Applications
Nigerian CV format 2026: what to include, in what order
The CV format Nigerian employers expect in 2026 — sections in order, NYSC, referees, length and file type — with what to leave out.
5 Nov 2026 · 6 min read
A Nigerian CV in 2026 runs to two pages, in this order: contact details, a short profile, NYSC status, work experience (most recent first), education, professional certifications, skills, and two or three referees. Leave out your photo, age, state of origin, religion and marital status unless the advert asks for them, and send it as a PDF named with your full name.
The sections, in order
| Section | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Full name, phone number, email, city — a full home address is not needed |
| Profile | Three or four lines: who you are, your main skills, the role you want |
| NYSC | Completed (year), currently serving, exempted, or exclusion granted |
| Work experience | Job title, employer, dates, then achievements — most recent first |
| Education | Degree, class, institution, year; secondary school only if you are a recent graduate |
| Certifications | Professional bodies and licences: ICAN, CIPM, COREN, NMCN, TRCN, and so on |
| Skills | Software, tools and languages relevant to the job |
| Referees | Two or three, with name, title, organisation, phone and email — ask them first |
Achievements, not duties
The work experience section is where most CVs lose the reader. 'Responsible for managing accounts' tells an employer nothing; 'Reconciled 40 supplier accounts monthly and cut overdue payments by a third' tells them what you can do. Write two to four bullet points per job, each starting with what you did and ending with what changed.
What to leave out
- A photograph — unless the advert asks, it invites judgement on something irrelevant.
- Date of birth or age, state of origin, local government area, religion, marital status.
- Every school since primary — your highest qualifications are enough.
- Hobbies that say nothing about the job.
- 'References available on request' — Nigerian employers expect the referees listed.
Length, file and email
Two pages is enough for most people, and one page is fine for a fresh graduate. Save it as a PDF so the layout does not move, name the file with your name (Chiamaka-Eze-CV.pdf), and put the job title in your email's subject line. Send it with a short application letter in the body of the email.