African
Explore the top and Best NGO jobs in Nigeria for youth in 2026
NGO Jobs in Nigeria, Nigeria’s youth unemployment remains a pressing issue, with millions of young people (aged 18–35) seeking meaningful opportunities. NGO jobs offer a fantastic entry point—providing hands-on experience in development, community work, health, education, youth empowerment, and humanitarian aid. These roles often come with stipends (for entry-level/internships), mentorship, skill-building, and pathways to full-time careers or international exposure.
As of late February 2026, many NGOs are actively hiring or offering programs tailored for young Nigerians, especially graduates, NYSC corps members, or those with a passion for social impact. Here’s a fresh, straightforward article and simple guide to the best NGO job options for Nigerian youth right now.
Top NGO Job & Opportunity Picks for Nigerian Youth in 2026
- SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria – Youth Development Training & Skills Programs: SOS is a leader in youth-focused opportunities, offering demand-driven training to build employability and entrepreneurship.
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- Highlights: Youth Development Training 5.0 targets 18–35-year-olds in states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Borno, Plateau, FCT, Kwara, Abia, Imo, Akwa-Ibom, and Bayelsa (50% female focus). Includes digital/ICT skills for Lagos youth (15–29 years). Leads to jobs or business starts.
- Why great for youth: Practical skills, stipends/support in some cases, real-world impact in child/youth welfare.
- Current: Digital & ICT training deadline around late February 2026—apply fast via sosvillages-nigeria.org/careers.
- UNICEF Nigeria – Entry-Level & Specialist Roles UNICEF frequently posts youth-friendly positions in education, health, child protection, and more.
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- Standouts: Education Specialist (P-3 level, Kano), Senior ICT Associate (Maiduguri), and various field roles. They prioritize diverse, motivated young professionals.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, global exposure, and professional growth. Entry via junior roles or talent pools.
- How: Check jobs.unicef.org (filter by Nigeria)—some have deadlines as early as March 6, 2026.
- Action Health Incorporated (AHI) & Onelife Initiative – Youth-Led & Empowerment Focus. These homegrown NGOs target young people’s health, SRHR, governance, and civic engagement.
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- Opportunities: Youth Skills Development Programme 2026 (AHI), volunteer/front desk/HR roles (Onelife). Great for entry-level or internships in youth advocacy.
- Why ideal: Youth-serving orgs often hire from within their programs; flexible, impact-driven work.
- International & Humanitarian NGOs (MSF, Save the Children, NRC, etc.) Big players like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Save the Children, and others post entry-level/graduate roles in health, protection, and administration.
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- Examples: Vaccinators, sterilization techs (MSF), graduate internships (NRC—some 2026 cycles).
- Perks: Stipends, field experience (Abuja, Maiduguri, Kano), potential for absorption.
- Other Strong Options
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- Africa Youth Growth Foundation: Finance/ program roles—youth-focused.
- TechnoServe, PATH, Malaria Consortium: Enterprise/youth development, health programs.
- Youth Empowerment Orgs: Renaissance Care, NextGen Leadership—volunteer-to-job paths.
Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Landing NGO Jobs in Nigeria
- Assess Your Fit: Most entry-level roles require a degree/diploma (in social sciences, public health, or development studies), completion of NYSC (or current), and a passion for impact. Prioritize youth- and empowerment-focused NGOs if you’re starting.
- Build Your Profile Update CV (highlight volunteer work, NYSC, skills like data entry, community outreach). Create a LinkedIn profile and follow NGOs. Get certifications (free on Coursera: project management, monitoring & evaluation).
- Search Daily for Openings
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- Top sites: hotnigerianjobs.com (NGO section—504+ listings as of Feb 2026), myjobmag.com (NGO jobs), indeed.com.ng (search “NGO youth Nigeria”), unjobs.org (Nigeria vacancies), ngojobsinafrica.com.
- NGO sites: unicef.org/nigeria, sosvillages-nigeria.org, onelifeinitiative.org, actionhealthinc.org.
- Aggregators: LinkedIn (search “NGO jobs Nigeria entry level”), Facebook groups like “NGO Jobs in Nigeria”.
- Apply Smart Tailor applications—mention why the NGO’s mission excites you. Include a cover letter. Apply to 10–15 roles/week. For internships/grad programs, check deadlines (many Feb–March 2026).
- Start with Entry Points Volunteer/intern first (e.g., program interns at youth NGOs). Many lead to paid roles. Network at events or via LinkedIn.
- Stay Safe & Persistent. Never pay to apply. Follow up politely. Track applications in a spreadsheet.
Conclusion on NGO Jobs in Nigeria
To conclude, NGO jobs in Nigeria are rewarding; they build skills while making a real change in communities. With hundreds of openings right now (from UNICEF to local youth orgs), 2026 is a strong year to jump in. Start applying today—your first role could be the launchpad you need. Keep pushing; impact awaits
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