Common Interview Questions in Nigeria - With Model Answers
Master the most frequently asked interview questions in Nigeria with these proven answer frameworks. Adapt them to your experience and industry.
Opening Questions
1. "Tell me about yourself"
What they're really asking: Can you communicate clearly and relevantly?
Framework: Present-Past-Future (2-3 minutes)
- Present: Current role/situation and key strengths
- Past: Relevant experience and achievements
- Future: Why you're interested in this role
Sample Answer:
"I'm currently a Marketing Coordinator at XYZ Company in Lagos, where I manage social media campaigns that have increased engagement by 150% over the past year. Before this, I completed my degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos and interned at ABC Agency, where I discovered my passion for digital marketing. I'm excited about this opportunity at your company because I admire your innovative approach to brand storytelling, and I believe my data-driven marketing experience would contribute significantly to your team's goals."
2. "Why do you want to work here?"
What they're really asking: Did you research us? Are you genuinely interested?
Framework: Company + Role + Values Alignment
- Specific thing you admire about the company
- How your skills match the role
- Shared values or mission alignment
Sample Answer:
"I've been following your company's growth in the Nigerian fintech space, particularly your recent partnership with GTBank. What impresses me most is your commitment to financial inclusion - providing banking services to underserved communities aligns with my personal values. This role would allow me to combine my technical skills in software development with my passion for social impact, while learning from your experienced engineering team."
Behavioral Questions (STAR Method)
3. "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult colleague"
Use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result
Sample Answer:
- Situation: "In my previous role, I worked on a project team where one colleague consistently missed deadlines, affecting the entire project."
- Task: "As team lead, I needed to address this without causing conflict while ensuring project success."
- Action: "I scheduled a private one-on-one conversation to understand his challenges. I discovered he was overwhelmed with workload from multiple projects. Together, we created a prioritization plan and I helped redistribute some tasks within the team."
- Result: "He met all subsequent deadlines, the project was delivered on time, and we actually became good colleagues. This taught me the importance of understanding root causes before jumping to conclusions."
4. "Describe a situation where you had to adapt to change"
Sample Answer:
"When COVID-19 hit in 2020, our company suddenly shifted to remote work with only 48 hours notice. As the IT support lead, I had to quickly set up remote systems for 50+ employees. I created tutorial videos for common technical issues, set up a WhatsApp support group for urgent queries, and scheduled daily check-ins for the first week. Within two weeks, productivity was back to 95%, and we maintained remote operations successfully for over a year. This experience strengthened my problem-solving and crisis management skills."
Strengths and Weaknesses
5. "What are your strengths?"
Framework: Strength + Example + Relevance to Role
Sample Answer:
"One of my key strengths is analytical problem-solving. In my current role, I noticed our customer service response time was slow. I analyzed the data and discovered 60% of queries were repetitive. I created a FAQ knowledge base and implemented a ticketing system, reducing response time from 24 hours to 4 hours. I understand this role requires strong analytical skills for market research, which is why I'm confident I can add value."
6. "What is your greatest weakness?"
Framework: Real weakness + What you're doing to improve + Progress made
Sample Answers:
- "I used to struggle with public speaking, which is important for presenting to clients. I joined Toastmasters Lagos six months ago and have now delivered presentations to groups of 50+ people. While I still get nervous, I'm much more confident and recently presented our quarterly results to the board."
- "I tend to be a perfectionist, which sometimes slows me down. I've learned to set clear priorities and deadlines. Now I ask myself 'Is this detail critical or am I overthinking?' This has improved my productivity significantly."
Career Goals
7. "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Framework: Skills development + Career progression + Company alignment
Sample Answer:
"In five years, I see myself as a Senior Product Manager, leading major product launches and mentoring junior team members. I want to deepen my expertise in user research and data analytics while developing my leadership skills. I'm particularly interested in growing with a forward-thinking company like yours, contributing to innovative products that solve real problems for Nigerian users. Ultimately, I'd like to lead a product team that's making measurable impact."
Nigerian-Specific Questions
8. "Are you familiar with the Nigerian market/industry?"
Sample Answer (for Tech):
"Yes, I've been closely following Nigeria's tech ecosystem. I'm aware of the challenges like infrastructure limitations and payment system complexities, but also the opportunities - Nigeria has Africa's largest internet user base and a growing middle class. I understand the importance of building mobile-first solutions considering smartphone penetration, and the need for offline-capable features due to connectivity issues. I'm excited about contributing to solutions that work in the Nigerian context."
9. "How do you handle tight deadlines with infrastructure challenges (power, internet)?"
Sample Answer:
"I've developed strategies to work effectively despite these challenges. I maintain backup power solutions and use mobile data as internet backup. I download critical files for offline access and communicate with my team about potential connectivity issues. I also build buffer time into project timelines for unexpected disruptions. In my last project, despite multiple power outages, I delivered on time by working during stable periods and having contingency plans."
Salary Questions
10. "What are your salary expectations?"
Strategy: Research first, then give range
Sample Answer:
"Based on my research of similar roles in Lagos and my 3 years of experience in software engineering, I understand the market rate is between ₦350,000 and ₦600,000 monthly. Given my skills in React and Node.js, plus my experience leading projects, I'm looking for something in the ₦450,000 to ₦550,000 range. However, I'm open to discussing the complete compensation package including benefits and growth opportunities."
Closing Questions
11. "Do you have any questions for us?"
Always ask 2-3 questions! It shows interest.
Good Questions:
- "Can you describe a typical day in this role?"
- "What are the biggest challenges facing your team right now?"
- "How do you measure success in this position?"
- "What opportunities are there for professional development?"
- "What's your management style?" (for direct supervisor)
- "What's the company culture like?"
- "What are the next steps in the interview process?"
Avoid asking:
- Anything answered on their website
- About salary/benefits too early (wait for offer)
- About holidays before getting the job
Final Preparation Tips
- Practice answers out loud, not just in your head
- Prepare 5-7 stories using STAR method that demonstrate different skills
- Research the interviewer on LinkedIn if you know their name
- Bring copies of your resume, certificates, and portfolio
- Send thank-you email within 24 hours after interview
Remember: Adapt these answers to your genuine experiences. Authenticity beats memorization!