Federal Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details

Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the salary structure for federal nurses in Nigeria for 2025, including base salaries, allowances, benefits, and factors influencing pay, based on available data from credible sources. Federal nurses are employed in government hospitals, medical centers, or federal institutions like the Federal Ministry of Health, and their salaries are structured under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

Federal Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details with Complete Breakdown

Overview

Federal nurses in Nigeria are registered nurses (RNs) employed in federal government hospitals, medical centers, or institutions under the Federal Ministry of Health, such as the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), or Federal Medical Centres (FMCs). They provide critical patient care, including administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and collaborating with healthcare teams. Salaries are governed by the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), introduced in 2009 and effective from 2010, which standardizes pay for health professionals like nurses, pharmacists, and medical laboratory scientists (excluding doctors, who use CONMESS). Salaries vary by rank, experience, qualifications, location, and additional allowances. Below is a detailed breakdown of the salary structure, allowances, benefits, and influencing factors for federal nurses in Nigeria for 2025.

Salary Structure by CONHESS Grade Level

The CONHESS structure determines salaries based on grade levels, which correspond to qualifications, experience, and rank. Below is an estimated breakdown of monthly and annual base salaries for federal nurses, based on 2024–2025 data from sources like Naija Nurses Forum, Nigerian Queries, and Glassdoor. Figures are gross salaries before deductions.

  • CONHESS 07 (Entry-Level Registered Nurse, ND/NCE):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦80,000–₦100,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦960,000–₦1,200,000
    • Role: Entry-level for nurses with a National Diploma (ND) or Nursing Certificate from a School of Nursing, performing basic patient care.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), Nigerian Informer (2025)
  • CONHESS 08 (Registered Nurse, BSc/HND):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦90,000–₦135,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦1,080,000–₦1,620,000
    • Role: Entry-level for nurses with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nursing, with supervisory duties.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), Nigerian Informer (2025)
  • CONHESS 09 (Nursing Officer II):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦100,000–₦150,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦1,200,000–₦1,800,000
    • Role: Mid-level nurses with 2–5 years of experience, handling advanced patient care and coordination.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), Kashgain (2024)
  • CONHESS 10 (Nursing Officer I):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦120,000–₦180,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦1,440,000–₦2,160,000
    • Role: Mid-level nurses with increased responsibilities, such as ward management.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021)
  • CONHESS 11 (Senior Nursing Officer):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦150,000–₦230,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦1,800,000–₦2,760,000
    • Role: Senior nurses overseeing junior staff and managing clinical operations.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), InquireSalary (2025)
  • CONHESS 12 (Principal Nursing Officer):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦180,000–₦250,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦2,160,000–₦3,000,000
    • Role: Senior nurses with leadership roles, such as head nurse or ward manager.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), InquireSalary (2025)
  • CONHESS 13 (Assistant Chief Nursing Officer):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦230,000–₦300,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦2,760,000–₦3,600,000
    • Role: Senior leadership, managing departments or units.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), InquireSalary (2025)
  • CONHESS 14 (Chief Nursing Officer):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦280,000–₦400,000
    • Annual Salary: ₦3,360,000–₦4,800,000
    • Role: Highest nursing rank, overseeing entire nursing staff in a hospital or center.
    • Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), Kashgain (2024)
  • Federal Ministry of Health (Registered Nurse, Average):
    • Monthly Salary: ₦113,597 (base) + ₦16,583 (additional) = ₦130,180 total
    • Annual Salary: ₦1,363,164 (base) + ₦198,996 (additional) = ₦1,562,160 total
    • Range: ₦1,500,000–₦1,600,000/year (~₦125,000–₦133,333/month)
    • Role: General registered nurse duties across federal hospitals.
    • Source: Glassdoor (2023)

Allowances

Federal nurses receive various allowances to compensate for their roles’ demands and living expenses. Allowances vary by rank, location, and assignment. Common allowances include:

  • Shift Duty Allowance: ₦5,000–₦20,000/month, for nurses working night or rotating shifts, paid monthly.
  • Call Duty Allowance: ₦10,000–₦30,000/month, for nurses on call in federal hospitals, recorded on a call duty card.
  • Hazard Allowance: ₦5,000–₦25,000/month, for exposure to health risks like infectious diseases.
  • Teaching Allowance: ₦10,000–₦50,000/year, for nurses teaching at federal medical centers or teaching hospitals, paid annually (applicable from CONHESS 09).
  • Rural Posting Allowance: ₦10,000–₦30,000/year, for nurses in rural areas, paid annually.
  • Housing Allowance: ₦10,000–₦50,000/month, higher in urban areas like Lagos or Abuja.
  • Transport Allowance: ₦5,000–₦20,000/month, to cover commuting costs.
  • Uniform Allowance: ₦5,000–₦15,000/month, for maintaining uniforms.
  • Specialist Allowance: ₦10,000–₦50,000/month, for nurses with specialized certifications (e.g., Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, CRNA).
  • Total Monthly Allowances: Estimated at ₦30,000–₦150,000, with senior nurses (CONHESS 12–14) receiving higher amounts, e.g., ~₦100,000–₦150,000/month for a Chief Nursing Officer in Lagos.

Source: Naija Nurses Forum (2021), Nigerianfinder (2019), Bscholarly (2023)

Bonuses and Benefits

  • Bonuses: Approximately 30–50% of federal nurses receive performance-based or call-duty bonuses, ranging from ₦10,000–₦50,000/month, higher for senior ranks or specialized roles. Glassdoor reports average additional pay of ₦16,583/month (~₦198,996/year) for Federal Ministry of Health nurses.
  • Non-Monetary Benefits:
    • Housing: Subsidized accommodation in hospital quarters or government estates.
    • Medical Care: Free or subsidized healthcare at federal hospitals for nurses and families.
    • Pension: Contributory Pension Scheme contributions.
    • Training: Sponsored training at federal medical centers or international programs (e.g., CPR, infection control), costing ~₦50,000–₦200,000 per course.
    • Leave: Paid annual leave (30 days) and maternity leave (12 weeks).
    • Job Security: Permanent employment with pension benefits.
    • Career Development: Opportunities for promotions and specialization (e.g., pediatric nursing, nurse anesthetist).
  • Total Monthly Compensation: Including base salary, allowances, and bonuses, total pay ranges from ₦110,000–₦550,000/month, with an average of ₦130,180/month for mid-level nurses at the Federal Ministry of Health (Glassdoor, 2023).

Salary Distribution

  • Median Salary: ₦258,000/month (~₦3,096,000/year) for registered nurses, with federal nurses often at the higher end (SalaryExplorer, 2024).
  • Percentiles (SalaryExplorer):
    • 25th percentile: ₦211,000/month (~₦2,532,000/year).
    • 75th percentile: ₦295,000/month (~₦3,540,000/year).
    • 90th percentile: ₦431,000/month (~₦5,172,000/year).
  • Range:
    • 65% of salaries fall between ₦161,000–₦227,000/month.
    • 20% are below ₦161,000/month.
    • 10% are between ₦227,000–₦256,000/month.
    • 5% exceed ₦256,000/month.
  • Federal-Specific Range: ₦80,000–₦550,000/month, with senior nurses (CONHESS 14) reaching ₦400,000–₦550,000/month with allowances.

Source: SalaryExplorer (2024)

Factors Influencing Salary

  1. Rank/Grade Level: Higher CONHESS levels (e.g., 12–14) yield significantly higher salaries due to increased responsibilities.
  2. Qualifications:
    • ND/NCE (School of Nursing): Starts at CONHESS 07 (₦80,000–₦100,000/month).
    • BSc/HND: Starts at CONHESS 08 (₦90,000–₦135,000/month), with faster progression.
    • Master’s Degree or Specialization (e.g., CRNA): Increases pay by 20–50%, up to ₦250,000–₦400,000/month for senior roles.
  3. Experience:
    • 0–2 years: ₦80,000–₦150,000/month (CONHESS 07–08).
    • 2–5 years: ₦128,000–₦207,000/month (CONHESS 09–10), a 29% increase (InquireSalary, 2025).
    • 5–10 years: ₦171,000–₦230,000/month (CONHESS 11).
    • 10–15 years: ₦203,000–₦300,000/month (CONHESS 12–13).
    • 15+ years: ₦250,000–₦400,000/month (CONHESS 14).
  4. Location:
    • Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt: Higher allowances (15–20% more) due to cost of living and demand.
    • Rural Areas: Lower base salaries but potential rural posting allowances.
  5. Specialization: Specialties like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), pediatric nursing, or nurse educator roles pay 20–50% more (e.g., ₦200,000–₦380,000/month for nurse educators).
  6. Employer: Federal hospitals (e.g., LUTH, UCH) pay more than state hospitals, with federal nurses earning 6% more than private sector nurses on average (SalaryExplorer, 2024).
  7. Gender: Female nurses earn slightly more (₦289,000/month) than male nurses (₦257,000/month), a 13% gap (InquireSalary, 2025).
  8. Economic Factors: Inflation and currency devaluation (1 NGN = 0.00059 USD in 2025) reduce real income, prompting calls for salary adjustments.

Salary Progression

  • Entry-Level (0–3 years):
    • CONHESS 07–08: ₦80,000–₦135,000/month, total pay with allowances ~₦110,000–₦200,000/month.
  • Mid-Career (4–9 years):
    • CONHESS 09–11: ₦100,000–₦230,000/month, total pay ~₦150,000–₦350,000/month.
  • Senior-Level (10+ years):
    • CONHESS 12–14: ₦180,000–₦400,000/month, total pay ~₦280,000–₦550,000/month.
  • Salary Increments: Average 5% increase every 12 months, with promotions every 3–5 years based on performance, qualifications, and vacancies (SalaryExplorer, 2024).
  • Career Path: Progression to roles like Principal Nursing Officer or Chief Nursing Officer can yield ₦250,000–₦550,000/month after 10–15 years.

Job Market Insights

  • Demand: High demand due to Nigeria’s growing population and healthcare needs, with ~1,000–2,000 nursing vacancies annually in federal hospitals (NMCN, 2024).
  • Key Employers: Federal Ministry of Health, LUTH, UCH, FMC Ebute-Metta, FMC Owerri, National Hospital Abuja.
  • Roles:
    • Registered Nurse (CONHESS 07–08): Basic patient care (~₦80,000–₦135,000/month).
    • Nursing Officer (CONHESS 09–11): Ward management (~₦100,000–₦230,000/month).
    • Chief Nursing Officer (CONHESS 14): Leadership roles (~₦280,000–₦400,000/month).
  • Work Conditions: 40–60-hour workweeks, including night shifts and call duties. High-stress environments with exposure to infectious diseases.
  • Training Requirements:
    • Minimum SSCE with credits in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
    • 3-year School of Nursing (RN, ND) or 5-year university program (BSc/HND).
    • 1-year mandatory internship in a hospital.
    • Valid license from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
    • Optional certifications (e.g., CPR, CRNA) cost ~₦50,000–₦200,000.
  • Challenges:
    • Low entry-level salaries (~₦80,000/month) relative to workload and risks.
    • Staff shortages, increasing workload (NMCN, 2024).
    • Agitations for better remuneration, with NANNM advocating for salary increases (Punch, 2024).
    • Migration of nurses abroad due to better pay (e.g., Switzerland: ₦67,974,500/year).

Strategies to Increase Earnings

  1. Earn Certifications: Obtain specialties like CRNA or pediatric nursing to boost pay by 20–50%.
  2. Gain Experience: Serve 3–5 years to qualify for promotions to CONHESS 09–11.
  3. Pursue Higher Education: A BSc/HND or Master’s degree increases starting rank to CONHESS 08 or higher.
  4. Relocate: Work in urban centers like Lagos or Abuja for higher allowances.
  5. Supplement Income: Take extra shifts or part-time teaching roles (~₦50,000–₦100,000/month extra).
  6. Advocate: Join NANNM to push for salary structure improvements.

Notes

  • Salaries are gross figures before tax and pension deductions. Net salaries vary (e.g., ~70–80% of gross after deductions).
  • Data is sourced from Glassdoor, SalaryExplorer, Naija Nurses Forum, InquireSalary, Nigerianfinder, and others, reflecting 2024–2025 trends.
  • Outliers (e.g., $88,764/year or ~₦15,090,000/year from Salary.com) likely reflect expatriate roles or data errors, not typical federal salaries.
  • Federal nurses earn 6% more than private sector nurses and more than state hospital nurses (SalaryExplorer, 2024).
  • Inflation and currency devaluation (1 NGN = 0.00059 USD in 2025) reduce real income, prompting calls for CONHESS adjustments.
  • For further details, explore Glassdoor, SalaryExplorer, Naija Nurses Forum, or NMCN.

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