What can a criminologist/social researcher do in Nigeria?

Perhaps enlist in the Nigeria Police Force?

LOL@Cristalz,
I don't even think the police is that specialized.
Poster, just look at academics. There might be a few NGOs out there, but academics is your best bet for a stable career. You can always take up a job teaching in a sociology department in any of our many universities. Lots of private ones now coming up. From there you'll probably see what else is out there.

@Ajanlekoko
LOL. . .there's nowhere else now Besides lecturing, like you said.
In Nigeria there are some good courses that just have no solid place at all, e.g Forensics. Kinda sad, but I guess we just have to keep believing things will get better.

Is that a rhetoric question or what?
Nigeria is very fertile ground for criminologists and sociologists (what with the plethora of crimininal activities prevalent in Nigeria and our very complex nature)
Don't just sit back and wait for a 9 to 5 or something,think up ideas,package them into proposals,then look for how to sell the ideas to the relevant government agencies/quarters etc.The media houses could be used as a launching pad(ensure to advertise the proposal in the media before even hinting the politicians about it,for patent reasons).Trust me,once the packakge is good our politicians will latch on to it,especially the ones that lack credibility in one way or the other and need "re-branding"

Thank you all for you reply. Very useful.

rasputinn:

Is that a rhetoric question or what?
Nigeria is very fertile ground for criminologists and sociologists (what with the plethora of crimininal activities prevalent in Nigeria and our very complex nature)
Don't just sit back and wait for a 9 to 5 or something,think up ideas,package them into proposals,then look for how to sell the ideas to the relevant government agencies/quarters etc.The media houses could be used as a launching pad(ensure to advertise the proposal in the media before even hinting the politicians about it,for patent reasons).Trust me,once the packakge is good our politicians will latch on to it,especially the ones that lack credibility in one way or the other and need "re-branding"

Thanks again for opinion. It is very useful.

I actually have Msc in criminology, criminal justice and social research methods and PhD in Forensic Criminology. I also have LLB and LLM in Justice. I want to relocate back home and establish a consultancy agency dealing with crime prevention, risk management, security operations, loss control, investigations, audit and analysis. Some of my research include community safety, third party policing, crime and place, crime hotspot mapping and crime displacement, media, communication and surveillance.

I studied criminal justice. I am thinking about coming ome next year. Is there any job out there for someone like me?

hey why are u people scared or u think sampling peoples opinion to tell u who u are can make a difference its your choice i all about know who u are and knowing what u woth .there are enough criminals in Nigeria you can package some stuffs

.

@Poster, the sky is the limit for you o - with those qualifications, you can go into academics (which will still give you enough time to establish your consultancy). It will also enable you network with other academics who can help you as resource people and provide further contacts within academia, business and government.

Secondly (someone can correct me if i am wrong) but you can join a Nigerian Security Service parastatal in Abuja - if we have any (i am not sure of this). Your qualifications far exceed what the police force can handle (even tho it is not supposed to be so).

There are some NGO's in Nigeria, sponsored by UN that look into things like Conflict Resolution, National Security Issues, etc that you can look for and try. There are other regional bodies like ECOWAS, NEPAD etc you can join. There is the International Institute for International Affairs (i think its NIIA) and a few other parastatals too.

In fact, in the private sector, well established companies like Mobil, Shell, MTN, Zenith, Oceanic, UBA that employ social researchers in one form or the other to help them with their Community Relationship and CSR issues. With your PhD, you will be able to join them on a senior level, probably as a consultant.

Really, it takes you to enter the market to survey what is and what is not suitable for you to engage in. Meanwhile, limiting yourself to your particular specialty may hinder you. It is possible that just because of your qualifications, you may be employed to fill a senior Admin role. If that is suitable for you, dont reject it - afterall, that is what General Management is all about!

All the best

@poster
Dude, you are hot! I mean, check your qualifications out! I think you should take rasputinn's advice. . .get some good ideas going, package them and go sell sell sell to the top firms/companies in Nigeria, any and every sector. They will buy you, really.
Guess one just has to create opportunities if none seem available.

tpia:

do you have experience with security companies? That's one area you could look into.

You could also try to get employment with the state or federal govt first while you're feeling your way around. The state pay is very poor but you can do that while searching for a niche elsewhere. With a federal job, you'll be transferred to different parts of the country and it may take a while before you're able to settle down. That's assuming they're even hiring. But the pay is better and I think they provide housing and maybe a car, though I'm not too sure about the car.

Police and lecturing are also viable options. As a lecturer, you'll be able to network more, especially if the university is a good one. Many colleges have forensics depts, btw.

LLB and LLM in Justice would place you in the court system though you'd still have to go to the Nigerian Law School if you have a foreign degree.

I actually have experience in Security and Surveillance, .Administration of Justice and Security, Criminal Justice/Administration, Organisational Security & Management. Part of my work in Security Operations includes issues of building and perimeter protection, intrusion and access control, alarm and surveillance systems, fire protection and control, emergency and disaster planning, prevention of loss, accident prevention and safety, and enforcement of policy. The use of CCTV systems, guards and patrols, detection equipment, identity verification, and access management.

I am also hoping to go to law school in Nigeria. As a middle-age woman (42) to start a career in Law in Nigeria might be a bit late. Anyway, I will look into this when I am in Nigeria during summer.

Epiphany:

@Poster, the sky is the limit for you o - with those qualifications, you can go into academics (which will still give you enough time to establish your consultancy). It will also enable you network with other academics who can help you as resource people and provide further contacts within academia, business and government.

Secondly (someone can correct me if i am wrong) but you can join a Nigerian Security Service parastatal in Abuja - if we have any (i am not sure of this). Your qualifications far exceed what the police force can handle (even tho it is not supposed to be so).

There are some NGO's in Nigeria, sponsored by UN that look into things like Conflict Resolution, National Security Issues, etc that you can look for and try. There are other regional bodies like ECOWAS, NEPAD etc you can join. There is the International Institute for International Affairs (i think its NIIA) and a few other parastatals too.

In fact, in the private sector, well established companies like Mobil, Shell, MTN, Zenith, Oceanic, UBA that employ social researchers in one form or the other to help them with their Community Relationship and CSR issues. With your PhD, you will be able to join them on a senior level, probably as a consultant.

Really, it takes you to enter the market to survey what is and what is not suitable for you to engage in. Meanwhile, limiting yourself to your particular specialty may hinder you. It is possible that just because of your qualifications, you may be employed to fill a senior Admin role. If that is suitable for you, dont reject it - afterall, that is what General Management is all about!

All the best

Epiphany:

@Poster, the sky is the limit for you o - with those qualifications, you can go into academics (which will still give you enough time to establish your consultancy). It will also enable you network with other academics who can help you as resource people and provide further contacts within academia, business and government.

Secondly (someone can correct me if i am wrong) but you can join a Nigerian Security Service parastatal in Abuja - if we have any (i am not sure of this). Your qualifications far exceed what the police force can handle (even tho it is not supposed to be so).

There are some NGO's in Nigeria, sponsored by UN that look into things like Conflict Resolution, National Security Issues, etc that you can look for and try. There are other regional bodies like ECOWAS, NEPAD etc you can join. There is the International Institute for International Affairs (i think its NIIA) and a few other parastatals too.

In fact, in the private sector, well established companies like Mobil, Shell, MTN, Zenith, Oceanic, UBA that employ social researchers in one form or the other to help them with their Community Relationship and CSR issues. With your PhD, you will be able to join them on a senior level, probably as a consultant.

Really, it takes you to enter the market to survey what is and what is not suitable for you to engage in. Meanwhile, limiting yourself to your particular specialty may hinder you. It is possible that just because of your qualifications, you may be employed to fill a senior Admin role. If that is suitable for you, dont reject it - afterall, that is what General Management is all about!

All the best

Acknowledged with thanks. Very useful information. I will start sending my CV around on my next trip to Nigeria.
Thank you very much.

I think there is much work for a criminologist in Nigeria, just not enough prisons to lock uo 75% of the country is the problem

Thor:

I think there is much work for a criminologist in Nigeria, just not enough prisons to lock uo 75% of the country is the problem

You are very right that there is not enough prisons to accommodate criminals in Nigeria but I can assure that prison is not the best place to reform many of the criminals in Nigeria. Nigeria prison conditions are awful and inhumane. In my own opinion people that belong to prison in Nigeria are not in prison and if you have money you can avoid prison sentence. To work within prison service in Nigeria will be a challenge and hardwork but will be rewarding. In fact sentencing and some aspects of criminal Justice in Nigeria needs government intervention and the dedication of people working the system.

.

But I think a criminologist can work as an EFCC, A STATE SECURITY SERVICE (SSS), ICPC,CUSTOM,NDLEA,AND A LOTS MORE IN NIGERIA.

     I too am about to go for it on National Open University of NIgeria.

Any Option for that?. Please I too I need an advise for this please anyone with a ggod advise?.

1st prospect ?? become a criminal first, then u'll understand criminology better
2nd prospect?? run the streets, best way to do social research
dope

Makavelis:

1st prospect ?? become a criminal first, then u'll understand criminology better
2nd prospect?? run the streets, best way to do social research
dope

You are very right.

I think  George Soros foundation like Open Society Institute might be of help
http://www.africa.upeace.org/
http://www.upeace.org/system/africa.cfm
http://www.osiwa.org/spip.php?id_rubrique=10

I thought much about this post and I fill like dropping this- as a Criminologist in the real world, you are supposed to be working with a crime fighting agency. It could be the Nigerian Police or any of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Dont just think about how bad the Nigerian Police has been, think of having a career push and experience, from there you can go places,if you really want to stand out-u move up.Guess what up I mean-u shoot urself to other reputable international organization; and let me tell you something-The Nigerian Police Force will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come, so b a part.i'm already on my way, lol

You are very encouraging. Many thanks.

I actually have Msc in criminology, criminal justice and social research methods and PhD in Forensic Criminology. I also have LLB and LLM in Justice. I want to relocate back home and establish a consultancy agency dealing with crime prevention, risk management, security operations, loss control, investigations, audit and analysis. Some of my research include community safety, third party policing, crime and place, crime hotspot mapping and crime displacement, media, communication and surveillance.

@poster

I believe lots of good advice had been given on this thread. I don't know what the Nigerian law says about the nature of forensic evidence that is admissible in court. I know the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have got forensic researchers (although I don't know what they do). I'm assuming all the kind of forensic evidence admissible in law courts of western developed world are also admissible in Nigeria Courts.

That said I believe there are lots of good prospects for a forensic criminologist in Nigeria. Think about the state of public safety, kidnappings, robbery, murder, etc. Do you think it is in all those instances that law enforcement agencies are actually not interested in solving the cases? Public and private sector organisations are losing faith in the police and are looking at setting up crime prevention, detection and other mitigating systems and controls.

You can set up consulting firm and consult for Police, SSS, and other law informant agencies in the areas of forensic analysis and general public safety (I am assuming you've got practical experience in all these areas). You can consult for private and public sector organisations prostates. There are a lot of areas you can look into here. You might need to go to the Nigerian Law School (I see more advantages than disadvantages in you doing this) and also possess the general 'street smarts' of a business person operating in a chaotic business environment like Nigeria. Someone already mentioned teaching jobs at a Nigerian University. I believe this is a very good idea. This is what I'll do if I have your degrees. The teaching will give you a lot of time to run consultancies an opening into the Nigerian environment. It should be relatively easy for you to get this because of your PhD. As a way of publicity and strategic placement, you might consider becoming a regular seminar resource and newspaper article contributor on public safety (I believe there is a huge gap here between what can be achieved and what currently obtains).

If I'm 42 and I have all your degrees, I definitely will not consider NPF, SSS, etc job as a regular staff but probably as a contracted consultant. NPF, SSS, etc might not have budgets that could enable them to hire consultants such as forensic experts to assist with specific investigations like it’s done in countries like the UK, etc. If this is the case, you might still be able to make tonnes of money as a trainer, curriculum designer, facilitator, etc. There are lots of things that could be done in Nigeria. Opportunities only limited by your imaginations (you might not even need to imagine anything, just adapt what you’ve seen overseas to local environment). You only need to go with an open mind. This will let you see other related opportunities and gaps in the market.

Hi Pluto04,

I am grateful for your valuable information which I will definitely make use of. Thank you.

I have followed the conersations on this thread and would like to know where the poster has gotten to in terms of this. There are untapped 'opportunities' here that we the citizens sometimes need to open up. Have you thought of liasing with a lawmaker as to sponsoring a bill on this as we lack adequate legislation?
It was not quite long that the senate permitted electronic evidences in court cases, so we can start from somewhere. The anti-corruption agencies badly need these services.

pluto04:

If I'm 42 and I have all your degrees, I definitely will not consider NPF, SSS, etc job as a regular staff but probably as a contracted consultant.

If this is the case, you might still be able to make tonnes of money as a trainer, curriculum designer, facilitator, etc. There are lots of things that could be done in Nigeria. Opportunities only limited by your imaginations (you might not even need to imagine anything, just adapt what you’ve seen overseas to local environment). You only need to go with an open mind. This will let you see other related opportunities and gaps in the market.

Excellent!

okedjs:

What can a criminologist/social researcher do in Nigeria?

bros abeg, did u enrol in the course at NOUN, if yes, i will like to contact u for more details

@emmanuelbrown26: I did the course in UK.

okedjs:
@emmanuelbrown26: I did the course in UK.

OK, thanks

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