Becoming a software developer requires continuous learning and hands-on experience, which have the potential to open a new world of possibilities especially if you are self-taught. Noteworthy, youths in Nigeria are determined to learn programming skills online without seeing the gate of the University due to many factors including tuition fees.

For instance, if you search on Google, you'll discover that many Nigerian youths spend time every day, and what they search the most is how to learn a tech skill.

Since most tech skills require basic programming languages, we have decided to create this informative post - how to become a software developer also known as a software engineer.

Becoming a Self-Taught Software Engineer

Are you desperately searching for ways to become a software engineer without needing to study computer science in school? The good news is that you can become one without entering the university.

Whether you are a beginner or stuck with a career you don't like, becoming a software engineer is super easy if you are ready to sacrifice time.

Statistics show that software engineers earn approximately ₦4,420,000 every year on average in Nigeria. You can earn even more if you are dedicated enough in this field.

What is Software Engineering?

When you ask this question from an experienced programmer expect different answers because software engineering can be many things, depending on the regions, platforms, and the organization the programmer works.

Software engineering is similar to coding and programming with little or no discrepancies. It can also mean working with hardware and web development.

For a broad explanation, a software developer is someone who creates, designs and implements programs for computers (think of it like your normal WhatsApp application that you use every day to communicate with friends and family).

You can build applications for hospitals for clinical purposes and storing patients' data, you can create applications for commercial banks for banking and transactional purposes. However, you'll also be responsible for the maintenance and updates of such applications.

In addition, a software developer can also be someone who builds and designs websites that you browse every time. Although there is a little difference between software engineer and web developer. You can learn about their differences later, but most importantly the reason for this post is to learn software development.

How to Become a Software Engineer Without a Degree

Software development is one of the highest-paying jobs in Nigeria and you can learn it without getting a degree. But I mostly recommend you attain it professionally and from platforms like Google, Coursera, and IBM who provides certifications.

You are likely to be hired if you possess a certificate because it showcases your knowledge, understanding, and expertise in the said profession.

Here are steps to follow if you want to become a software developer;

Step 1: Learn a programming language

The first step to becoming a self-taught developer is to learn one of the many programming languages.

There are a lot of entry-level programming languages for software development including;

Java - java is an open-source programming language that creates an application that runs in browsers and virtual machines

Javascript - this is a text-based programming language that makes webpages interactive, which includes animations, audio functionality, carousel, and many others.

Python - Python is a high-level programming language that is often used for larger programs by data scientists, and business analysts.

The programming language you choose should align with your career goals. For instance, if you just want to be building websites (front-end developer), you will have to learn Javascript and its fundamentals and backend programming.

However, if mobile games and applications are what you want to build, learn Java. It is a programming language often used for enterprise software development.

Step 2: Learn data structure and algorithm

After you have learned one or two programming languages, the next chapter is to familiarize yourself with data structures and algorithms

Data structure improves the functionality of storing, fetching, and organizing data, while algorithms can be used as sets of instructions or operations used in combination with data structure to get a desired outcome.

Learning about algorithms and data structures is a must if you want to master software development. Also, organizations and big firms often require people who have a solid foundation about them.

Once you have mastered these two steps, you are on your way to becoming a full-time software developer, but if you want to maximize the benefits and potential of getting hired, continue with the following steps.

Step 3: Create a profile on GitHub

Building a portfolio on GitHub allows you to work with other developers, further refining your technical skills and showcasing your expertise. Learn about GitHub and use its features to your own advantage.

By creating a profile and building a portfolio, you can contribute to open-source projects, and in return gain valuable experience in your given field.

Make sure to keep your GitHub profile attractive enough for organizations.

Step 4: Apply for a software engineering job

The next chapter after you have created a profile on GitHub is applying for software development jobs across different organizations that align with your career goals. However, in most cases, you will need to ace the coding interview.

What is a coding interview?

Coding interview is preparing for the next chapter as a professional software developer. Hiring managers and organizations will evaluate your technical skills and problem-solving ability.

They will make sure you are right for the job before taking a second look at your resume. One effective way of preparing for technical interview questions is using online resources like LeetCode, which has thousands of technical coding questions.

If you are interviewing for a role with a specialization, you should also review the concepts and frameworks related to that field or technology.

Step 5: Take a course

The next and last step is expanding your knowledge by taking a course or boot camp. There are many ways to study software engineering, which include taking a course with a certificate provided by renowned platforms or enrolling in a coding boot camp.

Whichever way suits you, taking a course to expand your knowledge and improve your resume is a crucial chapter in becoming a certified software developer that every organization wants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do I need to become a software developer?

As a developer, you will be creating software that solves problems that users or organizations want.

To begin this journey, you will need solid communication and technical skills. Talking about technical, some organizations expect you to be good with a variety of coding skills and a mix of qualifications.

For instance, you need to be good at HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Java, Python, the ability to work with AI programming tools, etc. This is the first step to becoming a software developer.

2. What do software engineers do?

A software engineer is responsible for creating, designing, testing, and deploying web and software applications.

Depending on the specialization, the application could be a computer program, operating system, mobile app, or webpage in a browser. They can work freelance or with a company.

3. How long does it take to learn software engineering?

It might not be difficult to learn software engineering once you have mastered the most important skills. However there's no shortcut to learning, and there's no theory either. It is more like a life skill that you will live with for the rest of your life. It requires time, practice, and continuous learning.

So, you should be able to commit to at least 6 months to 1 year if you intend to become a software engineer without a degree.

4. How much do software engineers earn in Nigeria?

Software engineers earn approximately ₦4,420,000 or even more on average in Nigeria. However, the salary scale varies based on their level of experience and expertise.

5. How many software engineers are in Nigeria?

Currently, Nigeria is among the top 3 countries that have the highest number of developers in Africa with 150,000+ software developers spread across more than 500 tech companies in Africa as of 2024. Out of this number, 20% work in startup companies.

6. Is software development in high demand in Nigeria?

There is a wealth of applications and software development work available and this is expected to grow even more than the previous years combined. This makes software engineering a perfect career option for the skillful Nigerian who has few resources to spend in the university.

7. What is the highest-paying tech job?

Software engineering is one of the highest-paying tech jobs in Nigeria with flexibility and time freedom, but it requires fundamental programming skills that most Nigerians find difficult. You can check out our most recent resources if you want to know about other tech jobs.