The best thing that can happen to a Nigerian graduate is to get a well-paying job after graduation and NYSC. This desire has become the bases for university education in Nigeria coupled with titles such as Dr., Eng., Pharm., and Arch. as well as the respect and social benefits.
Consequently, many Nigerian students usually go for the “so-called” lucrative and “professional” courses in their choice of course of study while seeking admission into the university.
In all this, Biochemistry has gradually become a “useless” course to many Nigerians because of the frustration of biochemistry graduates in the job market. While graduate unemployment is not peculiar to biochemistry graduates, biochemistry is arguably the most difficult course and for an intelligent Nigerian graduate who passed through the rigor of understanding the underlying principles of life processes at molecular level and its applications in Industry, Research, Agriculture, Medicine, Law and Crime to remain unemployed is beyond frustration.
Fortunately, just like every other discipline in Nigeria, money and quick employment should not form part of the reasons to study biochemistry. With passion and dedication, every intelligent biochemist that I know made it eventually.
Let us look at organizations in Nigeria that employ Biochemistry graduates and the entry-level salary
i. Hospital: Recently Biochemistry graduates are employed as Scientific officers in hospital and the salary range is ₦105,000 - ₦120,000
ii. Research Institutes: With B.Sc Biochemistry, you start as Research Officer II and the entry level salary is ₦110-₦120,000
iii. Beverage Industries: Recently, you may need a Master’s degree to join as a Manager in the beverage industry. Biochemistry graduates are employed as brewers in their Supply Chain Division. The entry-level salary is ₦ 385,000-₦500,000 with other benefits. However, the selection process is very competitive and the training is very intensive.
iv. Government Agencies: NAFDAC, SON, NDLEA, DPR, NNPC, NABDA, among others do employ Biochemistry graduates but most of the recruitments here are not merit-based. Starting salary is about ₦93,000 -₦250,000
v. Audit Firms & Banks: A university degree, 2:1 and 26 years is enough for you to join these industries provided you do well in aptitude test and interview. Starting salary is about ₦150,000-₦250,000
vi. Lecturing: With B.Sc Biochemistry, you can lecture in polytechnics and monotechnics as Assistance lecturer. You need a 2:1 for graduate assistant position in the universities and M.SC Biochemistry for Assistance lecturer position. You need to obtain a PhD and make publications in order to enjoy career as a lecturer. Salary is about ₦93,000 - ₦160,000
vii. Teaching: You easily get a teaching job in private secondary school but the pay is poor. If you add a PGDE to your degree, many reputable secondary schools including government owned schools will employ you to teach Chemistry or biology but the salary is not that attractive. Salary is about ₦15,000-₦70,000
viii. Entrepreneurship: A biochemistry graduate with money and vision can set up an ethanol plant, Biogas plant, Industrial starch production, Industrial enzyme production and other raw materials for industries. This requires a lot of money but if you can achieve it, you are on your way to join the leagues of Dangote.
CHALLENGES
i. Nigerian universities produce more graduates than the labour market can employ. These places cannot employ every graduates. Even medical doctors are facing unemployment. You have to be exceptional, patient, and hardworking to succeed.
ii. Godfatherism has come to stay and those who have godfathers constantly take the few positions. This happens mostly in Government establishments. You have to reach out and make connections or concentrate your search to private organizations and multinationals. They pay better salary and career growth is faster.
iii. Sometimes you have to compete with graduates of Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Food Science for positions. The versatility of Biochemistry will give you competitive edge but you also have to up your game.

You said it all fellow metabolite

Which hospitals accept biochemist as scientific officer? I need help please.