How to write a cover letter in Nigeria

A cover letter should explain why this role, why this organisation and which evidence makes you worth interviewing. It is not a prose copy of your CV and it should not flatter an “esteemed organisation” without showing that you understand its work.

Confirm that a letter is useful

Follow the vacancy instructions first. If the employer requests a cover letter, application letter or statement, provide the named document and answer any specified questions. If the application form already contains motivation questions, do not paste the same generic paragraph into every field.

Verify the organisation and vacancy before addressing the letter. Use the employer's official careers page and application destination. For a Nigerian company, the Corporate Affairs Commission search can help confirm a legal entity, although registration alone does not prove that a particular vacancy or recruiter is genuine.

Use a simple four-part structure

Open by naming the role and where you found it. State your current professional position or relevant direction in one sentence.

In the second paragraph, connect two or three requirements to specific evidence. Choose examples that add meaning beyond the CV. Explain the action you took and the result or learning you can substantiate.

In the third paragraph, explain why this organisation or team. Refer to a current first-party fact such as its product, programme, published mission or role scope. Avoid borrowed praise that could apply to any employer.

Close by confirming your interest and availability for the next step. Thank the reader without begging for consideration or promising that you are the “perfect candidate.”

Make the evidence concrete

“I have excellent communication skills” is a claim. “I explained weekly stock variances to branch managers and turned their corrections into a standard report” gives the reader something to assess.

Select evidence that matches the vacancy rather than your most impressive achievement in isolation. For an entry-level role, a school project, internship, NYSC assignment, volunteer role or small business can show relevant judgment and follow-through.

Never copy an employer's values back as if they are your evidence. If collaboration matters, show a real situation in which you worked across people or functions. If a result belonged to a team, describe your contribution accurately.

Keep the tone direct

Use the employer's name and the recruiter's name only when you have verified them. “Dear Hiring Team” is better than guessing a title or gender. Plain professional English is stronger than ceremonial language.

Avoid personal hardship as the main argument for hiring you. It may be real, but the cover letter's job is to establish role fit. Also avoid salary, benefits and notice-period negotiation unless the employer asks at this stage.

Protect private information

Use the contact details needed to reach you. Do not add a NIN, BVN, bank account, identity-document scan or unrelated family information. A legitimate employer may request additional information later for a defined process; verify the recipient and purpose before sharing it.

If you use an AI writing tool, remove personal or confidential data before entering a prompt. Check every sentence yourself. A fluent tool can invent employer facts, experience and numbers, and you remain responsible for the submitted claim.

Submit a checked document

Keep the letter concise enough to scan and follow any requested length. Match the employer and role names exactly. Check that dates and claims agree with your CV and application form. Export to the requested format, reopen the file and test any links.

Use a clear filename, and save the exact letter with the vacancy and CV version. That record gives you the right evidence to review if the employer invites you to interview.

A good cover letter cannot rescue a poor match or guarantee a response. It can make your motivation and relevant evidence much easier to understand.