The top global development employers hiring in Nigeria
As we continue our ongoing exploration of the top global development employers in key regions worldwide, here's a look at Nigeria's most active hiring organizations.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with over 223.8 million people, also boasts one of the continent's largest economies, with $362.81 billion in gross domestic product as of 2023. Its economic growth is largely driven by the oil and gas industry, making it a major economic player in Africa. Nigeria also plays a central role in African and international politics as a member of regional organizations such as the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, wherein it often takes the lead and acts as a mediator between states in conflict. Given its importance across various sectors, the country hosts a significant presence of international organizations. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, is home to several of these international players and also serves as the headquarters of ECOWAS. Among the active employers in the country are the larger, all-encompassing global development organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, and Gates Foundation. There are also several health-focused organizations such as FHI 360, University Research Co., LLC, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and agriculture-focused organizations such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Heifer International. Out of the more than 1,880 Nigerian jobs posted on the Devex platform since last year, the top cities with the most openings are the capital city of Abuja, the fast-growing urban city of Lagos, and the conflict-affected Borno capital of Maiduguri. As we continue our ongoing exploration of the top global development employers in key countries and cities around the world, let us take a look at the most active hiring organizations in Nigeria since January 2023. Top UN and multilateral agencies hiring in Nigeria 1. UNICEF Headquarters: New York, United States Nigerian office: Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja Year founded: 1946 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 260 UNICEF works around the world to safeguard the rights and protection of the most vulnerable children and adolescents. UNICEF is currently looking for an adolescent development specialist who will support the scaling up of the U-Report program, a social monitoring tool for youth empowerment. View all current UNICEF job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from UNICEF on Devex. 2. United Nations Development Programme Headquarters: New York, United States Nigeria office: Plot 617/618, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja Year founded: 1966 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 132 UNDP is the United Nations’ leading global development network that works to help people build a better life all over the world UNDP currently has no job openings in Nigeria posted on Devex. Future openings will appear here. View all current job postings from UNDP on Devex. 3. World Bank Group Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States Nigeria office: 102 Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Garki, Abuja Year founded: 1944 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 71 The World Bank is the international financial institution that helps countries boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and build shared prosperity. The World Bank currently has no job openings in Nigeria posted on Devex. Future openings will appear here. View all current job postings from the World Bank on Devex. 4. World Health Organization Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Nigeria office: 4th floor, United Nations House, Plot 617/618, Central Area District, Abuja Year founded: 1948 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 61 WHO is the United Nations’ main authority that provides leadership on global health matters. WHO currently has no job openings in Nigeria posted on Devex. Future openings will appear here. View all current job postings from WHO on Devex. 5. Economic Community of West African States Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria Year founded: 1975 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 48 ECOWAS promotes economic integration, political stability, and security in the West African region. ECOWAS currently has no job openings in Nigeria posted on Devex. Future openings will appear here. Job seekers in Nigeria who aspire to land an opportunity with the United Nations system or other multilateral agencies may also consider openings from the Food and Agriculture Organization, UN Women, and the African Development Bank. Top INGOs hiring in Nigeria 1. Danish Refugee Council Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark Year founded: 1956 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 109 DRC is the leading Danish NGO focused on the protection of displaced individuals and communities worldwide. They are currently looking for a support services head who will help oversee and provide direction to DRC’s support areas and operations in Nigeria. View all current DRC job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from DRC on Devex. 2. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Headquarters: Ibadan, Nigeria Year founded: 1967 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 64 IITA is a research-for-development organization dedicated to improving agricultural practices and food security in Africa. The organization is currently on the search for an information, communication and technology teacher at the institute’s headquarters in Ibadan. View all current IITA job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from IITA on Devex. 3. FHI 360 Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina, United States Year founded: 1971 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 46 FHI 360 is a global organization that provides development solutions to advance equity, health, and well-being. It currently has an opening for a program assistant who will provide operational support for FHI 360’s project with the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. View all current FHI 360 job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from FHI 360 on Devex. 4. Heifer International Headquarters: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Year founded: 1944 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 42 Heifer International works to end world hunger by helping small-scale farmers and communities. View all current job postings from Heifer International on Devex. 5. Mercy Corps Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, United States Year founded: 1979 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 38 Mercy Corps is a humanitarian organization that works to provide aid and development programs for people in conflict-affected regions. Mercy Corps is currently seeking a deputy chief of party who will be responsible for implementing the USAID-funded Resilience Activity in Sokoto and Zamfara states. View all current Mercy Corps job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from Mercy Corps on Devex. Job seekers in Nigeria who may want to explore opportunities with INGOs may also look into the job openings from the Norwegian Refugee Council and Teach for All. Top private sector organizations hiring in Nigeria 1. Management Sciences for Health Headquarters: Medford, Massachusetts, United States Year founded: 1971 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 22 MSH provides strategic management support to governments and the private sector to deliver high-functioning and quality health systems around the globe. MSH is looking for a technical director for a USAID-supported health program. View all current MSH job postings in Nigeria on Devex. View all current job postings from MSH on Devex. 2. DAI Headquarters: Bethesda, Maryland, United States Nigeria office: 13b Ontario Crescent, Maitama, Abuja Year founded: 1970 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 19 DAI is an international development company that works to address social and economic development challenges through integrated solutions. View all current job postings from DAI on Devex. 3. University Research Co., LLC Headquarters: Maryland, United States Year founded: 1965 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 14 URC partners with communities to improve the quality of health services so that people can live healthier and more productive lives around the world. URC currently has no job openings in Nigeria posted on Devex. Future openings will appear here. View all current job postings from URC on Devex. 4. Gates Foundation Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States Year founded: 2000 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 14 The Gates Foundation is a philanthropic organization that focuses on global health, hunger eradication, and poverty reduction. View all current job postings from the Gates Foundation on Devex. 5. Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Year founded: 2002 Nigeria-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 12 GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation that aims to combat malnutrition and improve nutrition outcomes worldwide. Job seekers in Nigeria may also explore opportunities from other private sector employers such as RTI International and Results for Development.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with over 223.8 million people, also boasts one of the continent's largest economies, with $362.81 billion in gross domestic product as of 2023. Its economic growth is largely driven by the oil and gas industry, making it a major economic player in Africa. Nigeria also plays a central role in African and international politics as a member of regional organizations such as the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, wherein it often takes the lead and acts as a mediator between states in conflict.
Given its importance across various sectors, the country hosts a significant presence of international organizations. Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, is home to several of these international players and also serves as the headquarters of ECOWAS. Among the active employers in the country are the larger, all-encompassing global development organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, and Gates Foundation. There are also several health-focused organizations such as FHI 360, University Research Co., LLC, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition and agriculture-focused organizations such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Heifer International.
Out of the more than 1,880 Nigerian jobs posted on the Devex platform since last year, the top cities with the most openings are the capital city of Abuja, the fast-growing urban city of Lagos, and the conflict-affected Borno capital of Maiduguri.
This article is exclusively for Career Account members.
Unlock this article now with a 15-day free trial of a Devex Career Account. With a Career Account subscription you will get:
- Full access to our jobs board, including over 1,000 exclusive jobs
- Your Devex profile highlighted in recruiter search results
- Connections to recruiters and industry experts through online and live Devex events
Start my 15-day free trialAlready a user?
Printing articles to share with others is a breach of our terms and conditions and copyright policy. Please use the sharing options on the left side of the article. Devex Pro members may share up to 10 articles per month using the Pro share tool ( ).
Genevieve Gregorio is a Data Quality and Knowledge Management Associate at Devex. She is part of the Data Collections Team, focusing on overall content strategy, ensuring quality and accurate data and providing support in research and analysis. She has a bachelor's degree in International Studies from Miriam College and a master's degree in Political Economy from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
