“Life Science Courses are useless and there are no job opportunities in Nigeria.”
The statement above is a misconception that has kept many life science students and graduates frustrated and mentally limited for a long time.
While many life science professionals are succeeding in their various fields, this mental limitation has left a few ignorant graduates uncertain of their career path and how to position themselves effectively. If only they had someone to advise and direct them on the right path.
This mental limitation- the uncertainty of life science jobs in Nigeria has led to the lack of creative minds/ problem solvers in the life science industry in Nigeria because these ignorant graduates see venturing into any business as an escape route thereby leaving a huge gap in the life science Industry.
In this blog post, you will discover the truth about life science jobs in Nigeria and how you can position yourself in the labour market.
The question on your mind now is, Are there life science jobs in Nigeria? Or are there life science job opportunities in Nigeria?
Before we answer that question. It is important to address the challenges surrounding life science job opportunities in Nigeria;
1. Ineffective regulations and inactive professional bodies.
2. The lack of facilities to foster effective practice.
3. Limited access to quality education in tertiary institutions.
4. High unemployment rate.
Despite these challenges that reduce the chances of getting a life science job in Nigeria, to answer the pending question.
YES! There are life science jobs in Nigeria.
Whether you studied Microbiology, Pharmacology, Botany, Genetics and Biotechnology, Molecular biology, biostatistics, biochemistry, and so on, the truth is there are life science jobs in Nigeria but they don’t come on a platter of gold and that’s the same case in every other profession.
Life science graduates are needed in several organisations and there is an increased demand to address Nigeria’s pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical device, environmental and agricultural challenges.
How to position yourself as a Life Science Student in Nigeria.
Instead of spending time stressing and debating about the availability of life science jobs in Nigeria;
1. Aim to graduate with good grades.
2. Leverage your Industrial Training (IT) to gain relevant experience and develop skills.
3. Volunteer in relevant organizations.
4. Attend professional conferences and join professional associations to learn and Network.
5. Leverage the internet to learn skills like research, scientific writing, data analysis, etc.
6. Build your personal identity on social media.
How to position yourself as a Life Science Graduate in Nigeria.
For Life Science Graduates looking for job opportunities;
1. Take your time to search and apply for jobs in your field by sending a cover letter and CV that aligns with the job. A generic CV would leave you job hunting for ages!
2. Purse a postgraduate degree to level up your portfolio.
3. Attend Industry Events Conferences and Network.
4. Apply for volunteering opportunities to learn and boost your portfolio.
5. Leverage social media to build your brand as a life science professional.
Where Can I Find Life Science Jobs In Nigeria?
If you are a life science graduate actively applying for life science jobs in Nigeria, depending on your field you can apply to;
1. Pharmaceutical companies like May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, etc.
2. Hospitals/Clinical Facilities where you can work as a clinical researcher.
3. Research institutes like Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), etc.
4. Manufacturing Industry like Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Coca-Cola, Nestle, and Nigerian Breweries, where you can work as the quality assurance.
5. Government organizations, like the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), NAFDAC, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, etc.
6. Diagnostic Laboratories like Synlab Nigeria, Clina-Lancet Laboratories, etc.
In conclusion, the truth about life science job opportunities in Nigeria is that there are numerous life science jobs available to graduates. With the relevant skillset and positioning, you can succeed in the life science field. Don’t be bound by negative opinions and self limitation.
ALSO READ; VITAL ADVICE ON YOUR LIFE SCIENCE CAREER JOURNEY.