The air in the interview room is thick with anticipation. You’ve navigated the introductory pleasantries, walked the panel through your CV, and answered a series of challenging competency-based questions. You feel you’re doing well. Then, the lead interviewer leans forward, locks eyes with you, and asks the question that can make or break your chances: “So, with all the other qualified candidates we are seeing, why should we hire you?”
For many Nigerian job seekers, this question is a moment of pure panic. It feels direct, confrontational, and deeply personal. How do you answer without sounding arrogant? How do you sell yourself without seeming desperate? How do you summarize your entire value proposition in one concise, powerful response? The silence hangs heavy as you scramble for the right words. It is, without a doubt, the toughest and most important question in any Nigerian job interview.
But what if you could see this question not as a trap, but as the ultimate opportunity? It’s a golden invitation to connect all the dots, to move beyond the facts on your CV, and to deliver a compelling closing argument for your candidacy. It’s your chance to prove that you’re not just another qualified applicant, but the single best solution to their problems. This is not just about having the right answer; it’s about having the right strategy. In this masterclass, we will deconstruct this critical question and provide you with a powerful, Nigeria-specific framework to craft an answer that is confident, memorable, and ultimately, persuasive.
What Nigerian Recruiters Are Really Asking
When a hiring manager in Lagos or Abuja asks, “Why should we hire you?”, they are not just asking for a summary of your skills. The real question is a combination of several deeper inquiries that you must address in your answer. Understanding this subtext is the key to framing your response effectively.
They are actually asking:
- Do You Understand Us? Have you done your research beyond our homepage? Do you understand our company’s mission, our values, our recent successes, and the unique challenges we face operating in the Nigerian market?
- Can You Solve Our Problems? We have a specific need, a gap in our team. Can you prove that you have the exact skills and experience to fill that gap and start delivering value from day one?
- Are You More Than Your CV? We’ve seen your qualifications on paper. Now show us your drive, your passion, and your personality. Will you be a good fit for our team culture? Are you genuinely excited about this role, or are we just another option for you?
- Are You a Good Investment? Hiring is a significant investment of time and money. Are you a long-term solution? Do you have the potential to grow with us, or will you be looking for another job in six months?
Your answer must be a confident and concise response that addresses all these underlying questions. It’s a synthesis of your skills, your understanding of the company, and your future potential.
The Winning Strategy: The 3P (Past, Present, Future) Formula
The most effective way to structure your answer is to think of it as a compelling narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. A simple and powerful way to do this is with the “Past, Present, Future” formula. This framework ensures your answer is comprehensive, logical, and easy for the interviewers to follow.
1. The Present: Align with Their Needs (The Hook)
Start by showing you understand their immediate need. This demonstrates that you’ve done your research and you’re not giving a generic, rehearsed speech. You need to connect your skills directly to the requirements of the job description.
How to do it: Begin by acknowledging the key requirements of the role as you understand them. Use phrases like, “From my understanding of the job description and our conversation today, you are looking for someone who can…” or “I recognize that this role requires a strong ability to…”
Example (for a Financial Analyst role at a Nigerian bank):
“From our conversation and the job description, I understand you’re looking for a Financial Analyst who can not only perform detailed financial modeling but also navigate the complexities of CBN regulations and present data clearly to non-financial stakeholders. This is a critical need in today’s dynamic Nigerian banking sector.”
This opening immediately shows you are engaged, you understand the context, and you are focused on their needs, not just your own.
2. The Past: Provide the Proof (The Evidence)
This is the core of your answer. Once you’ve stated their need, you must provide concrete evidence from your past experiences that proves you can meet that need. This is where you connect your achievements to their problems. Do not just list your skills; illustrate them with specific, quantifiable accomplishments.
How to do it: Select one or two of your most impactful achievements that directly relate to the needs you just identified. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples. Use numbers, percentages, and Naira values to make your impact tangible.
Example (Continuing the Financial Analyst role):
“This aligns perfectly with my background. In my previous role at XYZ Bank, I was tasked with analyzing a ₦2 billion loan portfolio to identify potential risks. I developed a new predictive model in Excel that automated much of the analysis, which not only improved accuracy but also reduced reporting time by 30%. This model was instrumental in identifying two high-risk accounts early, saving the bank a potential loss of over ₦150 million. I am adept at translating this kind of complex data into clear, actionable reports for management, a skill I honed through quarterly presentations to the executive committee.”
This part of the answer provides undeniable proof. It’s specific, it’s quantified, and it directly addresses the skills they are looking for.
3. The Future: Project Your Value (The Vision)
The final part of your answer should pivot from your past accomplishments to your future contributions. Show them you are not just thinking about what you’ve done, but what you will do for them. This demonstrates forward-thinking, enthusiasm, and a commitment to their long-term success.
How to do it: Conclude by expressing your genuine enthusiasm for the company and the role. Briefly explain how you plan to apply your skills to their specific context and contribute to their future goals. This shows you see yourself as part of their team already.
Example (Concluding the Financial Analyst role):
“I am confident that I can bring this same proactive and results-oriented approach to your team. I am particularly excited about [Your Bank’s Name]’s recent focus on SME lending, and I believe my risk analysis skills can be immediately applied to help build a robust and profitable portfolio in that area. I am not just looking for another job; I am looking to build a career and contribute meaningfully to a forward-thinking institution like yours.”
This conclusion ties everything together. It shows you’re aligned with their future, you’re ambitious, and you’re a long-term investment.
Putting It All Together: More Examples for the Nigerian Context
Example for a Marketing Role at an E-commerce company in Lagos:
(Present): “My understanding is that you’re looking for a Marketing Lead who can drive customer acquisition in the highly competitive Nigerian e-commerce space, specifically by leveraging digital channels beyond traditional advertising.”
(Past): “This is exactly what I’ve been doing for the past four years. At my last company, Jumia, I noticed our paid ad spend was yielding diminishing returns. I proposed and led a new content marketing strategy focused on creating locally relevant blog posts and influencer collaborations targeting the Lagos and Abuja markets. Within 12 months, we grew our organic traffic by 250% and this channel accounted for a 40% increase in new customer sign-ups, all while reducing our customer acquisition cost by 15%.”
(Future): “I am excited by the unique niche [Company Name] occupies in the market. I believe this same data-driven, content-first approach can be applied here to not only acquire new customers but also build a loyal community around your brand. I am eager to bring my expertise to help you become the leading e-commerce platform for fashion in Nigeria.”
Example for an NGO Program Officer role in Abuja:
(Present): “It’s clear you’re searching for a Program Officer who has hands-on experience in community mobilization and can manage donor relationships and reporting requirements effectively, especially for projects in Northern Nigeria.”
(Past): “My experience aligns perfectly with these needs. While at the MacArthur Foundation, I managed a rural education project in Kaduna State. I was responsible for the entire project lifecycle, from engaging with community leaders to ensure buy-in, to managing a budget of $200,000 and submitting detailed quarterly reports to our international donors. Through consistent communication and transparent reporting, we maintained a 100% funding renewal rate for the three years I managed the project.”
(Future): “I have long admired [NGO’s Name]’s commitment to girls’ education, a cause I am deeply passionate about. I am confident that my experience in stakeholder management and my understanding of the local context can help you strengthen your programs and secure the funding needed to expand your impact. I am ready to hit the ground running and contribute to your mission.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering
- Being Too Generic: “I’m a hard worker, a great team player, and a fast learner.” These are empty clichés that mean nothing without proof.
- Sounding Arrogant: “Honestly, I’m the best candidate you’re going to find.” Confidence is good, but arrogance is a major turn-off. Let your achievements speak for themselves.
- Focusing Only on What You Want: “I need this job because it’s a great opportunity for my career growth and has a good salary.” Frame your answer around their needs, not yours.
- Badmouthing a Previous Employer: Never speak negatively about a past job or boss. It makes you look unprofessional and difficult to work with.
- Reciting Your CV: They have read your CV. Don’t just list your jobs and duties. Tell a story that highlights your impact.
Conclusion: Seize Your Moment
The question “Why should we hire you?” is not a hurdle to overcome; it is the platform you are given to shine. It is the single best opportunity you have in the entire interview process to bring your story, skills, and passion together in a single, powerful narrative. By preparing a structured, evidence-based, and forward-looking answer using the ‘Past, Present, Future’ framework, you transform from a nervous candidate into a confident consultant. You show the interviewers that you don’t just want a job—you want their job, you understand what it takes, and you are ready to deliver results from day one. Walk into your next interview prepared for this question, and when it comes, deliver your masterclass.