Cybersecurity salaries in Nigeria vary significantly based on role, experience, education, certifications, industry, and location. The field is growing rapidly due to increasing cyber threats, with Nigeria experiencing 46,000 cyber attacks in Q1 2023 alone. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of cybersecurity salaries in Nigeria as of 2025, drawn from credible sources like PayScale, Glassdoor, Salaryexplorer, and others, supplemented by job postings and industry insights.

Salary Ranges by Role

Cybersecurity roles in Nigeria encompass various positions, each with distinct responsibilities and salary ranges. Below are the average annual salaries for common roles, based on available data:

Cybersecurity Analyst:
- Average Salary: ₦4,000,000–₦6,000,000 per year (₦333,333–₦500,000/month).
- Entry-Level (1–4 years): ₦2,400,000–₦3,600,000/year (₦200,000–₦300,000/month).
- Mid-Career (5–9 years): ₦4,956,800/year (₦413,067/month).
- Responsibilities: Monitoring networks, conducting vulnerability assessments, implementing security measures, and responding to incidents.
- Note: PayScale reports an average of ₦365,000/year (₦30,417/month), which appears low and may reflect outdated or limited data. Higher estimates from Glassdoor (₦3,000,000/year or ₦250,000/month) and MySalaryScale (₦3,084,000/year or ₦257,000/month) are more consistent with industry trends.
Ethical Hacker (Certified Ethical Hacker, CEH):
- Average Salary: ₦3,600,000–₦7,000,000/year (₦300,000–₦583,333/month).
- Salaryexplorer Estimate: ₦3,360,000/year (₦280,000/month).
- Responsibilities: Conducting penetration testing, identifying vulnerabilities, and recommending security enhancements.
- Note: Certifications like CEH can boost salaries, with 50% of professionals reporting promotions post-certification.
Information Security Analyst:
- Average Salary: ₦4,000,000–₦7,500,000/year (₦333,333–₦625,000/month).
- Glassdoor Estimate: ₦4,224,000/year (₦352,000/month, including ₦142,000 in additional pay like bonuses).
- Responsibilities: Developing security procedures, monitoring threats, and educating employees on safe cyber practices.
- Note: Salaries for those with master’s degrees can reach the higher end, around ₦6,780,000/year (₦565,000/month).
Cybersecurity Officer:
- Average Salary: ₦3,600,000–₦6,500,000/year (₦300,000–₦541,667/month).
- MySalaryScale Estimate: ₦2,736,000/year (₦228,000/month, based on limited data).
- Responsibilities: Enforcing security policies, managing access control, and developing incident response strategies.
Cybersecurity Consultant:
- Average Salary: ₦4,500,000–₦10,000,000/year (₦375,000–₦833,333/month).
- GrabJobs Estimate: ₦1,199,508/year (₦99,959/month), which seems low and may reflect entry-level roles.
- Senior Roles: Up to ₦1,379,436/year (₦114,953/month).
- Responsibilities: Providing expert advice, conducting risk assessments, and designing security frameworks.
Cybersecurity Software Engineer:
- Average Salary: ₦5,000,000–₦9,000,000/year (₦416,667–₦750,000/month).
- PayScale Estimate: ₦2,704,761/year (₦225,397/month).
- Responsibilities: Developing secure software systems, testing for vulnerabilities, and maintaining security infrastructure.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO):
- Average Salary: ₦12,000,000–₦36,000,000/year (₦1,000,000–₦3,000,000/month).
- Responsibilities: Strategic planning, risk management, and leading compliance initiatives.
- Note: CISOs in high-risk sectors like banking or oil and gas may earn significantly more.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience significantly impacts earnings in cybersecurity:

Entry-Level (0–2 years): ₦1,200,000–₦2,976,900/year (₦100,000–₦248,075/month).
Junior (2–5 years): ₦3,755,300/year (₦312,942/month).
Mid-Level (5–10 years): ₦4,956,800/year (₦413,067/month).
Senior (10–15 years): ₦5,833,500/year (₦486,125/month).
Expert (15–20 years): ₦6,457,900/year (₦538,158/month).
Executive (CISO, 10+ years): Up to ₦36,000,000/year (₦3,000,000/month).

Factors Influencing Salaries

Experience: Salaries increase with years of experience, with senior professionals earning up to 3–5 times entry-level salaries.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, or cybersecurity is typically required. Master’s degrees or certifications (e.g., CISSP, CEH, CompTIA Security+) can boost salaries by 13–37%.
Certifications: CEH, CISSP, and CompTIA Security+ holders often earn higher salaries. For example, 37% of professionals see salary increases within three months of certification.
Industry: High-risk sectors like banking, telecommunications, oil and gas, and government offer higher salaries. Multinational companies pay more than startups.
Location: Tech hubs like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt offer 20% higher salaries due to demand and higher living costs.
Specialized Skills: Expertise in penetration testing, cloud security, or SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) commands premium pay.
Bonuses: Only 48% of professionals receive bonuses, ranging from ₦33,000/year to performance-based incentives.

Additional Benefits

Bonuses and Incentives: Performance bonuses, profit-sharing, or stock options are common in larger organizations.
Non-Monetary Benefits: Health insurance, paid time off, remote work options, and sponsored certifications.
Career Growth: Professionals can expect a 13% salary increase every 19 months, higher than the national average.
Remote Opportunities: Global demand for remote cybersecurity talent allows Nigerian professionals to earn in foreign currencies through contract roles.

Job Market Insights

Demand: Nigeria’s cybersecurity market is projected to reach $345.43 million by 2029, with organizations facing 2,560 weekly cyber attacks. Demand is high in banking, telecom, and government sectors.
Job Opportunities: Over 1,313 cybersecurity vacancies were listed in May 2025, with roles in Lagos and Abuja dominating.
Remote Work: Remote roles are increasing, with salaries ranging from ₦500,000–₦1,000,000/month for mid-to-senior-level specialists.
Challenges: Some job postings offer low salaries (e.g., ₦150,000/month for roles requiring 3+ years and certifications), drawing criticism for undervaluing expertise.

Comparison with Other Professions

Minimum Wage in Nigeria: ₦70,000/month (₦840,000/year) as of 2024. Entry-level cybersecurity roles earn 2–4 times this amount.
Software Engineering: Similar salary ranges (₦2,000,000–₦9,000,000/year), but cybersecurity often commands higher pay in high-risk industries.
Global Context: In the U.S., cybersecurity professionals with master’s degrees earn a median of $110,000/year (₦181 million at ₦1,645/USD), far higher than Nigeria’s top salaries, reflecting economic disparities.

Controversies and Public Sentiment

Low Salary Offers: X posts highlight frustration with low salary offers (e.g., ₦150,000/month for experienced cybersecurity engineers with certifications like CISSP or CEH), seen as exploitative given the role’s importance.
Demand vs. Pay Gap: Despite high demand, some employers undervalue cybersecurity roles, leading to calls for better compensation.
Transparency: Salary data varies widely across sources, with PayScale reporting lower figures (e.g., ₦365,000/year for analysts) compared to Glassdoor or Salaryexplorer, causing confusion.

Education and Certification Path

Education: A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or IT takes 4 years. Diploma/HND programs take 2–3 years.
Certifications: CEH, CISSP, and CompTIA Security+ take weeks to months to complete. Bootcamps last 1–6 months.
Cost of Entry: Certifications and degrees require significant investment, but they enhance earning potential and job prospects.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity salaries in Nigeria range from ₦1,200,000/year (₦100,000/month) for entry-level roles to over ₦36,000,000/year (₦3,000,000/month) for senior executives like CISOs. Key roles like analysts, ethical hackers, and consultants earn ₦3,600,000–₦10,000,000/year, with higher pay in tech hubs and high-risk industries. Certifications, experience, and specialized skills significantly boost earnings. However, discrepancies in reported salaries and low offers for experienced professionals highlight challenges in the sector. For the latest job opportunities, check platforms like LinkedIn (1313+ vacancies as of May 2025) or Jooble.

Cybersecurity Salary In Nigeria (2025 Full Details)