Average Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details

Average Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of salaries in Nigeria for 2025, covering average wages, minimum wage, factors influencing pay, salary structures, and comparisons across sectors and regions. All figures are based on official statistics, recent reports, and reliable sources, with salaries presented in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and approximate USD conversions based on October 2024 exchange rates (1 NGN = 0.00060 USD).

Average Salary in Nigeria

The average monthly salary in Nigeria in 2025 is approximately NGN 340,000 (USD 202.86). Annually, this translates to NGN 4,080,000 (USD 2,406.34). The median salary, which reflects the middle value of earnings, is slightly lower at NGN 302,000 (USD 178.12) per month, indicating that half the population earns below this amount and half earns above.

Salaries vary significantly due to factors such as profession, industry, location, education, and experience. The salary range spans from NGN 85,700 (USD 51.42) for low earners to NGN 1,510,000 (USD 906) for high earners monthly, though actual maximum salaries in certain sectors can be higher.

Minimum Wage

The national minimum wage in Nigeria, effective from July 2024, is NGN 70,000 (USD 41.77) per month. This applies to most employers, with exemptions for:

  • Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
  • Part-time workers (less than 40 hours per week).
  • Commission-based or piece-rate workers.
  • Seasonal workers in industries like agriculture.

The previous minimum wage was NGN 30,000 (USD 17.82), established in 2019. The new minimum wage aims to address rising living costs, though inflation and economic instability continue to challenge affordability.

Factors Influencing Salaries

Several factors determine salary levels in Nigeria:

  1. Education: Higher qualifications significantly boost earnings. For example:
    • Employees with a certificate or diploma earn 17% more than high school graduates.
    • Bachelor’s degree holders earn 24% more than those with a certificate or diploma.
    • Postgraduate degree holders earn 29% more than bachelor’s degree holders.
    • Ph.D. holders earn up to 23% more than master’s degree holders.
    • University graduates earn approximately 12 times more than workers with no formal education and 4.5 times more than secondary school graduates.
  2. Experience: Salaries increase with work experience. According to Salary Explorer:
    • Employees with 10 years of experience can see their salaries double compared to entry-level workers.
  3. Location: Urban areas like Lagos offer higher salaries due to higher living costs and more job opportunities. For example:
    • Lagos-based workers may earn up to NGN 135,000 monthly for experienced roles, while rural workers earn less.
    • In Lagos, 78% of workers earn around NGN 100,000 (USD 58.98) monthly, with a median of NGN 60,000 (USD 35.39).
  4. Industry: High-paying sectors include:
    • Executive Management and Change: Average annual salary of USD 96,000 (NGN 160,000,000).
    • Financial Services: USD 59,000 (NGN 98,333,333).
    • Program Management: USD 44,000 (NGN 73,333,333).
    • Low-paying sectors include Data (USD 2,700, NGN 4,500,000 annually).
  5. Gender: Men earn 26% more than women on average, reflecting a significant gender pay gap.

Salary Structures in Nigeria

Nigeria uses various salary structures, primarily for public sector workers, established by the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission (NSIWC) since 1993. These structures are periodically reviewed. Below are key structures used in 2025:

  1. CONUASS (Consolidated University Academic Structure):
    • Used for academic staff in federal universities (e.g., ASUU members).
    • Example salaries (monthly, including allowances):
      • Assistant Lecturer: NGN 118,279 (USD 105).
      • Lecturer II: NGN 129,724 (USD 115).
      • Lecturer I: NGN 160,809 (USD 142).
      • Senior Lecturer: Varies higher.
  2. CONTISS II (Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure II):
    • Applies to non-academic staff in federal universities.
    • Example: Non-academic staff salaries range from NGN 50,000–150,000 monthly, depending on grade level.
  3. CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure):
    • For medical and dental staff in federal institutions.
    • Example: Surgeons earn up to NGN 1,260,000 (USD 2,885.78) monthly, the highest in the healthcare sector.
  4. CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure):
    • For other health workers (e.g., nurses, pharmacists) in federal institutions.
    • Salaries range from NGN 100,000–500,000 monthly, depending on role and experience.
  5. CONJUSS (Consolidated Judicial Salary Structure):
    • For judicial employees (e.g., judges, court clerks).
    • Example: Judges’ salaries start at NGN 500,000 monthly, with senior judges earning more.
  6. CONTOPSAL (Consolidated Top Federal Public Office Holders Salary Structure):
    • For top government officials (e.g., ministers, agency heads).
    • Salaries range from NGN 700,000–1,500,000 monthly, plus allowances.
  7. CONPCASS (Consolidated Polytechnic and Colleges of Education Academic Salary Structure):
    • For academic staff in polytechnics and colleges.
    • Similar to CONUASS but tailored for non-university tertiary institutions.
  8. CONRAISS (Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure):
    • For staff in federal research and training institutions.
    • Salaries range from NGN 50,000–200,000 monthly, depending on grade.

Salaries by Profession

Here’s a breakdown of salaries for select professions in 2025:

  • Primary School Teachers (public sector):
    • NCE Holders (Grade Level 07): NGN 49,000–58,000 monthly.
    • B.Ed/B.Sc Ed (Grade Level 08): NGN 59,000–68,000 monthly.
    • Senior Teachers (Grade Level 09–12): NGN 69,000–95,000 monthly.
    • Headmasters/Heads of Department (Grade Level 13–14): NGN 100,000–130,000 monthly.
    • Federal teachers or those in elite private schools may earn NGN 150,000–180,000 monthly.
  • Doctors:
    • Surgeons: NGN 1,260,000 (USD 2,885.78) monthly.
    • General practitioners: NGN 200,000–500,000 monthly, depending on experience and location.
  • Nigerian Senators:
    • Basic Salary: NGN 2,484,245.50 monthly.
    • Allowances (e.g., hardship, vehicle maintenance): NGN 13,500,000–29,000,000 monthly.
    • Total: Up to NGN 29,000,000 monthly (NGN 3 billion annually), making them among the highest-paid globally.
  • President of Nigeria:
    • Basic Salary: NGN 3,514,705 annually (after a 50% cut in 2015).
    • Allowances (e.g., consistency, hardship): NGN 10,548,113 annually.
    • Total: NGN 14,062,818 annually (USD 8,437.69).
    • Additional perks: Free accommodation (Aso Rock Villa), security, and healthcare.
  • Police Officers:
    • Level 8 Officer (Step 1): NGN 128,000 monthly.
    • Senior officers: Up to NGN 380,000 monthly, depending on rank.
  • Civil Servants (Federal, Grade Levels 01–17):
    • Grade Level 01 (Step 1): NGN 18,900 monthly (NGN 226,800 annually).
    • Grade Level 07 (Diploma Holders): NGN 43,163.75–65,041.75 monthly.
    • Grade Level 08: NGN 52,588.67 monthly.
    • Grade Level 17 (Permanent Secretary): NGN 189,273.33 monthly.

Regional Salary Variations

Salaries vary by state due to differences in living costs and economic activity:

  • Lagos: Highest salaries, with experienced teachers earning up to NGN 135,000 monthly and private sector professionals earning significantly more.
  • Abuja: Competitive salaries, especially for federal workers and political office holders.
  • Rural Areas: Lower salaries, with many earning below the median NGN 302,000 monthly.

Allowances and Benefits

Public and private sector employees often receive allowances, including:

  • Housing Allowance: Covers rent, especially for federal workers.
  • Transport Allowance: For commuting costs.
  • Hardship Allowance: For challenging work environments (e.g., senators receive NGN 1,242,122.70 monthly).
  • Pension Contributions: Mandatory for public sector workers, ensuring retirement benefits.
  • Paid Leave: 6–12 days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave, and 12 weeks of maternity leave at half pay for women.

Economic Context

Nigeria’s economy, with a GDP of NGN 45 trillion (USD 102 trillion), is classified as lower-middle-income. However, challenges like inflation, currency devaluation, and reliance on oil impact salary purchasing power. Approximately 47% of Nigerians live below the international poverty line of USD 2.15 per day, projected to rise to 52% without intervention.

Comparison with Other Countries

  • Developed Countries: Nigeria’s average salary (USD 2,406.34 annually) is significantly lower than the U.S. (USD 74,941 for Nigeria-related jobs) or the UK (USD 194,000 for the Prime Minister).
  • Developing Countries: Nigeria’s wages are comparable to other African nations but lower than countries like South Africa.
  • High-Paid Roles Globally: Nigerian senators’ earnings (USD 1,800,000 annually) rival or exceed those of leaders in developed nations, sparking public debate.

Conclusion

Salaries in Nigeria for 2025 reflect a wide range due to diverse industries, qualifications, and locations. While the minimum wage has increased to NGN 70,000, economic challenges like inflation and poverty persist. Public sector salary structures like CONUASS, CONMESS, and CONJUSS provide structured pay for federal workers, while private sector salaries, especially in executive management and finance, offer the highest earnings. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for job seekers, employers, and policymakers aiming to navigate Nigeria’s labor market.

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