How Lucrative Is Software Engineering in Nigeria

Here in this article, we are going to bring to you information on how lucrative Is software engineering in Nigeria. We hope you find this interesting.

The need for particular software in Nigeria has been on the rise yearly. There are many things that make use of software in Nigeria ranging from our phones to our systems. But it is important to know what we are talking about, which prompts me to ask and define what Software Engineering is?

What is Software Engineering?

Software Engineering is the study of engineering, design, development and maintenance of any software. Software Engineering has to do with the caring for the needs of end users of applications.

There are lots of soft ware users and software in use in the country. There is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Opera Mini, Google Chrome, Gmail app and all the rest of them. The creators of these apps and software are Software Engineers.

Read Also: Software Developer Salary in Nigeria

Who is a Software Engineer?

Simply said you can say that a Software Engineer is the developer of various software which are in use in this computer age which makes technology easier.

But put in a professional definition, a Software Engineer is someone who applies the principles of Software Engineering to the design, development and maintenance of software, though in most cases Software engineers prefer to call themselves programmers or software developers. But the name has evolved and to give it a better look for a career, they are called Software Engineers.

Nigeria is still growing in the technology world as at recent years due to the demand of software by various users and also the need of software engineers by various tech companies and firms, so the need for software engineers has risen by the years and made this profession a very lucrative one.

We know that most professions are being overlooked here in Nigeria but if only a few are able to understand the lucrative nature of a professional, they stand to benefit from it. As at now, Software engineers in Nigeria are limited, so the earlier you get into the profession, the better.

You may want to know how you can be a Software Engineer; here is what you may need:

How to become a Software Engineer:

1. Earn a Degree in Computer Science

Yes of course, you have to earn a degree in computer science. Many of us have looked at being a computer science graduate as a job of someone who wants to repair systems and maybe own a computer centre or teach in a computer school.

It is way more than that. Getting a Bachelor’s degree in computer science will help you build your foundation to being a Software Engineer because some basics of the computer will be learnt.

There are some good schools which can help you be an outstanding Computer science graduate like the University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Covenant University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology Minna.

Although you must not necessarily be a graduate before you can be a software engineer, getting a degree in Computer science gives you an edge over one without a degree.

2. Learn Programming

There are some programming languages you have to be familiar with as a software engineer. It is not only focused on coding. Programming languages like Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, Ruby, C# etc.

You must not necessarily learn all the languages of programming but you should have knowledge of most of them. No one language is better or easier than the other, you just have to learn and understand the one you can.

3. Improve on your studies

Every day, new technologies come up, and if you are not fully updated you will be missing out, so go online, learn new skills in programming and details about software.

4. Practice

They say practice makes perfect, for you to be good at what you do and for you to get a good grip of your profession, you need to practice constantly. Try making software of your own with the languages you know. It would help you understand your capabilities.

5. Apply for an Internship

Try to get a position as an intern with a software development company or any organization that has software engineers working with them.

This will help you gain the experience you need and gather the much-required knowledge and experience which will convince an employer to consider you.

6. Get a Job as a Software Engineer

After all said and done, you have the degree, experience and you have practised your skill, next thing you have to do is to get yourself a job.

You can check on career sites and meet manufacturers, banks, tech companies etc. It is not easy getting a job though but there is no harm in trying, you just need to put in more effort to showcase your skills to them and if they don’t notice, you could advertise yourself online and make people in foreign countries know your skill and you could be remotely employed and earn your money in foreign currency.

How Lucrative is Software Engineering in Nigeria

It is not easy to say it is very lucrative but nevertheless, it is lucrative in the sense that there are a few companies or organizations ready to employ a software engineer.

Due to the job not being as popular as other major jobs because it just gained relevance in the country, but if you are able to land a job as a software engineer, you are surely going to be paid handsomely.

Places like Banks especially pay very well to have software engineers who understand some of the programming languages.

In Nigeria, a Software Engineer earns between 1.2million to 3million naira annually that is an average of 150,000-250,000 monthly, which is very good pay.

This is an entry-level salary for a software engineer and when you grow by the years you are sure to be earning 500,000 naira monthly if you must have stayed above 10-15 years working with an organization.

Not many organizations pay some workers this amount for an entry level. Some pay between 70,000-100,000 naira for an entry-level worker.

But if you secure a job with a bank, you will earn more than that as an entry level. Banks pay around 250-300,000 naira for a new software engineer.

Now you know how lucrative it is, I hope you aspire to be one soonest.