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Many years ago, man relied on primitive methods and strategies due to little scientific knowledge and development.
Today, science, especially chemistry, has a contribution to almost every aspect of our careers and everyday life. The household items, furniture, and industrial materials that we use are results of various chemical techniques and research. It is a very diverse field with utmost importance to human life and development.
Interestingly, the field has various branches that contribute to its versatility, including organic, analytical, pharmaceutical, and inorganic chemistry. The organic aspect deals with certain elements and compounds used in the production of fuel and powerful materials.
The inorganic and analytical part revolves around the elemental analysis of various raw materials. The pharmaceutical aspect also has more relationships with health, clinical, and environmental development.
In essence, all these parts have a common goal of improving human life. In today's article, we intend to discuss analytical chemists' job descriptions and responsibilities in Nigeria.
Read about the role of a pharmaceutical chemist in Nigeria.
How to Become an Analytical Chemist in Nigeria

If you wish to become an analytical chemist, the journey starts with paying attention to specific subjects like integrated science and introductory technology in junior secondary school.
After junior school, you must be in a class where you'll offer core science subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology. These subjects will give you basic information about all you need in the university.
As a general rule, you must apply for a course like basic or applied chemistry to join these sets of professionals.
Many universities in Lagos state, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other parts of Nigeria can offer you these courses. You will learn applied chemical analysis, research basis, and different chemical techniques during your university days.
You will also submit a project before you are given a bachelor's degree. After your first degree, you can proceed to postgraduate studies or directly try your luck in the labour market.
If you wish to enhance your portfolio, you can attend a targeted training or course that will improve your skills and give you more experience in analysis, applied techniques, and research methodology.
You must endeavour to score high throughout your journey if you wish to be considered for jobs in this niche. It would help if you also considered attending boot camps or getting a private tutor to boost your chances of being considered. You can get private tutors online by visiting Superprof.
The platform contains thousands of experts who can take you through the rudiments of various science courses. With these tutors, you will undergo practical-based learning and acquire experience through various online teaching methods and materials.
The learning hours are flexible, and the tutors have the professional courtesy to handle diverse student levels.
Apart from the academic qualifications that are required in this field, there are certain skills that you must have to succeed in the long run. Different careers for chemistry graduates require varying levels of patience and perseverance.
Innovation can't be rushed, and as such, you must imbibe a patient culture. You also need to be inquisitive, as most inventions start with being intrigued by environmental happenings. In addition, the labour market is in need of versatile individuals who can fit into several roles.
Know more about research work for a chemistry graduate in Nigeria.
Job Opportunities for Analytical Chemists in Nigeria
As a professional in this field, you must be aware that there are several chemistry graduate jobs in Nigeria in the private and public sectors.
The first and most important requirement for a job in this field is a bachelor's degree in chemistry, applied/analytical chemistry or any related discipline. If you've got that, you can explore food production and inspection firms.
These companies need a professional with experience that can analyze and invent new food storage, production, and safety methods.
You can also look for positions in pharmaceutical firms in Lagos state or other places where you'll be required to play many roles, including analyzing drug substrates and ascertaining the purity of various substances.

Other jobs available for chemistry graduates in Nigeria, especially those in this field, are to ply their trade in water purification firms established many years ago.
Whether private or government-owned, working in these companies is one of the best career options for chemist graduates.
Analytical Chemistry graduates can also look for positions in a hospital or clinical environment. Undoubtedly, a chemist is a valuable part of a hospital workforce.
Besides, a chemist in this field can work in a laboratory where experts collect data, write reports, and embark on various projects. You can also work in engineering firms and legal clinics.
If you do not want to ply your trade in the industrial sector, one of the best analytical chemistry career options for chemist graduates is to go academic. Here, you can teach a course relating to your field or organize training for prospective chemists. You can also work in the university as a lecturer or go into research and development.
If you wish to know about other chemistry graduate jobs in Nigeria, you can go online to visit the websites of firms or companies you are interested in to see available positions. There are many firms in Lagos state, Abuja, and Port Harcourt that are in need of strengthening their workforce with chemists like you.
Read on work opportunities for a chemistry graduate in Nigeria.
Job Description of an Analytical Chemist in Nigeria
The task description of various careers for chemistry graduates is similar. However, people who wish to join the analytical chemistry bandwagon are responsible for different tasks depending on the firms and areas they work for. It also depends on various factors like the training type, knowledge level, and experience that the person possesses.
For instance, many years ago, water purification plants needed workers that could fit into physical roles, including engineering works.
Today, a chemist who works in a water plant can just stay in a laboratory, collate data, write reports, provide new information, or design a project. In essence, there are fewer physical duties for these professionals.
If you ply your trade in a health-based or environmental niche, your task will include performing qualitative analysis on different substrates and pollutants using modern tools.
You'll also be in charge of collating results and keeping other related professionals abreast of the latest trend.
Those that choose to be involved in engineering-based careers should expect to design new measurement models using sophisticated machines. They are also expected to use their training to interpret data from other researchers.
In essence, the tasks of these experts vary from non-complex things like working in an office to using separation techniques in a laboratory.
Read about the role of a chemical engineer in Nigeria.
Tips for Understanding Analytical Chemistry

Undoubtedly, science has many areas that require careful attention and strategy to have a proper understanding. If you wish to pursue any of the numerous chemist careers in Nigeria, you must have a solid background right from your junior secondary education. At that stage, you must pay adequate attention to the basics.
When you progress to the senior wing, the subjects become more technical, but if you use the appropriate study strategy, you'll come out on top easily. To this end, you just make use of every available resource to make the subjects more relatable.
Using every available resource at your disposal starts from online searches. You can get thousands of lecture videos and audios that will demystify many ambiguous areas of chemistry.
There are also thousands of textbooks, journals, and magazines on various careers on the web. Besides, you can get a private tutor who will give you one-on-one lectures in problematic areas of your study.
Superprof is a helpful recommendation in this regard. You can meet several experts in this field on the platform, and they are ever ready to guide you to stardom. All you have to do is search for a preferred tutor on the platform and set up a trial lesson.
The trial lesson will allow you to assess your compatibility with the tutor. The tutor will also use the opportunity to assess your level, know your weak points, and draw out an actionable plan.
You can discuss lecture frequency and duration with the tutor as well as a preferred learning mode. Remember that a learning fee is attached to every tutor's profile which depends on factors like the teacher's credentials, learning duration, and mode. Also, the first lesson with any Superprof tutor is free!
To sum it up, the types of jobs available to chemistry graduates in Nigeria are diverse and numerous. However, the common characteristic of these chemist careers in Nigeria is that you must study hard and be smart if you wish to join any firm's workforce.
You must also have impeccable data collection skills, a broad knowledge base, and a good teamwork spirit. If you do not want a laboratory-based role, there are other available physical tasks in the niche, like working in a health and clinical-based environment.
Thankfully, the internet has made it easy to look for new and available jobs for chemistry graduates in Nigeria. All you have to do is type your preferred niche in the Google search engine or other alternatives, and you'll see several reports and information on firms that need your services.
Find more as a chemistry graduates - what does the future hold for you on superprof.
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