Iremide (21) never fully intended to become a civil service worker in her early twenties, but a generous offer to work at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) changed her mind. In this story, she shared how she got the job and why she turned down other opportunities for it.
Life Before FIRS
I’ve always loved being involved in civic society and governance in general. Beyond seeing it as a career path, I’ve always been passionate about service. So, when the opportunity at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) arose, I applied as I would for any other job opening. It wasn’t that I was dead set on joining the public sector; it was just one of several options that aligned with my long-term goals. I was intentional about where I applied, and FIRS fit into the kind of regulatory experience I wanted.
Working with a regulator like FIRS, or the Upstream Regulatory Authority, gives you a strong professional background, even if you later move into the private sector. That also influenced my decision. Lastly, I’ve always admired people who have experience across both private and public sectors. I didn’t expect to start in the public sector, but here I am.
Preparing to work at FIRS
I’ve been building my work experience long before I joined the company. I started helping out in my parents’ business as a teenager, handling sales and marketing. I also took up internship opportunities before I left school and built my CV from there.
Gaining transferable skills for the FIRS job
During these work experiences, I focused on gaining interpersonal and communication skills. People usually focus on technical ability, but soft skills really make the difference. Your ability to work well with others, communicate clearly, and speak confidently is what employers value most. Without those, it’s hard to thrive, no matter how smart you are. I use those skills every day in my current role.
How to get a job at FIRS
I’m part of a community of friends who always share opportunities. Whenever someone finds a job opening or a scholarship, they drop it in our group chat, and we all apply. That’s actually how I first heard about the FIRS recruitment.
Additionally, LinkedIn is a great platform to discover opportunities like this. There’s also a platform called isunex.com that regularly posts job openings across different sectors.
Twitter is also another good place to watch. FIRS actually announced the recruitment publicly through a tweet, and it was also shared across their official social media pages. The openings were available for both experienced professionals and entry-level applicants. If you’d like to work at FIRS, I highly recommend that you keep an eye out for their social media posts. You should also constantly check out their website for job opportunities.
Perks of working at FIRS
FIRS is arguably the best government agency to work for right now. The pay is also great and comparable to what any Big 4 firm would offer. Beyond that, there are plenty of opportunities for continuous development. Every Monday, we have technical sessions where staff discuss finance and taxation topics with industry experts and senior colleagues. It’s very collaborative.
FIRS also supports staff with professional growth by paying annual subscriptions for associations like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
And contrary to the popular belief that civil service is where talent goes to die, at FIRS, your work is valued and rewarded if you’re genuinely ready to work. In fact, I turned down opportunities from a multinational oil and gas company and Big 4 companies to take FIRS’s offer. I decided to gain more experience in taxation first, since it’s something I’ve always been interested in.
Advice for young people who want to work in the public sector
First, self-belief. You are all you need. Once you understand that, you stop comparing yourself to others and start building your own path. Have clarity about what you want for yourself; it helps you and others support your journey.
For instance, I know exactly where I want to be in the next five to ten years, and that vision keeps me focused. So my advice is simple: believe in yourself, define your goals, stay consistent, and trust the process. The rest will align with time.
