The study of language is necessary as it is the principle of communication. Linguistics is the scientific study of languages and their structure, which includes the study of grammar, syntax, and phonetics. Linguists do not just study languages but connect their observations to real-time problems and solutions.
Are you a Linguistics graduate looking for Linguistics jobs in Nigeria? If yes, this article is for you. Read to the end to get full information on Linguistics jobs and careers in Nigeria, as this article seeks to expose the employment opportunities available.
Where Can a Linguist Work in Nigeria?
As a Linguistics graduate, it’s up to you to decide the career path you wish to follow. Do you want to be employed or self-employed? Do you wish to work in a private or public institution? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself before deciding which job to apply for.
There are quite a couple of career opportunities available for Linguists in Nigeria, and some of the places where you can work as one include:
- Banks
- Secondary schools
- Tertiary institutions
- Health care facilities
- Research firms
- Government agencies
- Media houses
- Publishing firms
- Marketing agencies
- Public relations firms
- Law firms
- Telecommunication firms
As a Linguist in any of these sectors, you can find yourself working as a:
- Publishing proofreader
- Foreign languages teacher
- Marketing Executive
- Lexicographer
- Translator/Interpreter
- Technical writer
- Editorial board member
- Public relations officer
- Librarian
- Accent coach etc.
Career Opportunities for Linguists in Nigeria
Linguists are relevant human resources and have various job opportunities in diverse areas depending on the specialization and interest of the degree holder. Here are more details on career opportunities available here in Nigeria:
Work in the Educational Sector: As a Linguist in this field, you can develop academic materials, train teachers, design student assessment tests, and engage in educational research to improve teaching methodologies in language-related subjects.
Lecture in Tertiary Institutions: In tertiary institutions, you can lecture in departments such as Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, English, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.
Work as a Translator/Interpreter: Skilled translators and interpreters are often needed in diverse areas, from government agencies to hospitals and judiciary bodies. However, a high level of proficiency in the relevant language(s) is required.
Work in Publishing Firms: With a Linguistics degree, you can work in publishing firms as a technical writer or journalist. Your verbal skills would be greatly appreciated for writing, editing, and publishing positions.
Work for Government Agencies: The Federal Government often employs Linguists to work under Federal Service in agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Department of Defense, Department of Education, etc. Such positions could also be occupied at the state level.
Become an Actor/Train Actors: Linguists are also often needed to train on-screen actors in intonations and pronunciations, to help them sound like authentic speakers of a language or dialect. Sometimes, you could also even coach them on how to make deliberate mistakes to sound like a non-native speaker.
Work for an Advertising/Branding Company: Companies running active advertisements often require extensive language research to discover sounds and wordings that would be more appealing to their target market.
Teach English (ESL) as a Second Language Abroad: Peradventure you decide to have a broadened cross-language perspective of Linguistics abroad, you can easily fill up this position. However, most teaching positions require you to undergo additional specialized training and garner credentials such as TESOL (Teaching English As a Second or Other Language) to be a more effective teacher.
How Much Do Linguists Earn in Nigeria?
As a Linguist in Nigeria, your salary depends on where you work. Different employers have different salary packages. Also, private institutions often pay higher than government agencies in the public sector, but that is not always the case. The salary for Linguistics graduates in Nigeria ranges from N40,000 to N250,000 per month.
Skills Required of a Linguist in Nigeria
As a Linguist who wants to thrive in the Nigerian economy, you should possess the following necessary skills:
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficient writing skills
- Vast in the art of research
- Must be a critical thinker
- Self-management
- Must be a successful team player
- Highly analytical
- Time-management
- Ability to pay attention to even the most minute details.