At just 27, Ifeanyi has significantly increased his monthly earnings from ₦183,000 to ₦2.6 million as a management consultant in Nigeria. However, this was not always his plan
Graduating with an accounting degree from a private Nigerian university, Ifeanyi initially aimed for a career in finance. However, after two years, he decided to pivot to consulting, a move that would transform his earnings. He began his journey at a Nigerian “Big Four” firm before transitioning to a top global consulting company.
His secret? Strategic job-hopping and always prioritizing his growth.
The Early Struggles: From ₦20k to ₦183k
Fresh out of university, Ifeanyi’s first internship at an investment bank paid him just ₦20,000 monthly.
“It was a great learning experience, but I needed something more sustainable,” he recalls.
His breakthrough came during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Abuja, where he landed an intern analyst role at a financial advisory firm, earning ₦150,000 plus his ₦33,000 NYSC allowance—totaling ₦183,000 monthly.
After NYSC, he was promoted to a senior role with a salary of ₦220,000 but left the position to pursue opportunities in private equity.
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The Big Four Breakthrough: From ₦220k to ₦640k
In mid-2022, Ifeanyi joined a private equity firm but soon received an offer from a “Big Four” consulting firm.
“I had always wanted to work at a Big Four because of the global brand and career progression,” he says.
Starting with a salary of ₦286,000 in Risk Consulting, he quickly realized that Management Consulting was a better fit. Within a year, he was promoted to Analyst with a salary of ₦467,000, and by mid-2024, his salary increased to ₦640,000 due to a cost-of-living adjustment.
But he wanted more.
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The Global Leap: Landing ₦2.6m Monthly
Ifeanyi set his sights on a top-tier global consulting firm, dedicating 5-6 months to rigorously prepare for the challenging case interviews.
“The interview process is one of the toughest in the world,” he admits.
His persistence paid off. By mid-2024, he secured an offer with a net monthly salary of ₦2.6 million—over three times his Big Four earnings.
“Beyond pay, I wanted global mobility and a merit-based promotion system,” he explains. “At my current firm, if you deliver, you rise—there’s no office politics.”
The job is demanding—late nights are standard, and rest is rare. But for Ifeanyi, the rapid growth is worth it.
“I don’t see myself staying anywhere beyond 2-3 years,” he says. “When a better opportunity comes, I’ll jump. Once you play at the highest level, there’s no going back.”
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Key Lessons from His Journey
- Solve for yourself first: If your salary isn’t growing, seek better opportunities.
- Strategic job-hopping works: He switched roles five times in five years.
- Brand matters: Global firms offer higher pay and career growth.
- Stay ready: He secured his current job six months before resigning.
Ifeanyi’s story proves that with strategy, persistence, and bold moves, massive salary jumps are possible—even in Nigeria’s tough job market.
“Always play the long game,” he advises. “Your career is in your hands.”
