Nigerian Graduate Starter Pack

Graduation is supposed to be the beginning of adulthood. You wear your gown, take hundreds of pictures, throw your cap in the air and convince yourself that life is about to get better.

Then reality enters the chat.

Before you know it, you’ve become a full-time job hunter, motivational speaker to yourself, and part-time prayer warrior. Somewhere along the way, you also discover that every Nigerian graduate comes with the same starter pack.

If you don’t have these five things yet, give it time. They’re probably on the way.

1. NYSC Certificate (Your Official Passport to Adult)

You had better go and serve your nation, or your nation will make you regret why you didn’t pay homage.

Whether we like it or not, the NYSC certificate has become one of the first things many employers ask for. It doesn’t matter that you graduated with a good grade or have the skills to do the job. Without that certificate, some opportunities won’t even let you through the door.

For many graduates, collecting that certificate feels like finally unlocking the next level in life. The only problem is that nobody tells you that another, even harder level called job hunting is waiting right after.

2. An Updated Resume

Remember all those little things you did in school?

That group assignment where you coordinated your classmates?

That event where you volunteered?

That small business you ran from your hostel?

Congratulations. They’re now “professional experience.”

Once graduation is over, every Nigerian graduate becomes a packaging expert. You suddenly discover that you’ve been a project manager, communications assistant and event coordinator all along. Not because you’re trying to lie, but because your CV has to look like it has seen life.

At this point, Google becomes your career coach, and ChatGPT becomes your CV editor.

3. A LinkedIn Account You Suddenly Take Seriously

Olololo.

This app and everyone on it are professional deceivers. But to be fair, LinkedIn is a very interesting place and packaging is very important in this life.

One minute, someone is announcing they’ve become the CEO of a company they started in their bedroom. The next minute, another person is sharing how they got hired after sending just one message.

You start wondering if everyone is succeeding except you.

Still, as funny as LinkedIn can be, it has become one of the most important platforms for graduates. It opens doors to opportunities, helps you build professional connections and reminds you that personal branding actually matters.

Just remember to package yourself without packaging lies.

4. Prayer Points You Never Knew You Needed

This one cannot be over-emphasised.

After submitting your CV to the fifteenth company without hearing anything back, you quickly realise that qualifications alone are not enough.

Suddenly, your prayers become very specific.

“God, let the HR person notice my application.”

“Father, let them not say they’ve chosen another candidate.”

Even people who said they weren’t the praying type somehow find themselves saying, “God abeg” after sending out 300 applications and receiving “Unfortunately…” emails.

Because at the end of the day, it really is just you and your God.

5. Connections: Because ‘Who Knows You?’ Is a Real Question

We all like to believe hard work speaks for itself.

Sometimes it does.

But we tend to forget that nepotism is the order of the day.

Other times, your hard work still needs someone to forward your CV to the right person.

Networking has become one of the biggest advantages in today’s job market. Whether it’s your lecturer, former boss, church member or even your neighbour, one introduction can open a door that countless job applications couldn’t.

And no, we’re not saying you should depend on connections alone. Build your skills, gain experience and keep applying. But if your uncle happens to know someone in a company you’ve been eyeing, abeg… don’t form independent. Use that connection.

This is not the time for pride.

6. Online Course

Every Nigerian graduate has at least one online course they’re either currently taking, halfway through, or have bookmarked with the caption, “I’ll start on Monday.”

At some point, someone will tell you, “You need to upskill.” Next thing you know, you’re signing up for free courses on Coursera, Google, Udemy, Alison or LinkedIn Learning. Whether it’s Digital Marketing, Data Analytics, Product Management or Cybersecurity, you must have one course “in view.”

Will you ever use the certificate?

Only God knows.

But it gives you hope.

And more importantly, it gives your CV another bullet point that makes it look like you’ve been busy while waiting for that one company to finally reply your application.

The best part? You haven’t even finished one course before you’ve already enrolled in another because, in this economy, you can never have too many certificates.

Because your CV must never look empty.

Parting Thoughts

Being a graduate in Nigeria isn’t for the weak.

One minute you’re celebrating your final exams, the next you’re refreshing your email, editing your CV for the hundredth time and praying that one application finally turns into an interview.

It’s not always easy, but every application, every rejection and every lesson is part of the journey.

And who knows? One day, you’ll look back at your own Nigerian Graduate Starter Pack and laugh at how far you’ve come.

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