Software Developer in Nigeria: How to Start Your Career

In this digital age, software engineers are in great demand. To create new software and upgrade old programs, software developers employ their programming expertise. A job as a software developer may be a good fit for you if you have a creative mind and enjoy solving problems.

Every company, no matter how big or little, aspires to have its own website, mobile application, email system, and other digital marketing tools. Software developers create and keep up with all these things. The IT sector in Lagos now has the largest demand for employment in the software development sector. This may be because they are in considerably more demand than any other well-paying IT positions in Nigeria. Due to the lack of skilled software engineers in the nation, Lagos firms are willing to offer hefty rates. Therefore, unless new businesses are ready to offer a competitive salary, positional opportunities for software engineers do not fill up fast when they are posted on job portals. As a result, it’s now a seller’s market in this sector of the economy.

There is a lot to learn, therefore being a software developer is not a simple endeavor. There are already many skilled software developers in Nigeria that have a track record of success. You can do it if they can. A great career path is becoming a software developer, and if you are serious about doing so in Nigeria, here are some recommendations to aid you along the way. Different sorts of software development jobs are consistently available on jobs.delon.ng, the nation’s top job board that has a strong emphasis on IT jobs. This demonstrates that there is a growing demand that is currently not being met by an acceptable supply.

What does a software developer do?

Software developers oversee managing, operating, and ensuring the proper operation of complete software applications. You couldn’t utilize mobile applications, play video games, or conduct computer-based research for your coursework without them. They share their knowledge and expertise with technicians, engineers, and technologists while also offering aid and support.

They play a significant role in supporting cyber operations that gather and analyze data information, offer patient customer service, and much more. The entire technical world would come to an end without them.

Computer programs of all stripes are the result of the inventive work of software developers. To create everything from operating systems to apps to video games, they design and write the code.

In this position, you can be involved in all phases of software development, from determining what consumers need and how they’ll use the software to releasing a finished product. Though many developers do all the coding themselves, you might occasionally work with computer programmers.

Day-to-day tasks might include:

• Examining software users’ wants
• Creating, testing, and designing software to satisfy user requirements
• Constructing models and diagrams that depict the necessary code for software development
• Maintaining and testing software to keep it functional
• Recording the procedure to supply the data required for upgrades and maintenance

Software developer vs. software engineer: What’s the difference?

Engineers and software developers carry out many of the same tasks and share many of the same abilities. Sometimes, the two names are used synonymously. But the two roles often have very minor distinctions. Compared to engineers, software developers frequently operate on a smaller scale and specialize in certain fields, such as the internet of things or mobile applications. On the other hand, software engineers use a broad perspective that may encompass testing, scalability, and data analytics in addition to programming.

Tips for getting a job as a software developer

1. Study Computer Science or Related Course

Most people follow one of the more common routes to a career in software engineering. Because it enables students to study the theoretical side of computer scientific disciplines and helps them comprehend the fundamentals of software engineering, many people choose bachelor’s degree programs in computer science.

Algorithms, computer networks, data structures, web technologies, mathematics, database systems, and programming languages are just a few of the courses you will take while studying computer science. These programs help learners fully comprehend software engineering and contemporary software development techniques. Many companies stipulate a four-year computer science bachelor’s degree program as a condition for recruiting software developers. Consequently, earning a degree is a wise decision. You shouldn’t, however, rely only on it. You won’t get any opportunity to work on real-world projects or gain any practical experience in any of those fields. If you haven’t had any real-world experience, you can’t tell someone that you’ve enrolled in a course to learn how to be a software engineer.

2. Learn Programming Languages

In the same way that individuals communicate with one another via languages, you must tell your computer what to do in a language that these computers can comprehend. That is a software developer’s main responsibility. Without a deep grasp of the programming language, you are using to develop software, having a degree or being a graduate is pointless. Now that you’re in command of your own education, choose a programming language that best meets your requirements and aims and invest the necessary time in learning it. Among other languages, you may study Ruby, Java, Python, C++, C#, and Javascript. Learning three or four languages at once is not required for a beginner. Start by being fluent in one language. Once you’ve had some experience, you can give another language a shot. After the first, moving on to the second language is simpler. Get familiar with the syntax of the language and practice writing programs in it. Learn about the libraries, rules, perks, projects that may be built, and other unique ideas associated with the language you choose.

3. Figure out your end goals

What place would you like to work? What do you hope to achieve in your career? Software publishers, financial institutions, insurance providers, and enterprises that create computer systems are just a few of the industries that employ software developers.

You could work in the medical field, engineering, manufacturing, or another industry. While some software developers take advantage of opportunities to work for an agency or remotely, the majority of them work in traditional offices. You can successfully manage your path forward if you have a clear understanding of what you want from your employment.

4. Become Conversant with Algorithms and Data Structures

A data structure is a way to organize data, whereas an algorithm is a method for addressing a specific issue step-by-step. These two methods help programmers solve issues more quickly and with less memory use. A software engineer is expected to offer the ideal solution for a specific issue while taking into consideration memory and time restrictions. As a result, you must be able to decide which technique and data format are appropriate for a certain circumstance.

5. Study Mathematics

Courses that are related to computer science typically include a lot of math. Additionally, mathematics is the source of knowledge for data structures and algorithms. Although it’s not required, having a solid foundation in mathematics will help you understand and develop fundamentals.

6. Start practicing in your developer niche

Regardless of whether you choose a self-taught path or formal schooling, you must set aside time to practice developing and using programming languages. It’s essential to grasp the development process completely because doing so will make you a more successful, effective, and precise professional.

If you’re passionate about app design, you can decide to produce mobile apps to hone your abilities. You could choose to become a DevOps engineer if you’d prefer to work on the servers and computer systems. Your abilities as a software developer can be used in a wide variety of contexts.

7. Make a portfolio of your software development work

As you develop applications and practice programming, gather your work into a portfolio. Possessing a portfolio of your finest work shows prospective employers that you can put the talents listed on your resume to use. Your portfolio should at the very least include:

• Short biography
• Contact information
• Relevant skills
• Link to your resume
• Accolades or awards
• Professional and personal projects

Curate your portfolio as you acquire experience to highlight just your greatest work. Include projects where you have utilized technologies relevant to the positions you are looking for.

8. Develop your technical skills

Experience dealing with additional tools that software engineers frequently use is beneficial in addition to having knowledge of programming languages. Examples comprise:

• SQL, a language used to power database engines.
• Tools like Git and Mercurial SCM, two source control systems often used in software development.
• Integrated development environments, which enable the writing, modification, running, and debugging of development code.

9. Build your non-technical skills

You’ll have to give instructions to others when working on projects as a software engineer. Additionally, you’ll be required to clarify procedures and respond to inquiries from clients and superiors. Developers need to be creative, meticulous and have good problem-solving abilities in addition to having excellent communication skills.

10. Certify your skills

If you don’t have a lot of job experience, certifications might assist potential employers to verify your talents and see your level of competency. Also consider certificates in cloud computing, data management, or data security.

Reasons To Be a Software Developer?

The demand for software developers is growing, and for many people, an IT career is now a viable and acceptable option. Check out the top reasons to pursue a career in software development.

1. High market demand

The demand for software engineers is rapidly rising as the world becomes more digital and technologically reliant each day. Our daily lives now heavily rely on computers and digital technology, and this area is continuously growing. Technology is heavily used in new and developing businesses, and the use of mobile technology is growing quickly.

The best aspect is that software engineers are needed in practically every business, giving you the freedom to choose your preferred field of employment. There are countless industries in which you can pursue a profession, including technology, healthcare, automobile manufacturing, renewable energy, remote sensing, finance, aviation, and the military.

2. Future scope

Artificial intelligence, robots, enterprise solutions with custom programming languages for data processing, statistical and analytical analysis, operating and functioning, cyber security, and a long list of other technologies are anticipated to be a part of our future. Software developers will be needed for several upcoming, large-scale space missions. This will create chances not only for software developers but also for the millions of engineers who will once again rely on them for technical assistance, support, and integration of creative ideas and solutions.

3. Career options

As a software developer, you have a wide range of employment opportunities at your disposal. For instance, you can choose to work for a bigger corporation or as an independent contractor. You can select a work environment and lifestyle that suit your needs thanks to this choice.

Additionally, you can work in a variety of businesses, and software development often offers opportunities for promotion. Software developers can rise into senior programming positions after beginning as entry-level programmers. Then, rather than coding all day, programmers can take on management roles where they oversee the development process.

4. Remote work

Candidates for jobs place more and more value on the possibility to work from home. Software engineers frequently have the option to work remotely from home because practically all of their work is completed on a computer.

However, software developers can frequently work from other places like shared workplaces, motels, or coffee shops as long as they can interact with their team. Due to its flexibility, software development can be a fantastic career choice for those who enjoy frequent travel.

5. Working collaboratively and individually

Working as a software developer might give you the chance to work both independently and in a team. When creating software, the larger undertaking is frequently divided into smaller parts, with developers handling each task separately.

As a result, software developers are able to work independently for a while before coming together with the team to go over how their contribution fits into the bigger picture. As a software engineer, you’ll have time to work both independently and collaboratively.

6. Always learning

Being a software engineer requires you to continue your education, which is crucial. There are constantly new tools to learn and improved techniques to create software. In order to provide the finest possible solutions, software developers need to invest a lot of effort in staying current with the most recent news and advances in their field.

Software development can be a fulfilling career if you enjoy learning new things. You’ll pick up new programming languages, creative uses for dated ones, and development-simplification tools. Additionally, you’ll be able to pick up fresh knowledge about the field you work in.

7. Problem-solving

Software development is a good career to take into consideration if you enjoy finding solutions to challenging challenges. Software engineers might, for instance, try to determine how a piece of software might carry out a specific task for a client or how to design their code more effectively. Developing requires you to think creatively and in novel methods in order to solve problems for your employer or client.

8. Creative outlet

A key creative expression is software development. In this capacity, a computer allows you to construct almost any kind of software product you desire. Additionally, you’ll need to use your imagination to solve issues through coding. There is still a lot of creativity involved even though you’ll spend a lot of time writing technical code, especially if you get to work on your own projects.