Working in Lagos - things to consider.

Working in Lagos

If you are coming to Lagos with the hope of finding work, what are the things to consider? What kinds of opportunities exist for workers? What are some of the problems faced with working in Lagos?

Things to consider

Lagos is popularly called the centre of excellence because of its highly educated and skilled workforce. So consider work in Lagos to be competitive in terms of suitable replacements for every job position.

Also note that with the exception of few cases most Nigerian workers in Lagos earn below $600 a month regardless of Educational and professional qualifications.

However expatriates or Nigerians who received training abroad from a first world country are favoured with generous remunerations. Therefore Paper qualification and country from which it was obtained from play a significant role in determining job placement and remuneration.

The best paying jobs are found in the following industries; Banking, Oil and gas, IT especially GSM and Software development companies, Medical Practice, Real estate and Top notch Media services (Advertising, Radio presentation and Public relations).

Also consider that transportation in and around Lagos is one of the highest in Africa, housing and food stuffs are equally expensive when compared with other cities of its kind.

Work Opportunities

If you possess exceptional skills in IT, journalism/communication and Health sciences, then finding work will not be a challenge to you.

However many more opportunities are open as well in hospitality, retail businesses and Education. Part time job opportunities exist if you wish to do more to augment your income.

Such part time jobs are mainly hobbies or interests which one could pursue during his/her leisure time and they could be marketing, research based services, proof reading, teaching, wedding planning, salesmanship and private consultancy services.

Working 2 or 3 part time jobs will not only provide extra income but could also be a relief in the event of job loss. Also note that the largest employer of labour besides the government is the banking industry because of its ever growing strides within the economy.

You may one day wish to work with them someday (well they usually pay their staff well) although they really do over work many of their staff.

Some problems faced with working in Lagos

Most jobs do not pay wages for overtime. Don’t be surprised if after work hours are not compensated. Also there is hardly any insurance policy undertaking on behalf of workers other than health insurance policies in most companies with the exception of a few usually larger firms and multinational corporations.

Transportation which is mostly by road to and from work is easier and safer if you live close to where you work. But for majority of workers who commute to and from work, traffic congestion and high transportation costs makes their work day not so pleasant.

Note that it is much better (cost effective and more convenient) to own your means of transportation especially when it is a motorcycle which is faster than automobiles on the Lagos roads. There is also the issue of accommodation to consider.

If on the other hand you work on the mainland then it is advisable to live on the mainland as accommodation is expensive on the island. The only exception to this is if you earn a fat income then living on the Island is more convenient.

Conclusion

In all, working and living in Lagos is a daily struggle but a very interesting one.

Comment on this article or start a discussion by asking for peoples' opinion on a related topic.

return from home working in lagos