Nigeria employment trends

Whilst it is unlikely to see a return to the boom times of recruitment in early 2009, some analysts are predicting that 2011 will see the second highest average oil price following the 2008 peaks – but how will recruitment trends fair compared to the last time the price of crude approached and exceeded US$90 a barrel?

At this stage whilst we do not expect to see a significant uplift in the number of vacancies available in Nigeria, as seen in the first half of 2009, although we are optimistic that the encouraging landscape for the industry as a whole in 2010 will continue.

Vacancies across Nigeria have not matched the global increase seen for the industry, remaining fairly stable across the last 18 months following the huge increase in available jobs in the first six months of 2009.

Engineering opportunities remain the most sought after type of candidates, accounting for 44 per cent of oil and gas vacancies. Other sectors seeing significant improvement in 2010 include Administration, Marine and Trades. In contrast, roles in Drilling and Geophysics have seen a significant fall in 2010, following strong demand for recruitment throughout 2008 and 2009.

The most in demand roles include Electrical, Manufacturing, Mechanical, Pipeline and Structural engineers all showing over 50 per cent increases in vacancies comparing 2010 to 2008.

Workforce expectations*

Despite issues surrounding internal political changes in Nigeria with the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill and an imminent Presidential Election, there is growing pressure to see qualified expats replaced with qualified Nigerian nationals which will have a significant effect on operators in the industry.

Working expectations in the region have become more cautious, with 60 per cent of people surveyed across Africa expecting a fall in recruitment in the first six months of 2011, while the majority of people also expect to see salaries remain the same across this period.

* data provided by Air Energi