You’ve done the hard part. You’ve written a killer opening hook. You’ve detailed your achievements in the body paragraphs. You've proven you're the best candidate. Now you’ve reached the end, and you’re about to type the last three lines.
You freeze. What do you say?
If you're like 90% of Nigerian job seekers, you're about to type some version of this:
- “I am humbly begging you to please consider me for this role. I will work very hard.”
- “I am a poor, hardworking graduate and I desperately need this job. Please, I am pleading.”
- “Awaiting your favourable response, sir/ma.”
- “I hope you will call me for an interview.”
Stop right there.
These phrases, while common and sometimes well-intentioned, are “silent killers.” They are the single most common reason a recruiter in Lagos, Abuja, or Nairobi will sigh and move your CV to the “No” pile.
Why? Because your cover letter's ending is your final impression. It's your digital handshake. And these endings don't say “confident professional”; they scream “desperate,” “unprofessional,” and “lacks confidence.”
This is the definitive 4000+ word guide on how to end a cover letter professionally from a Nigerian and African perspective. We will dismantle the “begging” culture, teach you the psychology of a powerful closing, and provide over 15 “Before and After” examples so you never make this mistake again.
Chapter 1: The Psychology of a Powerful Cover Letter Closing
In communication, there's a principle called the “Primacy and Recency Effect.” People remember the first thing you say (your opening) and the last thing you say (your ending).
Your ending is your final sales pitch. It's the last thought you leave in the recruiter's mind before they decide to either open your CV or close your application.
What a Recruiter Wants to See in Your Closing:
- Confidence: That you believe in your skills and the value you bring.
- Proactiveness: That you are not just a passive “waiter” but a proactive “doer.”
- Clarity: A clear “call to action”—what do you want to happen next?
- Professionalism: That you understand modern business etiquette.
What a Recruiter Hates to See (The Nigerian Sins):
- Desperation (The “Begging” Tone): “Please, I beg you,” “I am humbly pleading.” This is the #1 mistake. In our culture of deference to “Oga,” we mistake this for respect. In business, it's a massive red flag. It signals you have no other options and, therefore, no value.
- Passivity (The “Waiting” Tone): “I hope to hear from you,” “Awaiting your call.” This is weak. It puts all the power in their hands and shows no initiative.
- Arrogance (The “Over-Confident” Tone): “I know I am the best candidate you will find, so you should call me.” This is the other extreme, and it's just as bad.
- Vagueness: “Thank you for reading.” …And? What's the next step?
This guide will teach you to find the “sweet spot”: confident, proactive, and respectful.
Chapter 2: The 2-Part Anatomy of a Perfect Cover Letter Closing
A powerful ending is not just one line. It consists of two distinct, essential components:
- The Closing Paragraph: Your 2-3 sentence final pitch that summarizes your value and includes a clear Call to Action (CTA).
- The Professional Sign-Off (or “Valediction”): The formal “goodbye” that follows all rules of business etiquette (e.g.,
Best regards,).
We will break down each of these in detail.
Chapter 3: Deep Dive – How to Write the Perfect Closing Paragraph
This is the engine of your closing. It must accomplish three things in 2-3 concise sentences.
Component 1: The “Value” Reiteration (Your Final Pitch) Start with a single sentence that confidently connects your main skill to their main need. You're summarizing your “why.”
- “I am confident that my 5 years of experience in reducing financial waste align perfectly with your company's goal of ‘operational efficiency.'”
- “My proven ability to build a community from scratch, as I did with [Project], makes me an ideal fit to lead your new marketing initiative.”
- “I am eager to bring my blend of technical knowledge and hands-on leadership experience to your graduate trainee program.”
Component 2: The Call to Action (The “CTA”) This is the most important part. You must tell them the next step. You are moving from “passive” to “active.”
- WEAK (Passive): “I hope you will consider me.”
- STRONG (Active): “I look forward to discussing my qualifications further in an interview.”
- WEAK (Passive): “I am waiting to hear from you.”
- STRONG (Active): “I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.”
Component 3: The “Thank You” This is a standard, polite part of the closing.
- “Thank you for your time and consideration.”
- “Thank you for considering my application.”
Putting the Closing Paragraph Together
Let's combine these three components.
Formula: [Value Reiteration Sentence] + [Active Call to Action] + [Polite Thank You]
Result (Mid-Level Professional):
“I am confident that my track record of increasing sales by 30% and my expertise in the SaaS market are an excellent match for this role. I have attached my CV for your review and look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you in an interview. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Result (Fresh Graduate):
“I am eager to bring the analytical skills I developed during my thesis project and the leadership experience I gained as my CDS group's president to your dynamic team. My CV is attached, and I look forward to discussing how I can be an immediate asset. Thank you for your consideration.”
This is confident. It's clear. It's respectful. It's professional. It does not beg.
Chapter 4: 15+ “Before and After” Examples of Closings (The Nigerian Edition)
This is where we put the theory into practice. Here are 15 common scenarios, showing the “sin” and the “win.”
Scenario 1: The Fresh Graduate (NYSC)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “Please sir, I am a fresh graduate, I am begging you to just give me a chance. I will work very hard. I am waiting for your call.”
- AFTER (The Win): “I am confident that my First Class degree, combined with the data analysis skills I learned during my final year project, makes me an ideal candidate for your graduate trainee program. I have attached my CV and look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.”
Scenario 2: The Intern Applicant (SIWES/Student)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I really need this internship for my school. Please, I am pleading with you to accept me. I will do anything you say. I hope you will call me.”
- AFTER (The Win): “I am a proactive and fast-learning [Your Major] student, eager to apply my academic knowledge to real-world challenges. I am confident I can support your team and am available to discuss my application at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.”
Scenario 3: The Mid-Level Accountant
- BEFORE (The Sin): “My CV is attached for your review. I hope you will find it favourable and call me for an interview.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My track record of reducing month-end closing time by 30% is a direct match for the ‘efficiency' you're seeking. I am eager to discuss how I can bring this same result-driven approach to your team. Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you.”
Scenario 4: The Remote Job Applicant (to a foreign company)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I really want this remote job. Please, I have good internet and a generator. I will be loyal. Awaiting your response.”
- AFTER (The Win): “I am confident my 5 years of experience in remote-first environments and my expertise in Asana and Slack will make me a seamless addition to your distributed team. I am in GMT+1, fully flexible for your EST working hours, and look forward to discussing this role.”
Scenario 5: The Career Changer
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I know I don't have the experience, but I am begging you to give me a try. I am a fast learner and I won't disappoint you.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My 7 years in marketing have honed the exact communication and client-management skills needed for this Project Manager role. I am excited to demonstrate how my background translates into a unique advantage for your team and am available for an interview at your convenience.”
Scenario 6: The “Cold” Cover Letter (Speculative Application)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I know you are not hiring but please, if any job opens, remember me. I am a poor boy just trying to survive. My CV is attached.”
- AFTER (The Win): “I believe my work in [X field] could be a great asset to your team. Would you be open to a brief 10-minute chat next week about how I might be able to contribute, even if no formal role is open? Thank you for your time.”
Scenario 7: The Senior-Level Executive
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I have a lot of experience and I am the best. Call me so we can talk.” (The Arrogant Sin)
- AFTER (The Win): “My 15-year track record of leading high-performing teams and scaling revenue aligns perfectly with your goals for this new division. I look forward to a detailed discussion about the strategic value I can bring to your organization. I am available for a meeting next week.”
Scenario 8: The Creative Role (Writer/Designer)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I am a very creative person. Just give me a chance to show you. I hope you like my work.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My portfolio, which includes a successful rebrand for [Client Name], is attached for your review. I am excited by the prospect of bringing my unique visual style to your brand and am available to discuss my work further.”
Scenario 9: The Technical Role (e.g., Developer)
- BEFORE (The Sin): “My CV has all my skills. Please check it and call me.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My experience in building scalable microservices with Node.js is a direct match for your job description. I've attached my CV and a link to my GitHub, and I'm eager to discuss your technical challenges in an interview.”
Scenario 10: The Customer Service Role
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I am a very friendly person and I am good with people. Please, I need this job. I will be loyal.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My 3 years of experience in de-escalating customer issues and my 95% positive feedback rating would be a great asset to your support team. I look forward to discussing my customer-first approach with you. Thank you for your consideration.”
Scenario 11: Applying to an NGO/Non-Profit
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I have a passion for helping people. Please, I want to join you to help. I am a good person. I am awaiting your call.”
- AFTER (The Win): “My personal passion for your mission is backed by 3 years of volunteer experience in [X field]. I am eager to bring my program-coordination skills to your team and am available for an interview. Thank you for your work and your consideration.”
Scenario 12: Applying for an Internal Promotion
- BEFORE (The Sin): “Hi Oga, it's me [Name]. I want to apply for the manager role. Please consider me.” (The Over-Familiar Sin)
- AFTER (The Win): “As you know, my 3 years in this department have given me a deep understanding of our challenges. I am confident my plan to [do X] can deliver the results this new role requires. I look forward to formally discussing my application and strategy with the hiring committee.”
Scenario 13: Explaining a Career Gap
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I was sick for one year, but I am fine now. Please, don't hold it against me. I need this job.”
- AFTER (The Win): “After a planned career break, I am now eager to bring my refreshed perspective and 7 years of [Skill] to your team. I am available to discuss how my experience can benefit your company. Thank you for your consideration.” (Note: Don't explain why in the letter. Save it for the interview).
Scenario 14: The “Email” Cover Letter (Body of the email)
- BEFORE (The Sin): A copy-paste of a 2-page letter into the email body, ending with “I humbly beg you to read it and call me.”
- AFTER (The Win): A concise 3-paragraph email, ending with: “My full CV is attached for your review. I am confident I can help your team [achieve X] and am available for a brief call next week. Best regards, [Your Name].”
Scenario 15: The “Overly Religious” Sin
- BEFORE (The Sin): “I know that with God, all things are possible, and He will touch your heart to hire me. May God bless you as you consider me.”
- AFTER (The Win): Keep it professional. Your personal faith has no place in a business letter. Use any of the “After” examples above. They are professional and respectful.
Chapter 5: Deep Dive – The Professional Sign-Off (The “Valediction”)
You've written the perfect closing paragraph. Now, how do you say “goodbye”? This is the formal sign-off, and it's full of simple traps.
The Golden Rule: “Sincerely” vs. “Faithfully” (The British Standard)
This is the classic rule, and knowing it shows you're a true professional.
- Use
Yours sincerely,when you KNOW the recipient's name (e.g., you started with “Dear Mr. Adebayo,” or “Dear Ms. Okonjo,”).- Mnemonic: “S” for “Sincerely,” “S” for “Specific Name.”
- Use
Yours faithfully,when you DO NOT know the recipient's name (e.g., you started with “Dear Hiring Manager,” or the old-fashioned “Dear Sir/Ma,”).- Mnemonic: “F” for “Faithfully,” “F” for “Faceless.”
In the modern Nigerian and global market, following this rule shows you are polished and have high attention to detail.
The Modern/Global Standard (Safer & More Common)
While the rule above is excellent, the business world has become less formal. The following sign-offs are now universally accepted and safe to use in almost any situation.
Best regards,(The most common and safest choice)Kind regards,Sincerely,(Many now use this even if they don't know the name)Regards,(A bit more brief, but still professional)
My Top Recommendation: If you are ever in doubt, Best regards, is your safest, most professional bet.
Sign-Offs to AVOID (The “Unprofessional” List)
Cheers,(Too informal. Not for a first-time application).Thanks,/Thank you,(Too casual. The “thank you” belongs in your closing paragraph, not as the sign-off itself).Ciao,/Best,(Too informal).Your loyal servant,(The ultimate “begging” sin. Yes, people do this).[No sign-off at all](A major mistake. It's like hanging up the phone without saying goodbye).Yours,(Too intimate).Warmly,(Too personal).
How to Format the Sign-Off
The format is simple but crucial.
- Sign-off
- Comma
- Space (for a physical signature, but on email, just 1-2 line breaks)
- Your Typed Full Name
Correct Example:
Best regards,
Tunde Adebayo
Chapter 6: The “Postscript” (P.S.) – A Secret Weapon?
A P.S. (Postscript) is an old-fashioned letter-writing tool, but in the digital age, it has a secret power. Why? Because it stands out.
After the signature, a P.S. is often the first thing a person's eye is drawn to. It's a “one last thing” that can give you a final “wow” factor.
Use it very sparingly and only for a specific, high-value addition.
- Good Example 1 (The “Passion” Hook):
P.S. I am also a huge admirer of your recent "Lagos Future" campaign. I believe its "people-first" approach is exactly what the industry needs. - Good Example 2 (The “Extra Skill” Hook):
P.S. I also just completed my PMP certification, which isn't on my CV yet, but seems highly relevant to the Project Manager role. - Good Example 3 (The “Idea” Hook):
P.S. I have a few data-backed ideas on how you could optimize the user onboarding for your new app. I'd love to share them.
A P.S. is not for begging. It's not for “Please, I really need this.” It's a final, sharp, strategic jab of value.
Chapter 7: 10 “Instant Rejection” Mistakes When Ending a Letter
Let's summarize the key traps to avoid. If your ending does any of these, fix it now.
- The “Begging” Sin: Using any language like “plead,” “beg,” “humble,” “orphan,” “poor graduate.”
- The “Passive” Sin: Using “hope,” “wait,” or “awaiting.”
- The “Informal” Sin: Using “Cheers,” “Thanks,” or “Best.”
- The “References” Sin: Writing “References available upon request.” This is an outdated waste of space. They know.
- The “Repeating Info” Sin: Writing “My number is 080…” or “My email is…” This is what your header is for.
- The “Wrong Etiquette” Sin: Mixing up “Sincerely” and “Faithfully.” It's a small detail, but it shows a lack of polish.
- The “No Sign-Off” Sin: Ending with your closing paragraph and then just your name. It's abrupt and unprofessional.
- The “Demanding” Sin: “I expect to hear from you by Friday.” This is arrogant and rude.
- The “Personal/Religious” Sin: “May God bless you,” “Have a wonderful day.” While nice, it's not professional business communication.
- The “Typo” Sin: Spelling your sign-off wrong (e.g., “Sincerly,” or “Best Ragards,”) or, even worse, spelling your own name wrong.
Conclusion: Your Last Word is a Statement of Your Value
How you end your cover letter is a direct reflection of how you see yourself.
Do you see yourself as a “poor graduate, begging for a chance”? Or do you see yourself as a “valuable professional, offering a solution”?
The Nigerian job market is tough. The competition is fierce. You cannot afford to sound weak, desperate, or unprofessional for even one sentence. Your ending is your final handshake. Make it firm, confident, and professional.
Go back to your cover letter right now. Look at the last three lines.
Are they begging, or are they selling?
Fix it. You've got this.