After paying for registration, writing test, and attending 2 different interviews. People with STRONG connection who initially knew nothing about the recruitment nor even paid for registration, nor did test, nor attended interview, later got the jobs.

As I speak with you, a secret underground employment is currently going on in FIRS, but they recently came out to debunk it. People are even doing induction, while some are getting appointment letters.

It is not just in federal or state government, even in private firms. You can not get a job in Nigeria today if you don't have connection.

The problem is not only the Government, it is also that of the privileged citizens.

NIGERIA IS FINISHED! Believe me when I say NIGERIA OUR COUNTRY IS FINISHED!

If you an undergraduate hoping to get a job in Nigeria after NYSC without a STRONG and CONFIRMED connection, please do yourself and your future a fantastic favour by saving from your NYSC allawee, then apply for a school Visa and leave this country. If you get there, go to a cheaper school and start a new life. Get involved with a citizen, then marry.

THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!

Nigeria destroyed my life. Wasted my time! Killed my dream! I am 40. I have no job, no wife, no business.


Last words: IT IS ONLY REVOLUTION THAT WILL REVIVE THIS COUNTRY

You are not far from the truth, I also had similar experience, but I won't mention the places.....

Currently I'm looking for a cheaper work so I could save more and leave this country for good

You are definitely right. if you don't have connection or money to pay for a job. You can not secure a Federal govt Job in Nigeria

DrTims:
You are definitely right. if you don't have connection or money to pay for a job. You can not secure a Federal govt Job in Nigeria

Not just federal. State, private, multinational, one man biz......you must have a strong connection to get any!

Youngman, you re not far from the truth. Nigeria is a ticking bomb awaiting explosion.
It is well

OcVoice:
Yes, I can categorically tell you that people do NOT get jobs by merit in Nigeria. I have loads of instances and experiences that I can back this with and I know a lot of people too will testify to this except those really gaining from the government and just want to blindly support their pay master.

Let me start with the interview I went last week. We were about 15 guys. We sat at the security office, and were called in, in 4's. Then it remained about 4 of us. 2 guys were discussing in Yoruba, then the CSO called out the guy beside me. I went out and pretended as if I was making a call and I was speaking in Yoruba. I overheard the CSO telling the guy in Igbo that "oga" said he should come in last. He assured him that he would be employed as long as "oga" is involved. I'm very sure I did well at the interview. As I was leaving, I collected his number. I called him today and he said he was called to come this week for medicals.

It is no news that to get a job in any of the MDA's, you have to pay a huge sum of money. Jobs in MDA's are sold from 700k upwards. You can NEVER see a due process, free and fair fed. Govt recruitment. There has to be job racketeering. Go to the MDA salary thread on Nairaland and you will almost cry tears for Nigeria. I will never forget how my name was shortchanged in NSITF recruitment. After paying for registration, writing test, and attending 2 different interviews. People with STRONG connection who initially knew nothing about the recruitment nor even paid for registration, nor did test, nor attended interview, later got the jobs.

As I speak with you, a secret underground employment is currently going on in FIRS, but they recently came out to debunk it. People are even doing induction, while some are getting appointment letters.

It is not just in federal or state government, even in private firms. You can not get a job in Nigeria today if you don't have connection.

The problem is not only the Government, it is also that of the privileged citizens.

NIGERIA IS FINISHED! Believe me when I say NIGERIA OUR COUNTRY IS FINISHED!

If you an undergraduate hoping to get a job in Nigeria after NYSC without a STRONG and CONFIRMED connection, please do yourself and your future a fantastic favour by saving from your NYSC allawee, then apply for a school Visa and leave this country. If you get there, go to a cheaper school and start a new life. Get involved with a citizen, then marry.

THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!
THERE IS NO HOPE IN THIS COUNTRY FOR THE CONNECTIONLESS!

Nigeria destroyed my life. Wasted my time! Killed my dream! I am 40. I have no job, no wife, no business.


Last words: IT IS ONLY REVOLUTION THAT WILL REVIVE THIS COUNTRY

I feel your pain.

But I do not entirely agree with you.

Perhaps it is very applicable in the public sector of the economy. At the different levels of the civil service you can get jobs just by having the right connections.

It's is however rather untrue in the very vast skills dependent private sector. There is absolutely no way any recruiter will recruit his ward or protege to work in a highly specialised role.

People who set up businesses have profit as their primary focus. And this profit is only attained when you are able to provide a product or service if reasonable value. The more the perceived value the more the profit.

What you need is do is to develop a skill in such a way that you cannot be ignored by any recruiter. I assure you that for very serious companies there is little or no room for mediocrity and it will not be tolerated even from the son of the founding director.

On a personal note I suggest that at age 40, you need to undergo a paradigm shift. Perhaps you are no longer an attractive candidate for many roles unless you have cognate experience in the area required. You could explore starting out with a trade and then watch it grow as it eventually provides you with daily income that is consistent and reasonable.

Oktane:


I feel your pain.

But I do not entirely agree with you.

Perhaps it is very applicable in the public sector of the economy. At the different levels of the civil service you can get jobs just by having the right connections.

It's is however rather untrue in the very vast skills dependent private sector. There is absolutely no way any recruiter will recruit his ward or protege to work in a highly specialised role.

People who set up businesses have profit as their primary focus. And this profit is only attained when you are able to provide a product or service if reasonable value. The more the perceived value the more the profit.

What you need is do is to develop a skill in such a way that you cannot be ignored by any recruiter. I assure you that for very serious companies there is little or no room for mediocrity and it will not be tolerated even from the son of the founding director.

On a personal note I suggest that at age 40, you need to undergo a paradigm shift. Perhaps you are no longer an attractive candidate for many roles unless you have cognate experience in the area required. You could explore starting out with a trade and then watch it grow as it eventually provides you with daily income that is consistent and reasonable.

Well said sir.

What skill do you think I can develop at age 40 to get a job in Nigeria? Mind you, i don't have money to pay for it!

Moreover I don't see why I am not an attractive candidate for many roles.....my age is not mentioned in my CV and i have experience in sales and procurement.

I get invites for tests and interviews, and i usually pass the tests and i am usually happy after my interviews but I don't get called for the job. I can beat my chest and tell you that in most cases, the candidate with a STRONG connection in the interviews i attend, often gets the job. I have a handful of instances!

OcVoice:


Well said sir.

What skill do you think I can develop at age 40 to get a job in Nigeria? Mind you, i don't have money to pay for it!

Moreover I don't see why I am not an attractive candidate for many roles.....my age is not mentioned in my CV and i have experience in sales and procurement.

I get invites for tests and interviews, and i usually pass the tests and i am usually happy after my interviews but I don't get called for the job. I can beat my chest and tell you that in most cases, the candidate with a STRONG connection in the interviews i attend, often gets the job. I have a handful of instances!

My response was not meant to denigrate you or your personality. Far from it. It was only drawn from my personal experience anchored on a number of years in managing staff recruitment and training. I only desire that you draw whatever benefits may exist in those lines above.

I am an above 40 male specie myself. I understand the feeling that one may have list a lot of time especially when compared to the exploits of our better doing contemporaries. There are several skills one can learn as adult but your choice of skill acquisition must be defined by certain parameters including but not limited to the following;

It must be something that is fast and requires more mental acuity than physical exertion.

It has be a career path that you can begin to earn from almost immediately.

It must be something you are in tune with, something that you can enjoy doing....or at least tolerate within reasonable bounds.

I cannot be specific about what you should learn at the moment. But I could share a number of inspiring experiences of other wayfarers.

Regarding the not having money part, I will ignore it because if you see the prospects you will find the money. It's that simple.

However, please be objective in your search.

I still maintain that you are not a very attractive candidate for many of the roles you apply for. At this stage in your life you should be head-hunted and not you seeking a job. You belong to the range of middle to senior management cadre in any industry. While you may have metal alertness, and you could also be physically fit you may not have the flexibility and innovation a 28 year old will have.

Incidentally, this morning I had the privilege of interviewing 3 candidates 28(M), 34(F) and 42(M) for a sales role in an FMCG company and I can tell you that even with less experience the 28 year old cornered the job.

The others had a good showing and of course more experience but the younger one exuded much more enthusiasm founded on his very palpable energy levels which I must say was quite contagious. May I add here that prior to the interview we were more inclined to the 42(F) candidate because of his experience as shown on his CV. But the 28(M) was a smart Alec. He stole the show.

Again, I do not disagree completely that there could be instances where the candidate is given priority or shown some favour for primordial reasons....this however will be the exception and not the norm in a forward looking company driven by profitability.

Apologies if you find my position offensive but it is what it is and personal to me. I only share this with you out of concern. And I do like your disposition this far.

Well, I always advise people to follow the route less traveled. When I finished my NYSC, I made up my mind to dust myself from every failed job search. Y'all spend so much time weeping over lost opportunities...

The truth is that at 40, as an employer I'd be unwilling to employ you without any work experience. Nigerians always wanna start large. Earn less whilst building experience then move.

With 2.1, I'd have done anything to get a job in Kpmg and write Ican. Or I'd have done a masters and start lecturing.

Think outside the box