At 27, *Ifeanyi earns ₦2.6m monthly as a management consultant in Nigeria, but this wasn’t the plan. Graduating with an accounting degree from a private university in Nigeria, he set out to build a career in finance and investing. But two years later, he pivoted to consulting, starting at the Nigerian branch of a “Big Four” before moving to one of the world’s leading consulting firms.
His career hack? Strategic job-hopping and always solving for himself first. Here’s how he made his biggest salary jumps and what he’s doing to secure an even bigger paycheck.
This is *Ifeanyi’s story, as told to Aisha Bello:
I’m a management consultant at a leading global firm with a presence in Nigeria. While I’m based here, my work cuts across industries and markets worldwide. I solve complex business problems for companies across various sectors. A consultant’s job is to step in with a fresh, strategic perspective whenever a company faces a challenge. Think of us as brains for hire or doctors for businesses.
Starting Out: Equity Research Analyst (₦183k/month) | 2021 – 2022
Fresh out of university, I landed an internship at an investment bank that paid just ₦20k/month. It was a great learning experience, but I needed something more sustainable.
But first, NYSC.
I was posted to Abuja for my service year. Five months in, I secured an entry-level role as an intern analyst at a financial advisory firm, earning ₦150k/month plus my NYSC allowance (₦33k), bringing my total earnings to ₦183k/month.
After NYSC, I got promoted to a senior role in the same firm, and my pay increased to ₦220k/month. However, I wanted to transition to private equity, so I left.
Private Equity Firm (₦220k/month) | 2022
By mid-2022, I joined a private equity firm as an analyst trainee, but the pay was the same as my previous role. I was excited about the switch, but a “Big Four” firm came calling two months in.
Big 4 Consulting Firm (₦286k → ₦640k/month) | 2022 – 2024
I’d always wanted to work at a “Big Four” because of the strong global brand and career progression opportunities.
The Big Four— Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG — are the world’s largest accounting and consulting firms by revenue. These firms have offices in major cities worldwide and are known for their competitive salaries and global presence.
I got the offer towards the end of 2022, and started as a graduate trainee in their Risk Consulting unit, earning ₦286k/month. However, within a week, I discovered another unit focused on management consulting. It was broader, more generalist, and felt like a better fit for me. So, I spoke to my manager, reached out to the new unit’s leadership, made my case, and transferred immediately.
Consulting is fast-paced. One month, I could work on a public sector project; the next, I’ll be deep into oil and gas or banking and finance. The constant challenge kept me engaged.
After a year, I was promoted to Analyst in 2023, earlier than the usual 18- to 24-month timeline.
I had been identified as a top performer. I took on more work, delivered results, and earned the trust of my seniors. Seeing my performance, they recommended me for the promotion. I moved up, and my salary jumped to ₦467k/month.
By mid-2024, it was reviewed to ₦640k/month as part of a company-wide cost-of-living adjustment.
I was on track for another promotion to Senior Analyst, which would have bumped my salary to ₦800k/month, but I left before this happened.
Big Four firms may have global brand names, but each country operates independently. The Nigerian unit, for example, is owned and run by Nigerian partners, just like the US and UK branches operate separately.
They share a name and some resources but aren’t one big global company. That’s why working at a Big Four firm in Nigeria doesn’t guarantee international mobility. I wanted something different: a consulting firm where my career wouldn’t be tied to just Nigeria. So, I made my next big leap.
The Big Move: Global Consulting Firm (₦2.6m/month) | Present
At junior levels, salaries at consulting firms are fixed; no negotiation. The only way to increase your earnings is to move to a firm that pays significantly better.
That’s exactly what I did.
Breaking into this firm wasn’t easy. The interview process is one of the toughest in the world, and candidates spend months preparing for it.
So, I spent 5-6 months on rigorous case interview practice and hundreds of mock sessions. I used online platforms to connect with other candidates and practised with people already working at the consulting firms.
Then, I started applying to top-tier global consulting firms, and by mid-2024, I had landed an offer. My remuneration would be over three times what I earned at my “Big Four” job.
I resigned from my “Big Four” job and transitioned to my present firm shortly after.
Beyond the pay and global mobility, promotion politics was one of my biggest reasons for leaving. At my current firm, that’s not a thing. If you deliver results, you get promoted.
I currently earn a net salary of ₦2.6 million monthly, and a pay bump follows every promotion.
I work at a firm that operates at the same global standard, and my role now extends beyond Nigeria to international projects.
But the job is brutally demanding. Late nights are the norm, and wrapping up before 11 p.m. counts as an early finish. It’s incredibly fast-paced, so getting time to rest and recharge is a rare luxury. But I put up with it because I enjoy the work, and the rapid growth makes it all worth it.
Key Lessons from My Salary Progression
I’ve never been afraid to leave a job, even after a month or two.
People call it job-hopping, but it’s about making moves that serve my personal growth and financial goals. In just five years, I’ve worked at five different companies. Here’s my two cents about career growth:
- Always solve for yourself first: If your salary isn’t growing significantly, look for better opportunities.
- Strategic job-hopping works: I took control of my career and didn’t stay in roles that didn’t push me forward.
- Brand matters: Working at a global-recognised firm opens doors to better pay and career growth.
- Negotiation is limited, so play the long game: Your level determines your salary in consulting. If you want more, aim for a firm that pays higher at your level.
- Stay ready for opportunities: I secured my current job six months before resigning. Have a plan before making any move.
What the next five years look like
I don’t see myself staying at any company for over two or three years. My primary focus is delivering my best in my current role, but when a better opportunity comes knocking, I won’t hesitate to make the jump.
That said, I don’t see myself returning to a Big Four. That’d be like a footballer playing in the Europa League, then levelling up to the Champions League, where the competition is tougher, the stakes are higher, and the rewards are greater. There’s no going back once you’ve played at the highest level.
People say consulting is for those still figuring out their long-term career path, and maybe they’re right. It throws you into different industries, working alongside top executives and decision-makers you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. That exposure is priceless, and it shapes your next career move.
Maybe I’ll find my place in banking and finance or oil and gas. When I do, I’ll go all in. But for now, I’m focused on growing, learning, keeping my options open, and playing at the highest level I can.
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