Wednesday, 29. October 2025
After returning from studying in Germany, Noel feared his experience abroad wouldn’t be recognised by Nigerian employers. But with career coaching and reintegration support from ARRIVES, he landed an exciting new job in Lagos’ financial sector.
When Noel decided to return to Nigeria after several years abroad, he was unsure what awaited him. Yet he felt ready to come home.
He had completed a three-year vocational programme in Germany that combined classroom study with practical work. It earned him the Mittlere Reife, a qualification roughly comparable to Nigeria’s Higher National Diploma. The training was demanding and precise. It taught him how to plan, to work methodically and to advise customers with confidence.
He appreciated the structure and efficiency of life in Germany, where everything ran like clockwork. Returning to Nigeria brought a different rhythm. Life here was less about systems and more about people. Success depended on relationships, trust and the ability to read a situation quickly. It was fast, demanding and full of negotiation, requiring patience and quick thinking.
Still, he worried that his achievements abroad might not be recognised in Nigeria, where employers often prioritise traditional degrees.
“I came back with very little hope,” Noel says. “I thought my work abroad would not mean anything here.”
Noel’s German résumé was difficult for local employers to read. Its format was unfamiliar, and the names of his certificates did not match Nigerian standards. Even his years of client service seemed invisible on paper.
Through the ARRIVES project, which had begun supporting him before he left Germany, Noel was paired with a career coach who helped him bridge that gap. His coach reviewed his certificates, guided him on how to present his qualifications to Nigerian employers and practised interview questions with him.
“My career coach advised me to approach everything with an open and positive mindset,” Noel recalls. “That changed how I saw myself.”
Gradually, he began to see that his skills had real value. The ability to listen, to explain clearly and to put the customer first were strengths that could fit anywhere.
During his first week back in Lagos, Noel was referred by ARRIVES to employers in its partner network. With copies of his improved CV in hand, he visited offices, waited through queues and introduced himself with quiet determination.
His career coach guided him through job boards, online applications and interview preparation. Within weeks, his application to Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance was successful. His CV told his story in a way employers understood.
“In Germany, I advised people on which electronic products suited their needs,” he says. “Now I advise them on insurance plans that best fit their circumstances. It’s the same principle: listen first, then recommend what fits.”
Today, Noel works in Lagos, meeting clients and helping them plan for financial security. He brings to his work the same discipline and care he learned abroad, now shaped by the realities of home.
The Lagos heat, the rush and the constant movement all remind him that progress here is built on people as much as plans. He sees this stage as part of a longer journey. With ongoing coaching support, he is refining his long-term career goals.
“I want to become self-employed someday,” Noel says. “Maybe in finance, maybe in trade, but still something that lets me work with people.”
With a subtle shift in perspective, Noel has learned to blend what he gained in Germany with the cultural fluency he has always carried from Nigeria. Structure meets instinct, precision meets empathy. Somewhere in between, he has built a career that feels like his own.
If you or someone you know is considering voluntary return from Germany to Nigeria, contact ARRIVES today to learn more about how we can help.
You can also visit our return support page for step-by-step guidance on the support we offer, or explore our FAQ page for answers to frequently asked questions about ARRIVES.
ARRIVES is a project co-implemented by Social Impact, International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA) and International Trade Centre (ITC). It is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) of the European Commission and the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
