In Nigeria’s business environment, hiring decisions carry significant risk. For small and medium enterprises in particular, a single wrong hire can lead to financial loss, operational disruption, or long-term reputational damage. Issues such as mismanaged funds or falsified records have caused serious setbacks for many organisations.
While CVs and interviews remain important, they do not always reveal the full picture. Research shows that dishonesty during recruitment is more common than many employers expect. Forbes reports that over half of job seekers admit to inaccuracies on their CVs. In Nigeria, this challenge is compounded by fake certificates, unverifiable work histories, and identity inconsistencies. In many cases, these issues only surface after the employee has already been hired.
This is where background checks become essential. Conducted after interviews and before onboarding, they help employers verify critical information and reduce the risk of costly hiring mistakes.
In this article, you will learn 10 proven background check tips every employer should know.
Obtain Written Consent Before You Begin
Before you check anything, ask the candidate to sign a consent form. This could be a simple email or document stating you will verify their education, work history, and other credentials. This shows respect for their privacy and protects your business from legal issues.
View 90+ Employment Laws and Facts In Nigeria You Need to Know
Verify Educational Credentials Directly with Institutions
Fake degrees and certificates are more common than many employers realise. Instead of just trusting a certificate, contact the school or university directly. For example, call the admissions office or check their online verification system. Ask for the exact course, graduation year and degree awarded. This will quickly expose fake or exaggerated claims.
Verify Previous Employment History with Former Employers
Instead of taking a CV at face value, call the HR department or direct supervisor of the candidate’s former jobs. Ask how long they worked there, what their responsibilities were and how they performed. The response you get will let you know if they are worth hiring or not.
Check NYSC Discharge Certificate for Applicable Candidates
For candidates who completed the National Youth Service Corps, ask to see their discharge certificate. Make a quick call or email to confirm the certificate number. This is a small step that ensures authenticity for many young Nigerian professionals.
View How Corps Members Can Get Jobs Faster After NYSC
Verify Professional Certifications with Relevant Regulatory Bodies
For professions such as accounting, law, or engineering, certifications are essential. You can contact organisations such as ICAN, NSE, or NBA to verify the candidate’s credentials.
View Latest Accounting Jobs In Nigeria
Conduct Reference Checks
References provide valuable insight into a candidate's character and professional behaviour. Make sure you contact at least two to three references provided by the candidate. Don't forget that some references may be biased in the candidate's favour, so ensure to ask targeted questions.
View How and When to Include CV Reference
Verify Identity Documents
Always confirm a candidate’s identity using official documents like NIN, voter’s card, driver’s licence, or international passport. Identity verification prevents fraud and ensures the person you are hiring is who they claim to be.
Conduct Address Verification
Knowing that a candidate actually lives where they say they do is more important than it seems. Ask for a recent utility bill or tenancy agreement to confirm their address.
Background checks are a critical step in protecting your business. The tips highlighted in this piece gives you a proper foundation for doing background checks the right way. By verifying education, work history, and even address, you can spot potential hiring red flags before they become costly problems.
Leave a Comment