Top tech jobs you should consider if you want to Japa

Nigeria is undoubtedly a blessed country as the African giant boasts of a great natural and human capacity endowment. However, with the current state of the nation's economy and the discouraging rate of unemployment, many young Nigerians are looking to travel out of the country in search of "Greener Pasture," and this trend is known as "JAPA".  Even amidst the low times in the country, the tech industry has become a significant sector, and many foreign companies are recruiting talented tech professionals from Nigeria. These companies recognize the valuable skills that Nigerians possess and are willing to offer them a good opportunity. If you're in tech and looking to JAPA on a "work basis," there are available opportunities for you but here are top tech jobs you should consider.

DevOps Engineering

DevOps is a collaboration of both the software development and IT operations teams. The aim is to enhance the efficiency and soundness of software installation by leveraging automation tools, processes, and procedures. More companies have been moving their operations to the cloud, and DevOps has become a critical component in ensuring that software products are delivered with speed, reliability, and security.  To become a DevOps professional, you need to possess a wide range of skills, including:

• Programming

• Automation

• Cloud computing

• Containerization

Furthermore, You need to be proficient in programming languages such as Python and Java and have experience with automation tools such as Ansible, Chef, and Puppet. A DevOps engineer also needs to have knowledge of cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), as well as containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. According to UK talent, an average DevOps engineer is paid £60,000 annually in the United Kingdom.

Quality Assurance Engineering 

Quality assurance (QA) engineering is another vital aspect of the tech industry that foreign companies are recruiting for in Nigeria. QA engineers work hand in hand with developers to ensure that the software products are tested thoroughly and all defects are identified and corrected. Their job is to ensure that software products meet specific quality standards before they are released to the market.  QA engineers possess different skills ranging from paying attention to details to problem-solving skills. They also have a good understanding of automation tools, software development processes, and testing methodologies. While the salary of a QA engineer abroad largely depends on the country, here are the average annual salaries of a QA engineer in some countries:

Software Developer

Software development is a job that requires expertise in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. Software developers design and develop the software applications used by various organizations, and this lists them among the most in-demand professionals in the tech industry today. Their core skills include proficiency in programming languages, testing and debugging, critical thinking, and teamwork. The average annual salaries of software developers in some countries are listed below:

Data Analyst

Data analysts collect, analyze, and interpret large databases to put businesses and organizations on the right track. The following skills are required of them:

• Proficiency in programming languages such as SQL and Python.

• Deep knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI.

• Good understanding of statistics and mathematics.

These skills are used to create interactive dashboards that help business owners understand complex data sets and what should be done. Also, Data Analysts can work in different industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and technology, among others. If you possess the right skills and experience, you can easily secure a work visa to move to any country of your choice. Besides, the pay is good; as seen on Glassdoor, below are some of the average annual salaries of a Data analyst abroad:

Cybersecurity Analyst

Cybersecurity is a rising concern for many businesses worldwide, and as a cybersecurity analyst, you will be responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from cyber-attacks. This job requires knowledge of cybersecurity codes and best practices. The main responsibilities of a cybersecurity analyst include the following: 

• Identifying and assessing potential risks

• Development and implementation of security policies

• Monitoring for security breaches

• Conducting security audits

• Managing security technologies 

While they protect the company's digital assets from threats, they are also being paid for a good job. The annual salaries of a cybersecurity analyst for some countries are listed below:

With the increasing importance of cybersecurity in the digital space today, cybersecurity analysts are in high demand, and foreign companies are actively recruiting talented individuals across the world. 

Mobile App Developer 

Most companies today acknowledge the importance of having a mobile presence and are investing in mobile apps to improve customer engagement and provide a better user experience. This also intensifies the significance of mobile developers who design and develop mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms. Outside Nigeria, mobile developers make a decent amount of money, and according to glassdoor, the average annual salary of a mobile developer in some countries is seen below:

The demand for tech talent outside Nigeria continues to grow as companies increasingly rely on technology to drive their business growth and stay competitive. This means more and more opportunities for all techies out there, if you already have any of the skills discussed in this article, check areas where you are lacking, stay at the top of your game, and apply for jobs abroad.