Nigeria is the largest developing country in West Africa among a few others. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria. It is the largest country in terms of population in Africa. The population census of 2021 estimated the population at 226 million. The largest city in terms of land is Lagos. Lagos hosts the headquarters of major fast-moving consumable goods (FMCG), oil and gas companies, IT firms and other major law and accounts firms. Lagos is currently the business hub, so the greatest job opportunities are available in Lagos.

 Abuja, Rivers, Kano and Ogun are also big ports of job opportunities. Living costs and work culture in Nigeria have significantly improved in past years. 250 ethnic groups speak 530 different languages in Nigeria. There are several foreign-owned multinational companies and foreigners working in Nigeria. 

Recent research and studies have shown great diversity in work culture and the most positive environment in Nigeria in the past few years. Diversity among the workforce triggers creativity and forces them to be innovative in their fields to complete. People from different zones and backgrounds bring various skills and techniques that eventually profit firms in different ways. Foreigners bring their native markets' knowledge and versatility in business which increase the insight and profit of the business. 

Sharing borders and letting people from different cultures and nationalities share their experiences under one roof brings out the talent resources. Where there are benefits it has challenges too. People often find themselves in awkward situations in the workplace. Every diversity in work culture brings benefits and challenges with it. Following are the challenges often experienced at the workplace.

Challenges of Work Life in Nigeria 

Here are different work life challenges in Nigeria.

Communication 

Having a giant workforce from different cultures may increase productivity, general outcomes and decision-making. However, it also brings the biggest barrier among people which is Communication. The workforce from the same place tries to stay low-key and may be less likely to let their issues be noticed and tries to solve them on their own which results in conflict. 

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Communication between alien languages causes difficulties to understand. The use of slang language and native language brings a lot of conflict among people. Sometimes things are misinterpreted due to the same words and different meanings in different cultures.

Customs and Traditions

People belonging to different cultures and traditions bring a lot of difficulties and bias-ness in decision making. Working norms and styles vary person to person, culture to culture. Customs and Traditions are always a cause of conflict even among the natives. People disliking certain cultures, races and customs bring an unpleasant environment at work.

Visa and Work Permit 

The procedures for work permits have become very difficult after the world was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Though Covid-19 created a lot of job opportunities, the lockdown and traveling restrictions brought issues for working people. Visa requirements became more complicated to filter the best candidate for a job.

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Accommodation 

Living In an unknown country is always difficult and expensive.

Not all companies in Nigeria offer accommodation with jobs. Few companies do so and then they charge heavenly for it. It's a bit difficult to find a proper, affordable and secure residence in Nigeria. People struggle and live in groups in small rooms to curb the cost of dwelling. 

Employment Laws

Employment laws are designed according to the nature of the business. People always understand professional etiquette according to the cultures and customs they are aware of. Individual working patterns usually conflict with the company law.

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Foreign Exchange Restrictions

In 2015 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) imposed restrictions on foreign exchange to control the devaluation of the Nigerian Naira. Recently the steps were taken to ease the restrictions in the favor of the country after the Covid-19 hit Nigeria and shook its economy.

Poor Hierarchy

People are mostly hired at lower levels of management. People with appropriate degrees mostly land in the labor category. Middle management also known as the backbone of hierarchy is often seen as missing among companies. There is top management or lower management in most companies.

Work From Home 

COVID-19 pandemic brought a huge change in work culture and work-life. Work from home is one of these changes. People working from home for Nigerian firms are facing issues. As people are not paid for the resources they utilize to create the workstations at home to work. The world is facing a worrisome shortfall in resources like water, electricity and food. Most new startups were forced to adopt work from a home desk to curb the expenses, but it increased the cost on the employee end. Communication is another barrier for the people working from home in different time zones of the world. The distractions at home never let you work in peace.