References on CV in Nigeria: Name Referees or 'On Request'?

Should your CV end with two or three named referees, or with the line "References available on request"? For references on a CV in Nigeria, "available on request" is acceptable in some sectors and a missed opportunity in others. The right choice depends on who is hiring, how they recruit and whether the application form already asks for referees.

This guide breaks it down by sector, gives you a referee block you can copy, and notes where the advice changes if you apply to the UK, US, Canada or Australia.

The short answer

There is no single rule that every Nigerian employer follows. As a working guide:

• Name 2-3 referees when the employer is formal, document-heavy or vets candidates early: government bodies, parastatals, schools, hospitals, NGOs and many graduate trainee schemes.
• Write "available on request" (or leave the section out) when space is tight, when you are applying through an online portal that collects referees separately, or when you are job hunting quietly while employed.
• Always have a ready referee list either way. If a recruiter asks and you need a week to find contacts, that delay can cost you.

If you are unsure what a specific employer expects, our guide to the Nigerian CV format by employer covers the wider structure section by section.

References on CV in Nigeria: 'available on request' vs named, by sector

The table below reflects common practice, not fixed rules. Always follow the job advert or application form if it says something different.

Sector	Usual approach	Why
Federal/state civil service, parastatals	Name 2-3 referees	Forms often require them; formal vetting is expected
Public and private schools	Name 2-3 referees	Schools often check character and safeguarding early
Hospitals and healthcare	Name 2-3 referees	Clinical supervisors carry weight; licensing checks are common
NGOs and international development	Name 2-3 referees, often including a recent line manager	Many donor-funded roles ask for referees at shortlisting
Graduate trainee schemes	Follow the portal; named referees if asked	Many schemes collect referees during later stages
Banks and financial services	"Available on request" is usually fine	Formal reference and background checks typically come after an offer
Oil and gas, multinationals, FMCG	"Available on request" or omit	Online portals and third-party checks handle references
Tech companies and startups	Omit or "on request"	Lean CVs are preferred; references asked late in the process
SMEs and private businesses	Either; named referees can help	Smaller firms may call referees early to speed things up
Remote roles for foreign employers	Omit from CV	International norms apply (see country notes below)

For banking specifically, see what CV format Nigerian banks prefer, which includes an annotated sample.

When naming referees clearly helps

Named referees add value when they strengthen your story. A head teacher vouching for a classroom teacher, a consultant vouching for a nurse, or a programme manager vouching for an NGO field officer all signal credibility in sectors that rely on trust.

They also help fresh graduates with thin work history. A project supervisor, NYSC place-of-primary-assignment supervisor or internship manager can speak to your reliability when your experience section is short.

When 'available on request' is the smarter choice

Use "available on request" or simply remove the section when:

1. You are currently employed and job hunting privately. Naming your current manager on a CV you send widely is risky.
2. Your CV is already at two pages. Referee details take four to eight lines that could hold an achievement.
3. The portal has a separate referee field. Duplicating the information adds nothing.
4. You are sending many speculative applications. You do not want referees' phone numbers circulating in inboxes you cannot control.

Many recruiters assume references are available, so the line itself is optional. If you include it, keep it to one line at the end.

Who to choose as a referee

A good referee has supervised your work recently and will respond quickly. Seniority matters less than relevance.

Strong choices:

• Your current or most recent line manager (only once you are comfortable they know you are moving)
• A previous manager from a relevant role
• An academic supervisor or head of department (for graduates)
• Your NYSC supervisor
• A client or project lead for freelancers

Weaker choices:

• Family members or family friends, even if they hold a senior title
• A well-known person who barely knows your work
• Someone you have not spoken to in years and have not warned

In Nigeria it is common to see a pastor, imam or community leader listed. For character-focused roles this can be acceptable as a third referee, but pair it with at least one professional referee.

Referees are not guarantors

Some Nigerian employers, especially banks, security firms and retail businesses, ask for guarantors after an offer. A guarantor form is a separate document, often with stricter requirements such as a civil servant of a certain grade. Do not list guarantors in your referee section, and never put someone forward as a guarantor without their full agreement.

A referee block you can copy

Keep the format consistent and minimal. Two or three referees is enough; more looks like padding.

Referees

Mrs Adaeze Okafor Head of Operations, Bright Path Logistics Ltd, Lagos Former line manager (2021-2024) adaeze.okafor@brightpath.example | 0803 000 0000

Dr Ibrahim Musa Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Abuja Final-year project supervisor i.musa@uniabuja.example | 0805 000 0000

Notes on the format:

• State the relationship. "Former line manager" tells the reader why this person's opinion matters.
• Use work emails where possible. They are easier to verify than personal addresses.
• Do not include home addresses. Name, title, organisation, relationship, email and phone are enough.
• Do not add photos, signatures or ID numbers of referees.

If you choose not to name them, the one-line version is:

References: Available on request.

How to ask someone to be your referee

Ask before you list anyone. Under Nigeria's data protection framework, sharing someone's personal contact details generally calls for a lawful basis such as consent; this is general information, not legal advice, so check the Nigeria Data Protection Commission's official guidance if you need detail. Beyond the law, it is simply courteous.

A short message works:

Good afternoon Mrs Okafor, I hope you are well. I am applying for operations roles and would be grateful if I could list you as a referee, as you supervised my work at Bright Path from 2021 to 2024. Employers would contact you by email or phone, usually near the end of the process. I am happy to send my CV and the roles I am applying for. Thank you for considering it.

Once they agree:

1. Send your updated CV so they know what you have claimed.
2. Tell them which roles you are targeting and the skills you would like them to mention, if true.
3. Give them a heads-up when you reach final stages, so a call does not come out of nowhere.
4. Thank them afterwards, whatever the outcome.

One honesty point: never ask a referee to confirm a job title, date or responsibility that is not accurate. Reference checks exist to catch exactly that, and the damage can follow both of you.

If you are applying outside Nigeria

Referee norms differ by country. Adjust before you send a Nigerian-format CV abroad.

• UK: Most CVs omit referees, and "available on request" is often seen as unnecessary. References are commonly taken after a conditional offer. Public sector application forms, including the NHS, ask for referees in the form itself.
• US: Resumes rarely include references or the "on request" line. Employers ask for a separate list later if they need it.
• Canada: Leave references off the resume. Prepare a separate reference sheet to share when asked; Canadian references are valued, so volunteering contacts can help newcomers.
• Australia: Listing two referees is more common than in the UK or US, though "on request" is also accepted. See our Australian CV referees guide for detail.
• Remote roles with foreign employers: Follow the employer's country norm, which usually means leaving references off and having a list ready.

Also keep international reachability in mind. Add the country code to phone numbers (+234) and prefer email, since a foreign recruiter may not call a Nigerian mobile.

Quick checklist before you send

• I have checked whether the job advert or form asks for referees
• I have chosen named referees or "on request" based on the sector
• Every named referee has agreed and has my latest CV
• Each entry shows name, title, organisation, relationship, email and phone
• No guarantors, family members or home addresses are listed
• Phone numbers include +234 if applying abroad
• My CV still fits within a sensible length after adding referees
• I have a separate referee list ready, even if my CV says "on request"

If you are rebuilding your CV around these choices, the AI CV builder can help you lay out the referee section and keep the rest of the document tidy. Whatever tool you use, the decision itself comes back to the sector, the employer's instructions and having referees who genuinely know your work.