How to Get Hired at US Tech Firms as a Nigerian Developer

The demand for skilled software developers is skyrocketing in the United States, with companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and startups actively hiring international talent. For Nigerian developers, landing a high-paying remote or relocation-based job in a US tech firm is an achievable dream—if you know the right strategies.

This guide will walk you through:
✔ Why US companies hire Nigerian developers (Cost efficiency, skill level, English proficiency)
✔ Top US tech firms hiring Nigerians (FAANG, startups, fintech, etc.)
✔ Step-by-step roadmap to getting hired (Resume, LinkedIn, technical interviews)
✔ Work visa options (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, remote work without relocation)
✔ Salary expectations & negotiation tips
✔ Success stories of Nigerians in US tech

1. Why US Tech Firms Hire Nigerian Developers

1.1 The Global Talent Shortage

• US tech job openings vs. local supply
• Why remote hiring is increasing
• Companies looking to tap into worldwide skill pools beyond geographical limits.

1.2 Advantages of Nigerian Developers

✔ Strong technical education (Many self-taught & bootcamp grads)
✔ Cost-effective talent (Compared to US/EU salaries)
✔ English proficiency & cultural adaptability
✔ High demand for niche skills (AI, DevOps, Cybersecurity, Cloud)

1.3 Top US Companies Hiring Nigerians

• FAANG (Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google)
• Fintech (Stripe, PayPal, Coinbase)
• Startups (Y Combinator-backed, remote-first firms)

2. How to Build a US-Standard Tech Resume

2.1 What US Hiring Managers Look For

• ATS (Applicant Tracking System) optimization
• Skills-first vs. experience-first resumes

2.2 Resume Format for US Jobs

✔ Clean, one-page layout (No photos, age, or marital status)
✔ Impact-driven bullet points (Use metrics: “Improved API speed by 40%”)
✔ Keyword optimization (Match job descriptions)

See CV Hacks For Nigerian Graduates

2.3 Nigerian vs. US Resume Differences

❌ Nigerian Style: Long paragraphs, personal details
✅ US Style: Concise, achievement-focused, professional summary

3. Optimizing LinkedIn & GitHub for US Recruiters

3.1 LinkedIn Profile Makeover

• Headline: “Backend Developer | Python, AWS | Open to US Remote Roles”
• About Section: Tell a story (e.g., “Built scalable fintech apps used by 50K+ users”)
• Skills & Endorsements: Top 5 skills highlighted

3.2 GitHub Best Practices

✔ Pinned repositories (Showcase your best work)
✔ README files (Explain projects clearly)
✔ Contributions to open-source (US firms love this!)

3.3 How to Get Noticed by US Recruiters

• Use #OpenToWork (Remote – US)
• Engage with US tech recruiters & hiring managers

4. Passing US Technical Interviews

4.1 Coding Challenges (LeetCode, HackerRank)

• Top 50 algorithms to master (Binary search, DFS, dynamic programming)
• How to practice efficiently (Grind 75, NeetCode.io)

4.2 System Design Interviews

✔ Step-by-step approach (Requirements, API design, scalability)
✔ Common questions (Design Twitter, TinyURL, Uber)

4.3 Behavioral Interviews (STAR Method)

• “Tell me about a time you solved a hard problem”
• US vs. Nigerian interview culture differences

5. Visa Options for Nigerian Developers

5.1 H-1B Visa (Most Common)

• Requirements (Bachelor’s degree, specialty occupation)
• Lottery system explained

5.2 L-1 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer)

• Work for a US company’s Nigerian branch first

5.3 O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability)

• For devs with awards, patents, or major open-source contributions

5.4 Remote Work Without Relocation

• Companies that hire internationally (GitLab, Zapier, Toptal)

6. Salary Negotiation & Contracts

6.1 US vs. Nigeria Developer Salaries

• Entry-level: $80K – $120K
• Senior-level: $150K – $300K+

6.2 How to Negotiate Higher Pay

• Research salary benchmarks (Levels.fyi, Glassdoor)
• Never say your current Nigerian salary

6.3 Understanding US Employment Contracts

• Full-time vs. Contract (1099 vs. W-2)
• Stock options & bonuses

Conclusion: Your Action Plan

1. Polish your resume & LinkedIn
2. Grind LeetCode & system design
3. Apply strategically (AngelList, Wellfound, LinkedIn Jobs)
4. Prepare for visa sponsorship talks