The Complete Guide to Project Management in Nigeria 2024

• David Njoroge
• 31 Jul, 2023
• 0 Comments
• 6 Mins Read

Project management is catching on as a profession in many parts of the world. As a matter of fact, this occupation is attracting people irrespective of their tertiary education. Whether you are formally trained in technical sciences or not, you can land a role in project management. Furthermore, skills needed for a project manager translate well across a number of industries.

Both commercial entities and non-profit organizations in Nigeria are undoubtedly in pursuit of project managers. Certainly, the success of these businesses and charitable organizations is largely dependent on managing projects effectively. As a result, people in Nigeria who apply project management best practices are very important.

Project Management Course in Nigeria

The steps to becoming a project manager in Nigeria starts with enrolling in a course and earning a certification in project management. Such a course is taught at several institutions of higher learning that are accredited by the government of Nigeria. A different option is earning a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification which can open the way to a job in that field.

How to Earn a Project Management Degree in Nigeria?

Pursuing a degree in project management in Nigeria is doable. The undergraduate programme carries a different name depending on the university. But the objective to produce graduates with knowledge and skills in project planning, design and implementation is the same.

Here are the universities offering degree in project management in Nigeria:

1. Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology
2. Federal University of Technology, Owerri
3. Federal University of Technology Minna
4. The Federal University of Technology, Akure

Admission Requirements

Here is what is needed during application for a bachelor’s in project management in Nigeria:

• Have a SSCE or GCE certificate from West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
• Pass the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with at least five O’ level credit passes in English, Mathematics and any of the three of Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Economics and Biology/Agricultural Science in not more than two sittings.
• OR at least two A’ level passes with a minimum of grade C in any of the three in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Economics and Biology/Agricultural Science
• OR a National Diploma or a Higher National Diploma in a relevant field from a recognized institution.
• OR a first degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution

Course Duration and Structure

The Bachelor of Project Management programme in Nigeria takes four years for full time students. But it can take longer for part-time students. With a view to cater to needs of different students, these universities have a flexible schedule.

Here are the common courses in a project management degree in Nigeria:

1. Introduction to Project Management
2. Quality Management
3. Risk Management
4. Cost Management
5. Human resource management

Course Fees in Nigeria

Tuition fees for a bachelor of project management in Nigeria per academic year is between 100,000 Nigerian Naira and 300,000 Nigerian Naira. This fee covers the cost of registration, tuition and examinations. Additional costs are meant for students to access university resources like library and internet.

Project Management Short Course in Nigeria

There are universities and colleges in Nigeria which give lectures in project management in form of a short course. The course takes either a few weeks or a few months. Students gain practical skills in class that they can use in the real world.

Which is the Highest Level of Education in Project Management in Nigeria?

A master’s degree in project management is generally available in Nigeria. This type of degree helps students gain research experience and more specialized knowledge beyond what an undergraduate degree offers. However, a doctor of philosophy (PhD) in project management is the highest academic degree that can be awarded. There are a few universities in the country that offer this kind of graduate degree.

Which Certification is Best for Project Management in Nigeria?

Typically, there are some employers who prefer to hire project managers who hold PMI certifications. This is because PMI is the primary organization offering professional certificates in project management. Many project managers pursue either a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or even both.

How to Become a Certified Project Manager in Nigeria

PMI has a branch in Kenya called PMI Nigeria chapter. Therefore, an aspiring project manager in Nigeria is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) by PMI Nigeria. It’s the most widely recognized certification in the world.

Here is what it takes to qualify for a PMP certification in Nigeria:

• For those who have completed secondary school (high school) education, need to put in 60 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• For those who have completed a four-year degree, need to put in 36 months of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management training or have CAPM certification
• Prepare for the PMP exam by studying. The cost of the classes depends on the institution and the format. A student can be trained either in person or online. There are several authorized training centers alongside accredited institutions in Nigeria that offer PMP certification classes.
• Clearly, with a CAPM certification, a student does not need to fulfil the 35-hour education requirement.
• The next step is paying the PMP exam fee. For a PMI member, it costs US405 Dollars (about 300,000 Nigerian Naira) while for a non-PMI member it costs US555 Dollars (about 430,000 Nigerian Naira).
• After paying, a student can schedule their exam. The exam can be taken online or at a testing center in Nigeria accredited by Pearson Vue. In case a student fails, they can retake the exam up to three times in one year.
• A student who passes the exam becomes PMP certified. A certified project manager in Nigeria must keep their certification active by completing certain stages of continuing education.

Project Management Careers in Nigeria

Project manager is among the jobs resulting from studying project management in Nigeria. Since their work is to oversee specific projects, they can be found in every type of organization. They use their skills to create products and services for a variety of industries. The sectors where project managers work include:

• Construction and real estate
• Engineering
• Information Technology (IT)
• Manufacturing
• Hospitality
• Transportation and logistics
• Financial services
• Advertising and marketing
• Retail
• Non-profit

Project Manager Salary in Nigeria

Project managers in Nigeria earn an estimated salary that ranges from 200,000 Nigerian Naira to 500,000 Nigerian Naira a year. Besides, the salary will be different based on level of experience from entry level to mid-level to senior level. The other factor that determines a project manager’s salary is the size of the project and the industry.

Assistant Project Manager Salary in Nigeria

Assistant project managers in Nigeria earn an estimated salary that ranges from 100,000 Nigerian Naira to 200,000 Nigerian Naira. Since they help the project manager in running a project, their salary is less than their immediate supervisor. Project size, nature of the industry and level of experience are also considered in setting their pay.

Job Outlook for Project Managers in Nigeria

There is a big demand in Nigeria for project managers. As businesses in the country increase the number of projects they are initiating, the higher the need for professionals who can execute them successfully. Organizations in Nigeria are constantly looking for ways to improve their project management practices.