Common Interview Questions in Nigeria (and How to Answer)

The interview is won before it starts

Getting the interview call in Nigeria is the hard part — hundreds applied, a handful got through. Now the job is yours to lose, and most candidates lose it on questions they could have prepared for, because Nigerian interviews are remarkably consistent.

Two ground rules before the questions: arrive early — Lagos traffic is not an excuse the panel will accept, so plan to be at the gate 30 minutes ahead — and dress formally even if the company looks casual. Nigerian interview culture reads appearance as respect.

The questions you will almost certainly face

"Tell me about yourself"

Not your village, family or life story. Sixty seconds: your qualification, your relevant experience, why you're here. "I hold an OND in Business Administration, completed NYSC in 2025, and spent two years managing daily sales and stock at a retail shop in Surulere. I'm now looking to grow in a structured company like this one."

"Why do you want to work here?"

The test of whether you researched the company. One specific fact beats flattery: "I've followed how you expanded from Ikeja to three branches — I want to be part of a company that's growing" beats "because it is a reputable organization".

"What about your NYSC?"

For graduates this comes early. Answer with the certificate status, plainly: completed (year and posting), serving (completion date), or exempted. Hesitation here reads as evasion.

"Why is there a gap in your CV?" / "What were you doing before?"

Nigerian interviewers respect hustle when you own it: "I ran a POS point in my area — daily transactions, cash handling, customer service. I'm now looking for a formal role where I can apply that discipline." Never apologize for informal work; present it as work.

"What is your salary expectation?"

The trap question. Ask first if you can: "May I ask the budgeted range for this role?" If pressed, give a researched range for the role and city, then add flexibility: "Between ₦80,000 and ₦120,000 depending on the full package — but I'm open to discussing it." A wild number in either direction ends interviews.

"Do you have any questions for us?"

Never say no. Two safe ones: "What does success look like in this role in the first three months?" and "What are the next steps in the process?"

Questions you should be ready for, even if unfair

Some Nigerian interviews still ask about marital status, religion, or state of origin. You can't control the question, only the composure of your answer — keep it brief and steer back to the job: "I'm married, and fully available for the role's hours." If a "recruiter" asks for money at any stage, the interview was a scam — walk away.

After the interview

A short thank-you message the same day (email or WhatsApp, whichever channel they used) keeps you visible: "Thank you for your time today. I remain very interested in the role." Then one polite follow-up after a week — not daily calls.

Prepare the paper side too

Panels often ask for your documents at the interview: bring photocopies of your certificates and CV, never originals to leave behind. And make sure the CV they're holding is strong — our Nigerian CV guide and application letter guide cover both documents, and Monta meu currículo? builds the CV free on your phone.