Overview of Nigeria's Salary Landscape
Nigeria's job market reflects significant salary variations across sectors, experience levels, and geographical locations. With Lagos and Abuja commanding higher wages due to cost of living and economic activity concentration, understanding salary benchmarks is crucial for both employers and job seekers navigating the Nigerian employment landscape.
The Nigerian minimum wage, as established by the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, is set at NGN 30,000 per month for federal workers, though state implementation varies. However, most professional roles significantly exceed this baseline.
Banking and Financial Services
The financial sector remains one of Nigeria's highest-paying industries, driven by the dominance of major banks and fintech growth.
Entry Level (0-2 years experience)
- Banking Officer: NGN 150,000 - 250,000 monthly
- Financial Analyst: NGN 200,000 - 300,000 monthly
- Credit Officer: NGN 120,000 - 200,000 monthly
- Customer Service Representative: NGN 80,000 - 150,000 monthly
Mid-Level (3-7 years experience)
- Senior Banking Officer: NGN 400,000 - 600,000 monthly
- Investment Analyst: NGN 500,000 - 800,000 monthly
- Branch Manager: NGN 600,000 - 1,000,000 monthly
- Risk Manager: NGN 450,000 - 750,000 monthly
Senior Level (8+ years experience)
- Regional Manager: NGN 1,200,000 - 2,500,000 monthly
- Chief Risk Officer: NGN 2,000,000 - 4,000,000 monthly
- Executive Director: NGN 3,000,000 - 8,000,000 monthly
Oil and Gas Industry
Despite recent challenges, oil and gas remains a premium sector for compensation in Nigeria, particularly for technical roles.
Entry Level
- Field Engineer: NGN 250,000 - 400,000 monthly
- Geoscientist (Graduate): NGN 300,000 - 500,000 monthly
- Safety Officer: NGN 180,000 - 300,000 monthly
- Production Operator: NGN 200,000 - 350,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Senior Engineer: NGN 600,000 - 1,200,000 monthly
- Operations Manager: NGN 800,000 - 1,500,000 monthly
- Drilling Supervisor: NGN 700,000 - 1,300,000 monthly
- HSE Manager: NGN 500,000 - 900,000 monthly
Senior Level
- General Manager: NGN 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 monthly
- Chief Technical Officer: NGN 3,000,000 - 7,000,000 monthly
- Managing Director: NGN 5,000,000 - 15,000,000 monthly
Information Technology and Telecommunications
Nigeria's growing tech sector offers competitive salaries, particularly for specialized skills in software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
Entry Level
- Software Developer: NGN 150,000 - 300,000 monthly
- Data Analyst: NGN 180,000 - 320,000 monthly
- Network Administrator: NGN 120,000 - 250,000 monthly
- IT Support Specialist: NGN 100,000 - 200,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Senior Software Engineer: NGN 400,000 - 800,000 monthly
- Product Manager: NGN 500,000 - 1,000,000 monthly
- Cybersecurity Analyst: NGN 450,000 - 750,000 monthly
- DevOps Engineer: NGN 400,000 - 700,000 monthly
Senior Level
- Chief Technology Officer: NGN 2,000,000 - 5,000,000 monthly
- IT Director: NGN 1,500,000 - 3,500,000 monthly
- Technical Architect: NGN 800,000 - 1,800,000 monthly
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
Medical professionals command respectable salaries, though public sector wages are generally lower than private practice or pharmaceutical industry roles.
Entry Level
- Medical Officer: NGN 200,000 - 400,000 monthly
- Pharmacist: NGN 180,000 - 350,000 monthly
- Nurse (BSc): NGN 100,000 - 200,000 monthly
- Laboratory Scientist: NGN 120,000 - 250,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Consultant (Specialist): NGN 600,000 - 1,500,000 monthly
- Senior Pharmacist: NGN 400,000 - 800,000 monthly
- Medical Director (Private): NGN 800,000 - 2,000,000 monthly
- Clinical Research Manager: NGN 500,000 - 900,000 monthly
Manufacturing and FMCG
Manufacturing offers stable employment with competitive compensation, particularly for multinational companies operating in Nigeria.
Entry Level
- Production Officer: NGN 120,000 - 220,000 monthly
- Quality Assurance Officer: NGN 140,000 - 250,000 monthly
- Sales Representative: NGN 100,000 - 180,000 monthly (plus commission)
- Supply Chain Officer: NGN 130,000 - 240,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Plant Manager: NGN 600,000 - 1,200,000 monthly
- Sales Manager: NGN 500,000 - 1,000,000 monthly
- Supply Chain Manager: NGN 450,000 - 850,000 monthly
- Operations Manager: NGN 550,000 - 1,100,000 monthly
Legal and Professional Services
Entry Level
- Associate Lawyer: NGN 150,000 - 300,000 monthly
- Legal Officer (Corporate): NGN 200,000 - 400,000 monthly
- Paralegal: NGN 80,000 - 150,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Senior Associate: NGN 500,000 - 1,000,000 monthly
- Legal Manager: NGN 600,000 - 1,200,000 monthly
- Partner (Law Firm): NGN 1,500,000 - 5,000,000 monthly
Construction and Real Estate
Entry Level
- Site Engineer: NGN 150,000 - 280,000 monthly
- Quantity Surveyor: NGN 180,000 - 320,000 monthly
- Architect (Graduate): NGN 120,000 - 250,000 monthly
Mid-Level
- Project Manager: NGN 500,000 - 1,200,000 monthly
- Construction Manager: NGN 600,000 - 1,400,000 monthly
- Real Estate Manager: NGN 400,000 - 900,000 monthly
Factors Affecting Salary Levels
Geographic Location
- Lagos: Generally 20-40% higher than national average
- Abuja: 15-30% premium over other locations
- Port Harcourt: Competitive rates for oil and gas roles
- Other states: Typically 10-25% below Lagos rates
Company Type
- Multinational corporations: Typically offer 30-50% premium
- Large Nigerian companies: Competitive with international standards
- SMEs: Generally 20-40% below large company rates
- Public sector: Lower base salaries but better benefits (to be verified for current rates)
Educational Qualifications
- Masters degree: 15-25% premium over bachelor's degree
- Professional certifications: 10-30% salary boost depending on field
- International qualifications: Significant premium in specialized fields
Note: Salary figures are estimates based on market research and may vary significantly based on individual negotiations, company policies, and current economic conditions. All figures should be verified with current market data and specific company offers.