Top Reasons Nigeria's Multinational Companies Prefer to Hire Expatriates

Have you ever wondered why Nigeria's Multinational Companies prefer to hire expatriates? Or Have you checked through Nigeria's Employment industries and noticed we have a very high percentage of foreign employees? Be rest assured, In this article, we have compiled a list of the Top reasons Nigeria’s Multinational Companies prefer to hire expatriates and some of the Lessons you can take from this situation to help position yourself for better employment opportunities within Nigeria’s Multinational Companies. 

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Nigeria’s Multinational Companies.

A company is considered multinational when it conducts business operations in multiple countries around the world. Several characteristics define a multinational company some of which include - Presence in multiple countries, International Investment and Global market reach, Cross-Border Trade with a diverse workforce, Global Supply Chain, Global Brand Recognition and so much more. Nigeria is home to several multinational companies across various industries. These companies have expanded their operations beyond Nigeria's borders and have a significant presence in the international market. Some of the prominent Nigerian multinational companies include:

• Dangote Group: The company was founded by Aliko Dangote, the Dangote Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Africa with interests in diversified sectors such as cement manufacturing, sugar refining, flour milling, salt processing, real estate, petroleum refining, and more. Dangote Group's operations extend beyond Nigeria to other African countries. 
• Globacom: Also known as Glo, Globacom is a major telecommunications company in Nigeria. It provides mobile, internet, and other telecommunications services in several African countries, including Ghana, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire.
• Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC): As the state-owned oil company of Nigeria, NNPC is involved in the exploration, production, and marketing of petroleum and petroleum products. It collaborates with international oil companies and has interests in other countries.
• United Bank for Africa (UBA): UBA is one of Nigeria's leading financial institutions, and it has expanded its presence to several other African countries and international financial centers.

Top Reasons Nigeria’s Multinational Companies Prefer to Hire Expatriates 

It is essential to note that the preference for hiring expatriates by Nigerian multinational companies may be influenced by several factors. However, it's important to note that specific hiring practices can differ across companies and industries, and the situation may evolve. Here are some potential reasons for the preference: 

• Specialized skills and expertise: Expatriates often bring specialized skills, knowledge, and expertise that may be scarce or unavailable locally. Multinational companies may require employees with specific technical skills or industry experience that are not readily found in the Nigerian labor market.
• International experience, overview, and cultural understanding: Multinational companies, by their nature, operate across borders and may prefer expatriates who have experience working in diverse cultural and business environments. Expatriates can bridge the gap between the company's global operations and local practices.
• Smooth alignment: Sometimes, multinational companies prefer to hire expatriates from their home country or other international locations because they are more familiar with the company's culture, values, and business practices. This can facilitate smoother integration and alignment with the company's overall vision.
• Lack of local experts: In certain specialized industries or emerging sectors, Nigeria's local talent pool might not have developed sufficiently to meet the company's requirements. So, these companies prefer to hire professionals who are experts in this field. However, hiring expatriates may be a temporary solution until the local workforce gains the necessary skills and experience.
• Corporate network and connections: Multinational companies often have an extensive global network of talent, and they may find it more convenient and economical to transfer employees from other locations within the organization 

Notable Lessons to take from the Hiring of expatriates by the Multinational Companies 

There are various lessons you can take from this practice and below are some of the lessons you can take into practice to better position yourself for employment at a Multinational Company in Nigeria. 

• Continuous learning and acquiring of skills, knowledge, or information that are essential to upgrade your expertise 
• Acquiring professional certification in related fields you are trying to pursue 
• Learning languages might be an added advantage 
• Build a strong and diverse network 
• Travel and get mentorship from other exposed professionals within the industry

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