Job Discussion Forums

Joleen · Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and am looking for some info on Abuja, Nigeria. I am currently on my way to Saudi Arabia but am very interested in a position in Nigeria for next year possibly more long term.
I have a BEd and will be working on my Masters TESOL hopefully by next year. I have a couple of years of ESL teaching and some regular classroom experience. I would really like to work in an international school setting and would like to know if anyone can give me some advice on where to start looking or good schools to contact. I know there are a lot of scams coming out of Nigeria but I think there are some excellent opportunities as well. Is anyone working there now who can give me some advise, information on salary and cost of living or potential savings?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks so much

Joleen · Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

No one has any info on Nigeria? How about university or private school jobs? Any info on Lagos as opposed to Abuja???
Anything at all????

Sad

Global Hobo · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

What is an international school "setting"? I know if you want to work in international schools in Nigeria, you'll first have to go home and get a PGCE. I haven't worked in Nigeria but I know they all speak English already so the market will probably be small and locally supplied.

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

English is an official language of Nigeria but the fact is that there are many languages spoken here.
The English is almost 'pidgin' and is heavily accented.

Check out the the Regents School and Famaks International. They are both true 'Internationals' in terms of curriculum and students. They have student nationalities from China, India, Korea, Thai, France, Germany, etc.
They are both UK curriculum schools and sometimes have requirements for ESL subject teachers.

Famaks International is the newest kid on the block and has all the latest technology........SMART Boards, C.A.L.L labs, cross-curricular within ICT etc.

Salary ranges for both are around 16-18k UK pounds per annum and are tax-free. Lots of benefits, free accomodation, utilities, BUPA etc.

I know that Famaks even offer free cars and drivers to their ex-pat staff.

Abuja is a small city and a lot safer than Lagos.
(I have worked in both)
Large Army and Police presence due to the fact it is the countries capital city. Traffic laws are strictly enforced and can attract large fines if you break them.

Cost of living is relative of course. Food is a lot cheaper in the local markets. Plenty of 'malls' in Abuja that have lots of imported foods.

Malls are more expensive of course. I had a very good life on about 250-300 UK pounds per month for all my food and entertainment.

I recently finished 4 years here and managed to bank 60k. With bank interest and bonuses over the 4 years that became 67k. Moved back to Thailand and bought a lovely house with the missus. I could never have done that with 4 years in the UK.

Global Hobo · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

Global Hobo · Joined: 27 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

Also, how secure is Abuja; petty crime, kidnappings etc?

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Hi.

Abuja is full of ex-pats. For example, the UK High Commission has 500 employees there. About 75% work in the Visa section. USA similarly, plus all the oil-execs etc etc etc. The locals are very used to seeing foreigners.

Like most guys anywhere, they will always look at the pretty females, foreign or local.

I have yet to hear a 'cat-call' over here. Its perhaps not in their 'culture'.

Petty crime does exist, bit no more so than other other cities I have lived in. Kidnappings tend to occur in the Delta region and other parts of Nigeria, particularly the East. It is usually locals kidnapping locals though and always for the money.

Never heard of any kidnappings here in Abuja.

Abuja has a population of about 1 million and land is VERY expensive.
Therefore the socio-economic is of a high-standing. Middle -ranking cicil servants, Government, Embassy staff etc.

My wife is Thai and she drives her car and goes to the local markets on her own. I would never have let her do that in Lagos though.

In fact, 2 years in Abuja and I would be hard pressed to think of a single incident that concerned our safety.

Its not that we did particularly 'well' here. We made a decision to come here and save the money, plus it was a new school venture and added 'brownie points' to my CV. We achieved both of the objectives.

The experience was for sure worth-while. It helped me to secure a position with BAE (Saudi) and that is our next money-saving venture.

We made a lot of local friends here. For the most part, Nigerians that we met and worked with were warm and friendly with a wicked sense of humour, once you get to know them.

It's not easy I admit. Social life is a bit limited. However, we did get the opportunities to take pretty cheap flights to Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and had some wonderful holidays.

For sure we will never regret the time we spent in Nigeria.

Joleen · Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks for the great info. Is there are particular recruiting agency that does much of the hiring in Abuja or should schools be contacted directly?

NigerianWhisper · Joined: 21 Mar 2009 Posts: 176

Contact the schools directly.

The big ones all have websites.

Best of luck.