PROSPECTS OF CONSULTING CAREER IN NIGERIA
Good morning. Greetings from Great Ife. I am a 400L accounting student with a passion for consulting.However, most of what I know about consulting is from the US companies. How viable is the field in Nigeria? I don’t find much internships or job opportunities advertised. Why do you think this is so and what can I do especially considering the other numerous opportunities in fields like Auditing, Investment Banking, Taxation? What will you advise me to do? If you know any practising consultant I can get connected with, I will appreciate you linking me with them.
Thank you.
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Dear Student,
First, I guess by consulting here, you mean management consulting, as there are many areas in the field of consulting – media consulting, medical consulting, tax consulting etc.
Management consulting – which is what is generally referred to when talking of consulting – is not doing badly in Nigeria. Management consulting generally involves advising governments and private corporations. It is very viable in Nigeria, and beyond our shores. It is very good field that exposes you and stimulates your intellection. However, I agree with you that consulting in Nigeria is still far from what obtains in United States. In fact, top Nigerian brands and even governments prefer foreign consulting brands like McKinsey for critical consulting jobs.
Apart from McKinsey, other global brands in consulting include Bain, Boston Consulting Group, Oliver Wyman, Booz & Co, A.T Kearney, Accenture and Monitor. L.E.K. These are the biggest global brands in consulting and they’re largely American.
Accenture is however actively present in Nigeria and I know they have internship avenues. Most times, they don’t advertise the internship openings, they partner with schools to offer internship slots, usually based on outcome of rigorous competitive tasks (like essay/proposal writing).
Internship culture is still underdeveloped in Nigeria and I think you should focus on competing your studies and, after your degree, seeking permanent position with them.
Accenture advertises opening form time to time, almost on yearly basis. Be on the look-out. It also does not mean as a Nigerian, you cannot get jobs in even those American and other foreign consultancies. You actually can. But they’re extremely competitive and rigorous. One of our writers on JarusHub underwent McKinsey recruitment with just his Nigerian degree. His story published here may be helpful.
PwC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and KPMG, which are very active in Nigeria, also have management consulting/advisory arms, which you should also explore after your graduation.
Keep reading. Keep updating yourself. Frequent sites like MANAGEMENT CONSULTED, VAULT, VICTOR CHENG’S CASE INTERVIEW and JarusHub articles on consulting here, and I know when the opportunity comes, you wont be caught off-guard.
As for linking you up with a Nigerian consultant, contact these gentlemen and tell them you’re from Jarus and see if they have the time to mentor you: Tope Fasua and David Adeoye.
I wish you all the best.
Jarus
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please i need ur advice, my waec is:
Geography=c6
Civic education=c5
English=c6
Maths=c4
Agric=d7
Biology=cancelled
Chemistry=b3
Physics=d7
Animal husbandry=c5..
Please which course am i advise to study?