CV and applications
How to Write a Professional Nigerian CV in 2026
Build a clear, credible Nigerian CV with practical examples for your profile, experience, achievements, education and skills.
Updated 5 November 2026 · 9 minute read · CareerPlug NG Editorial Team
A strong CV helps a recruiter understand what you can do, where you have created value and why your experience fits the vacancy. It should not be a biography or a list of every activity you have completed.
This guide uses a simple structure that works for graduates, early-career applicants and experienced professionals applying in Nigeria or for remote roles.
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Start with the information a recruiter needs
Place your name, phone number, professional email address, city and relevant portfolio or LinkedIn link at the top. A full home address, state of origin, religion, marital status and photograph are normally unnecessary unless an application specifically requests them.
- Use an email address based on your real name.
- Check that every phone number and link works.
- Use one consistent version of your name across your CV and application.
Write a focused professional summary
Use three or four lines to state your professional direction, strongest relevant capabilities and a result or area of experience. Replace vague claims such as “hard-working team player” with evidence.
Example: “Customer support specialist with two years of experience resolving account and payment enquiries across email and live chat. Maintained a 92% satisfaction score and created response templates that reduced average handling time.”
Turn duties into evidence
For each recent role, show the organisation, title and dates, followed by three to five bullets. Begin with an action, explain the work and add a result where you can support it.
- Weak: Responsible for social media.
- Stronger: Planned a four-week Instagram campaign that increased profile visits by 28%.
- Weak: Helped customers.
- Stronger: Resolved an average of 35 customer enquiries daily across phone and WhatsApp.
Present limited experience honestly
If you are applying for your first role, use internships, NYSC responsibilities, volunteering, school projects, freelance work and practical projects. Describe the problem, your contribution, the tools used and the outcome. Never invent an employer or inflate your level of responsibility.
Tailor and proofread every application
Read the vacancy and identify the repeated skills, tools and responsibilities. Use the same accurate terminology where it describes your experience. Keep formatting simple, use clear headings and export as PDF unless another format is requested.
- Remove unrelated details that hide relevant evidence.
- Check dates, spelling and punctuation.
- Name the file clearly, for example Chidinma-Nweke-CV.pdf.
- Open the final PDF on a phone before sending it.
Your checklist
- Contact details are current
- Summary matches the target role
- Experience bullets show evidence
- Skills can be demonstrated
- Dates are consistent
- Links work
- PDF opens correctly
- File name is professional
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How long should my CV be?+
One page can work for graduates with limited experience. Two pages are reasonable when the additional information is relevant. Clarity matters more than reaching a fixed page count.
Should I include referees?+
Usually, provide referees only when requested. You can keep their details in a separate document and obtain their permission before sharing them.