Career guide

CV Format in Nigeria: A Simple Layout with Examples

Use a clear CV format for jobs in Nigeria. See the right section order, simple examples, and tips for graduates and people with work experience.

By MantaJobs Editorial Team

Illustration of a neatly arranged CV page, a ruler, and three section cards in green and cream.
A clear section order helps a reader find your skills and work quickly.

A CV format is the way you arrange your details on the page. A good format makes your skills, work, and school easy to find.

For many jobs in Nigeria, a simple CV is a good start. Use clear headings and short points. Put the facts that matter to the job near the top.

A simple CV section order

  1. Name and contact details
  2. Target job title
  3. Short summary
  4. Key skills
  5. Work experience
  6. Education
  7. Projects or certificates that fit the role

This order can change. A new graduate may put education before work. A person with strong work experience may put work first.

1. Name and contact details

Write your full name, phone number, email, and city. Add a LinkedIn or work sample link when it helps.

Sample: “Amina Bello | Abuja, Nigeria | +234 [your number] | [your email]”. Replace every bracket with your own details.

Keep bank details, BVN, NIN, passwords, and one-time codes off your CV. A hiring team does not need them to read about your skills.

2. Target job title and summary

Use a clear title such as Junior Accountant or Customer Support Officer. Write a short summary with your skills and best proof.

Sample: “Accounting graduate with internship experience checking receipts and making Excel reports. I helped the team keep clear weekly records. I am seeking a junior accounts role.”

3. Key skills

Choose skills you can use and explain. Read the job post to see which ones matter most.

  • For accounts: Excel, bank checks, invoices, and reports.
  • For support: clear writing, customer care, and issue tracking.
  • For design: tools you use and links to work you made.

Do not use a long list of words with no proof. Add the skills you can show in your work or projects.

4. Work experience

For each job, list the title, employer, and dates. Put your newest job first. Use two to five useful bullet points.

Sample heading: “Sales Assistant | Sample Store, Lagos | June 2024 to May 2025”. This is a made-up example, not work you should claim.

  • Recorded daily sales and checked the till at closing time.
  • Answered customer questions and helped with returns.
  • Made a stock list so the team could spot items running low.

Use facts from your own work. Add a number when you know it is right.

5. Education and training

List the course or degree, school, and year. Add useful training when it fits the job.

You can add NYSC work as experience if the tasks match the role. Follow the employer’s instructions if it asks for NYSC status or documents.

6. Projects and work samples

A project shows what you can do. Say what the task was, what you did, and what the result was.

Sample: “Made an Excel sheet to track a small shop’s stock. The owner could see which items needed to be ordered.”

Which CV layout should you choose?

If you have work experience

Put your newest job first. Give more space to work that matches the new role. Keep older or less useful work short.

If you are a new graduate

Show education, useful skills, and projects near the top. Add internships, NYSC, or volunteer work. Keep each point clear.

If you are changing careers

Put the skills that carry over near the top. Then show how you used them in past jobs. Keep your dates and job titles honest.

Layout rules that help

  • Use readable text and enough space.
  • Use the same date style throughout.
  • Use headings such as Skills, Experience, and Education.
  • Keep one clear reading order.
  • Avoid photos, charts, and skill bars unless they serve a real need.
  • Check that the PDF contains text you can select.

Some employers use software to read CVs. It is called an ATS. Our ATS-friendly CV guide explains this in more detail.

Common questions

Should my CV be one or two pages?

One page can work for a new worker. Two pages can work when you have more useful experience. Follow any length rule in the job post.

Should I add references?

Add them when the employer asks. Ask each person for permission before you share their contact details.

Should I use PDF or Word?

Use the file type the employer requests. Open the saved file before you send it.

You can build a CV on MantaJobs or use the free copy-and-fill template in our guide.