I won’t completely say this is an irony but there are numerous graduates in Nigeria, but few are interested in teaching or lecturing positions while many knowledgeable academics want to become lecturers but don’t know where to begin.
With that being said we go straight into the steps on how to become a lecturer in Nigeria, but firstly we define or throw more light on what being a lecturer is.
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What Does The Term Lecturer Mean?
A lecturer is someone who conducts courses, usually at a university, polytechnic, monotechnic, or college of higher education.
In this sense, a lecturer is a professor who teaches, does research, and directs research groups.
Steps On How To Become A Lecturer In Nigeria
The following are steps on how to become a lecturer. They include:
- Check the requirements needed.
- Obtain the Required Qualifications.
- Make a resume or a curriculum vitae.
- Obtaining employment.
- Developing a job application.
- Evaluation and interview.
Read also: How to Answer “Why Should We Hire You?”
Check The Requirements Needed
There are usually prerequisites for every employee in the Nigerian labor market, so it’s a good idea to spend some time researching and checking the requirements for becoming a lecturer in the type of institution of your choosing.
Assistant Lecturers at the university level, on the other hand, must have a Master’s degree.
After earning a Ph.D., you’ll be hired as a Lecturer, then Associate Professor, and finally Professor, depending on your research and teaching experience.
Professor Emeritus, on the other hand, is a title granted to exceptional professors after they retire.
Obtain The Required Qualifications
Make the necessary preparations to become a lecturer.
You must be a graduate with a high first-year GPA and have taken the subject you want to teach.
Also, if you do not have an education certificate, you should enroll to get one, preferably a postgraduate diploma in education.
Make A Resume Or A Curriculum Vitae
Get all of the resources you’ll need to put up a strong academic CV, which will be necessary when you apply for the job of your dreams.
When applying for lecturing or research-based positions, good academic CVs emphasize educational achievements and knowledge.
Even though there is no page restriction, it is critical to keep your CV succinct and targeted to the job’s criteria, with each part in reverse chronological order.
On the initial page, you should list your qualifications, academic achievements, research interests, and talents.
Make sure your writing style is scholarly but accessible to people who aren’t experts in your industry.
Include information on your research findings, prospective future advancements, and any financing, scholarships, or awards you’ve earned, as well as conferences you’ve attended, professional memberships you’ve obtained, and publications you’ve appeared in.
Obtaining Employment
It’s time to aim and hunt for the job of your dreams now that you’ve written a good CV! Make the most of your time by using your academic relationships to look for job possibilities.
Another option is to post job opportunities on university websites and other Nigerian job platforms such as hot Nigerian jobs, Jobberman, and justling.
Newspapers and school magazines, for example, are also reliable sources of information.
You may also have to make a conscious effort above by sending applications to universities that did not advertise for opportunities, as well as visiting schools in person to inquire about openings and meet with instructors in your field of study.
Developing A Job Application
When applying for a lectureship in Nigeria, you may be required to submit or fill out application forms, send copies of your resume (some may require up to twenty (20) typewritten copies), and write a cover letter.
If you are allowed to write one, make sure to highlight your strengths, skills, motivations, and what you can offer to increase your chances of being shortlisted.
You may also be asked to provide referees, so be prepared to provide two (2) or more written references.
A well-written cover letter and rigorous compliance with the advertisement’s instructions will also improve your chances of being called in for an interview.
Evaluation And Interview
You will be chosen for a job interview as a lecturer after a successful application.
You must begin preparing for an interview as soon as you receive an invitation; make a reasonable effort to research the institution, department, and position for which you are being interviewed.
Make a presentation if necessary, and review your past study and understanding.
This, together with an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, will help you to successfully and confidently respond to delicate inquiries concerning the roles.
Other Necessary Skills
Below are other necessary skills that would come in handy during your lecturer job.
- Public speaking
- Organizational skill
Public Speaking
A big part of a lecturer’s job entails lecturing and standing in front of students in a large lecture hall to transmit knowledge.
Even if a person is intelligent, he or she may not be able to communicate concepts and information to his or her students.
This is why, even before earning a lectureship, any aspiring lecturer must develop his or her public speaking talents and strategies.
Organizational Skill
A professor or lecturer must have strong organizational skills to keep track of students, school, and research projects.
You may find yourself wasting a significant amount of time trying to locate misplaced information, reducing your performance.
Read also: Top 6 General Aptitude Test Questions
A Few Interview Pointers
Make sure you practice and prepare for typical interview questions such as “tell us about yourself”, “why do you want this job?”, “What are your impressions about the institution”? “what have you been doing since your last job“? Etc… questions like this may be asked.
While you may not have prepared for some of the questions, proper preparation and practice can help you ace these tests.
Make a good first impression by wearing a neat corporate outfit on the day of your interview for your lecturing position.
A black suit for men and a black gown or suit for women will not go amiss.
This demonstrates your professionalism and intelligence.
A lecturing job interview is usually a panel interview with at least ten (10) interviewers, who investigate and gather information about individuals who will be on the interview panel if at all possible.
Make sure you answer every interview question with a grin and confidence and be conscious of who is asking you a question.
It may be possible that you may also be allowed to interact with employees from the departments to which you are applying, and you may be asked to provide feedback on the interview and the academic atmosphere, but in all cases, be audible and professional.
Conclusion
Lecturing job is one of those which is passion-driven, it’s a lucrative job but many don’t seem to have interest in it because it also seems stressful but if you love to transfer knowledge and get satisfaction in doing so I bet this is for you.
You can check out the requirements for becoming a lecturer and then try it out.