How to Write a Winning CV for the Nigerian Tech Market (2026 Edition)

The Nigerian tech ecosystem has evolved. With the rise of AI-integrated workflows and the increasing demand for "full-stack" talent in Fintech, EdTech, and HealthTech, a generic CV won't get you past the first round of screening. In 2026, your CV must prove two things: Technical Proficiency and AI Fluency.

    The "3-Second Rule": Recruiters at top Nigerian firms like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Moniepoint spend less than 3 seconds on your initial scan. If your "Tech Stack" isn't clear, you're out.
  

1. The Professional Summary: Your 2026 Elevator Pitch

Forget the old "objective" statement. Use a Professional Profile that highlights your years of experience, your primary tech stack, and a major achievement.

Example: "Full-Stack Developer with 4+ years of experience specializing in React.js and Node.js. Proven track record of optimizing API performance by 40% for a Lagos-based Fintech startup. Proficient in leveraging AI tools like GitHub Copilot to accelerate development cycles by 30%."

2. The "Tech Stack" Section (The Heart of Your CV)

In 2026, don't just list "JavaScript." Group your skills so the recruiter knows exactly where you fit. Use this structure:

Frontend: React.js, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, TypeScript.
Backend: Node.js, Python (Django), PostgreSQL, Redis.
Cloud & DevOps: AWS (EC2/S3), Docker, CI/CD Pipelines.
AI Tools: GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT for Unit Testing, Claude for Documentation.

3. Experience: Quantify Your Achievements

Nigerian tech recruiters are tired of seeing "Responsible for writing code." Instead, use the Action + Metric formula.

Bad: "Wrote code for a banking app."
Good: "Developed a micro-lending module that processed over ₦50M in monthly transactions with 99.9% uptime."

4. The Project Portfolio (Crucial for Tech)

If you don't have 10 years of experience, your GitHub or Behance link is your best friend. List 2-3 significant projects with:

The Problem: (e.g., "High latency in user login").
The Tech: (e.g., "Implemented JWT and Redis caching").
The Link: (Always include a live URL or a GitHub Repo).

5. Education & Certifications

While a degree from a Nigerian university (UNILAG, OAU, etc.) is great, 2026 recruiters prioritize Industry Certifications. Highlights like AWS Certified Developer, Google Data Analytics, or specialized AI certifications carry huge weight.