Executive Assistant Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details with Complete Breakdown

Overview

Executive Assistants in Nigeria provide high-level administrative support to executives, managing schedules, communications, travel arrangements, and sensitive information. Salaries vary significantly based on experience, education, location, industry, and employer type (private or public sector). Below is a comprehensive breakdown of salary data, including base pay, additional compensation, and influencing factors.

Average Salary

Annual Salary: The average annual salary for an Executive Assistant in Nigeria is approximately ₦2,304,300 (ranging from ₦1,249,900 to ₦3,481,100).
Monthly Salary: The median monthly salary is approximately ₦179,000, with a range of ₦105,000 to ₦302,000.
Hourly Rate: The minimum hourly rate for Executive Assistants in Lagos is around ₦610, based on survey data (not the legally mandated minimum wage).

Salary by Experience Level

Experience significantly impacts salary. Below is a breakdown of monthly salaries by years of experience:

Less than 2 years: ~₦120,000
2–5 years: ~₦152,000 (26% increase from <2 years)
5–10 years: ~₦200,000 (32% increase from 2–5 years)
10–15 years: ~₦236,000 (18% increase from 5–10 years)
Executive Assistant to CEO:
- Early career (1–4 years): ~~₦1,220,838 annually (~~₦101,736/month)
- Mid-career (5–9 years): ~~₦2,947,906 annually (~~₦245,659/month)

Salary by Education Level

Higher education can increase earning potential:

No Degree: ~₦152,000/month
Bachelor’s Degree: ~₦208,000/month (37% increase)
Master’s Degree or Higher: ~₦267,000/month (29% increase from Bachelor’s)
In Lagos, an Executive Assistant with a Bachelor’s degree earns an average of ₦3,529,600 annually (~₦294,133/month).

Salary by Location

Salaries vary by region, with Lagos offering higher pay due to its economic hub status:

Lagos:
- Average: ₦175,000/month (base: ₦150,000 + ₦25,000 additional pay)
- Median: ₦2,242,500 annually (~₦186,875/month)
- Range: ₦106,000–₦320,000/month
Nationwide:
- Median: ₦172,000/month
- Range: ₦104,000–₦290,000/month
Job postings in Lagos (e.g., Victoria Island, Lekki) report salaries ranging from ₦150,000–₦2,000,000/month, with higher-end figures for roles requiring 3+ years of experience.

Additional Compensation

Additional pay (bonuses, commissions, tips, profit-sharing) varies by employer:

Nationwide: Average additional pay is ₦16,667/month (total pay: ₦166,667/month).
Lagos: Additional pay averages ₦25,000/month (total pay: ₦175,000/month).
Executive Assistant to CEO in Lagos: Additional pay can be as high as ₦706,591/month, though this is an outlier.
Benefits often include housing, transport, pensions, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), especially in corporate roles.

Salary Distribution

Median Salary: ₦2,124,400 annually (~₦177,033/month), with 50% of Executive Assistants earning below and 50% above this amount.
Percentiles:
- 25th percentile: ₦1,510,400 annually (~₦125,867/month)
- 75th percentile: Higher than ₦1,510,400 annually
Common Salary Ranges:
- 65% of salaries fall between ₦117,000–₦159,000/month.
- 20% are below ₦117,000/month.
- 10% are between ₦159,000–₦178,000/month.
- 5% exceed ₦178,000/month.

Factors Influencing Salary

Experience: More years of experience lead to higher pay, with significant jumps after 5 years.
Education: Advanced degrees (e.g., Bachelor’s or Master’s) increase earnings.
Location: Urban centers like Lagos pay more than other regions.
Industry: Private sector salaries are ~6% higher than public sector salaries.
Skills: Proficiency in office management, Microsoft Office, scheduling, and communication can boost salary by up to 127% (e.g., office management skills).
Gender: A 9% pay gap exists, with male Executive Assistants earning more on average.
Employer Type: Multinational firms (e.g., Ernst & Young Nigeria) offer higher salaries, with averages around ₦7,146,416 annually (~₦595,534/month).

Salary Increments

Executive Assistants in Nigeria receive an average salary increase of 9% every 21 months, compared to the national average of 8% every 19 months.
In Lagos, the annual pay raise is approximately 5% (calculated as (9% ÷ 21) × 12).

Comparison to Related Roles

Administrative Assistant: Median salary of ₦158,000/month (range: ₦93,100–₦267,000).
Executive Personal Assistant: Median salary of ₦197,000/month (range: ₦116,000–₦333,000).
Executive Assistant to CEO: Higher pay, with mid-career professionals earning ~₦245,659/month.

Job Market Insights

Demand: Executive Assistant roles are in demand, with job postings in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt offering salaries from ₦100,000–₦2,000,000/month.
Remote Work: Some roles offer hybrid or remote options, with salaries around ₦200,000–₦250,000/month.
Skills in Demand: Key skills include office management, scheduling, Microsoft Office, and communication, which significantly impact salary.

Strategies to Increase Earnings

Change Employers: Switching to a new company can yield a ~10% salary increase.
Advanced Education: Pursuing a Master’s degree or MBA can boost earnings, with a potential return on investment within a few years.
Skill Development: Acquiring skills like project management or office management can increase salary potential.
Experience: Managing junior assistants or gaining 5+ years of experience can lead to higher pay.

Notes

Salaries are gross figures before tax deductions. Net salaries vary due to differing tax rates across sectors and locations.
Data is sourced from salary surveys, job postings, and platforms like PayScale, Glassdoor, and SalaryExplorer, reflecting 2024–2025 trends.
Outliers (e.g., ₦2,000,000/month in Lekki) may reflect high-demand roles or inflated postings.

For further details on specific employers or roles, check platforms like PayScale, Glassdoor, or SalaryExplorer.