Complete guide

How to find software developers in Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria
March 1, 2023
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Lagos, Nigeria is a vibrant metropolis located in West Africa. It is the largest city in the country and its economic capital. It is a major port city and is known for its nightlife, beaches, and cultural diversity. It is home to a variety of industries, including banking and finance, oil, and manufacturing, and is a major center of trade and commerce in the region. Lagos, Nigeria is also a great place to find software developers. But software engineers in Lagos, Nigeria are also hard to find and hard to hire. Experienced developers get a lot of messages from recruiters, in some cases five or ten messages per day. To find engineers in Lagos, Nigeria you have to search for engineers in different sources, reach out based on their preferred contact details, personalize your outreach and make an attractive offer. In this guide you'll learn more about the tech ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria, which methods to use to find developers and how to hire them.

Why Lagos, Nigeria is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Lagos, Nigeria

The statistics on tech talent in Lagos, Nigeria show that the city is a leading hub for tech talent in Africa. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, Lagos is the most attractive destination in Africa for tech talent and has a growing number of technology startups. The city boasts a highly skilled tech workforce, with over 70 percent of technology professionals having a university qualification. The city is also home to a large pool of experienced workers, including over 11,000 software engineers. In addition, the city has seen a rapid increase in the number of tech hubs, with over 25 tech hubs and coworking spaces now established in the city. Finally, the city has a vibrant and diverse tech scene, with a wide range of events and activities taking place.

The tech ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria

The tech ecosystem in Lagos, Nigeria is rapidly growing and becoming a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It is home to a vibrant and diverse community of startups, accelerators, venture capitalists, co-working spaces, incubators, and more. Lagos is becoming an attractive destination for tech workers, with its large population, abundance of tech talent, and growing economy. The city is home to a number of tech-focused organizations such as CcHUB (Co-Creation Hub), which is an innovation center for social and economic development, and the Lagos Angel Network, which is an angel investor network for Nigerian startups. Additionally, the city is home to the annual Lagos Technology Week, which serves as a platform for education, networking, and collaboration. Lagos is also home to many tech firms, from small startups to large international companies. This tech ecosystem is providing opportunities for tech professionals to grow their businesses, while also driving economic growth and development in Nigeria.

Best tech meetups in Lagos, Nigeria

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Lagos Android User Group
2. CodeLagos
3. Lagos Javascript User Group
4. Lagos Data Science & Analytics Community
5. Lagos Techies
6. Lagos Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
7. Lagos Cloud Computing User Group
8. Lagos Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Meetup
9. Lagos Software Developers Meetup
10. Lagos DevOps Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Lagos, Nigeria

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Utilize local job boards and online job portals: There are a number of local job boards and online job portals that can be used to source software development talent in Lagos, Nigeria. These include websites such as Jobberman, Hot Nigerian Jobs, and Naijahotjobs.

2. Network through industry events and conferences: Networking through industry events and conferences in Lagos is a great way to source software development talent. The Lagos ICT Forum, Lagos Social Media Week, and Lagos Digital Summit are some of the leading events for tech professionals in Lagos.

3. Use specialized recruitment agencies: There are a number of specialized recruitment agencies in Lagos that specialize in software development and other IT roles. These agencies can be a great way to source software development talent. Some of the leading recruitment agencies in Lagos include Hoziva Recruitment, Trimitra Consulting, and Headhunters Nigeria.

4. Leverage social media networks: Social media networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter can be leveraged to source software development talent in Lagos. Platforms such as LinkedIn Groups, Facebook Groups, and Twitter Chats are great places to connect with potential software developers.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Lagos, Nigeria is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Lagos, Nigeria

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Jobberman
3. Jiji
4. MyJobMag
5. Indeed
6. Glassdoor
7. Google for Jobs
8. Facebook
9. Twitter
10. Nigerian Job Portal

Best remote job boards to find developers in Lagos, Nigeria

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Fiverr
2. Upwork
3. Toptal
4. Hubstaff Talent
5. LinkedIn
6. Freelancer
7. FlexJobs
8. PeoplePerHour
9. Remote OK
10. Facebook Job Groups

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Lagos, Nigeria

A junior developer in Lagos, Nigeria typically makes an average salary of between NGN600K-1.2M ($1,650-$3,300 USD) per year depending on experience and location. The average salary for a junior developer in Lagos, Nigeria is NGN800K ($2,200 USD) per year. This is a salary range that is generally on the lower end of the pay scale, due to the fact that many junior developers in Nigeria are just starting out in the tech industry. Salaries can also vary significantly depending on the company and job role. For example, a junior developer working for a large multinational company may earn significantly more than a junior developer working for a smaller local company.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Lagos, Nigeria

The average salary for a senior developer in Lagos, Nigeria is NGN 5,000,000 per year. This is composed of a base salary of NGN 3,500,000, a bonus of NGN 500,000, and other benefits such as medical and transport allowances worth NGN 1,000,000. Senior developers in Lagos typically have a minimum of five years of experience in their field and must be proficient in at least one programming language, such as Java, Python, PHP, or JavaScript.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Lagos, Nigeria. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Lagos, Nigeria. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Lagos, Nigeria.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party entity that provides services to employers who wish to hire employees in Lagos, Nigeria. It is a cost-effective way for employers to hire employees from another country without having to set up an employer entity in the country or comply with its laws.

An EOR provides a range of services for employers, including:

1. Serving as the employer of record for the employee. This includes handling all payroll, taxes, benefits, and other statutory obligations for the employee.

2. Assisting employers in obtaining work permits, visas, and other necessary documents for the employee.

3. Providing local labor law advice and support.

4. Assisting employers in creating an effective onboarding process for the employee.

5. Serving as a liaison between the employer and the employee throughout the employment relationship.

By using an EOR, employers can save time, money, and resources when hiring employees in Lagos, Nigeria. It is important to research potential EORs before engaging their services to ensure they are reliable and have the necessary expertise to fulfill their responsibilities.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
Best platforms to employ developers worldwide

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