Registered Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details With Complete Breakdown

Registered nurses (RNs) are a cornerstone of Nigeria’s healthcare system, providing essential patient care, administering medications, and supporting doctors in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. Despite their critical role, their salaries often face scrutiny due to economic challenges and disparities across sectors. For aspiring or practicing nurses, understanding the salary structure, influencing factors, and career prospects is vital. This article offers a comprehensive breakdown of registered nurse salaries in Nigeria for 2025, covering pay scales by experience, employer type, location, and other factors. Data is compiled from credible sources like Glassdoor, PayScale, MySalaryScale, and industry insights, adjusted for Nigeria’s 2025 economic context (exchange rate ~₦1,600/USD).

Overview of Registered Nurses in Nigeria

Registered nurses in Nigeria are licensed professionals who have completed a nursing program, either through a three-year nursing school (earning a Registered Nurse certificate) or a five-year university program (earning a Bachelor of Nursing Science, BNSc). They must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and complete a one-year internship. RNs provide patient care, monitor health conditions, administer treatments, and educate patients, working in settings like hospitals, clinics, schools, or military facilities. The role demands skills in clinical care, communication, and empathy, with specializations like midwifery, pediatrics, or anesthetics enhancing employability. The Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) governs salaries in public hospitals, while private sector pay varies widely.

Average Salary Breakdown

Registered nurse salaries in Nigeria depend on experience, qualifications, employer type, location, and specialization. Below is a detailed breakdown in Nigerian Naira (NGN) per month and year, with approximate US Dollar (USD) conversions.

General Salary Range

• Average Monthly Salary: ₦200,000 ($125 USD)
• Monthly Range: ₦80,000–₦400,000 ($50–$250 USD)
• Annual Range: ₦960,000–₦4,800,000 ($600–$3,000 USD)
• Median Salary: ₦2,400,000/year (₦200,000/month or $125 USD)
• 25th Percentile: ₦1,440,000/year (₦120,000/month or $75 USD) – 25% earn less, 75% earn more
• 75th Percentile: ₦3,000,000/year (₦250,000/month or $156 USD) – 75% earn less, 25% earn more

Salary by Experience Level

Experience is a key driver of earnings, with salaries increasing as nurses gain expertise and take on advanced roles.

• Entry-Level (0–2 years):
  • Monthly: ₦80,000–₦150,000 ($50–$94 USD)
  • Annual: ₦960,000–₦1,800,000 ($600–$1,125 USD)
  • Typical for fresh graduates or interns, often in private or state hospitals.
• Early Career (2–5 years):
  • Monthly: ₦150,000–₦200,000 ($94–$125 USD)
  • Annual: ₦1,800,000–₦2,400,000 ($1,125–$1,500 USD)
  • Common in federal hospitals or urban private facilities.
• Mid-Career (5–10 years):
  • Monthly: ₦200,000–₦250,000 ($125–$156 USD)
  • Annual: ₦2,400,000–₦3,000,000 ($1,500–$1,875 USD)
  • Includes nurses with specializations or supervisory roles.
• Senior-Level (10–15 years):
  • Monthly: ₦250,000–₦350,000 ($156–$219 USD)
  • Annual: ₦3,000,000–₦4,200,000 ($1,875–$2,625 USD)
  • Often head nurses or specialists in federal settings.
• Highly Experienced (15+ years):
  • Monthly: ₦350,000–₦400,000 ($219–$250 USD)
  • Annual: ₦4,200,000–₦4,800,000 ($2,625–$3,000 USD)
  • Includes chief nursing officers or consultants in top-tier hospitals.

Salary by Education Level

• Registered Nurse Certificate (RN, Nursing School):
  • Monthly: ₦80,000–₦200,000 ($50–$125 USD)
  • Common for entry-level nurses in private or state hospitals.
• Bachelor’s Degree (BNSc):
  • Monthly: ₦150,000–₦300,000 ($94–$188 USD)
  • Offers a 10–20% salary premium, especially in federal hospitals (CONHESS 07–08).
• Master’s Degree or Specializations:
  • Monthly: ₦250,000–₦400,000 ($156–$250 USD)
  • Includes nurses with advanced degrees or certifications (e.g., Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist).

Salary by Employer Type and Sector

• Federal Government Hospitals (e.g., LUTH, UCH):
  • Monthly: ₦150,000–₦300,000 ($94–$188 USD)
  • Annual: ₦1,800,000–₦3,600,000 ($1,125–$2,250 USD)
  • Based on CONHESS 07–15, with allowances like hazard (~₦5,000–₦10,000/month) and shift duty.
• State Government Hospitals:
  • Monthly: ₦100,000–₦200,000 ($63–$125 USD)
  • Annual: ₦1,200,000–₦2,400,000 ($750–$1,500 USD)
  • Lower than federal due to budget constraints.
• Private Hospitals/Clinics:
  • Monthly: ₦80,000–₦250,000 ($50–$156 USD)
  • Annual: ₦960,000–₦3,000,000 ($600–$1,875 USD)
  • Varies widely; top private facilities in Lagos pay up to ₦250,000/month.
• Military Nursing:
  • Monthly: ₦100,000–₦300,000 ($63–$188 USD)
  • Annual: ₦1,200,000–₦3,600,000 ($750–$2,250 USD)
  • Includes bonuses and allowances like student loan repayment.
• NGOs/International Organizations:
  • Monthly: ₦200,000–₦400,000 ($125–$250 USD)
  • Annual: ₦2,400,000–₦4,800,000 ($1,500–$3,000 USD)
  • Higher pay for roles in public health or emergency response.

Salary by Location

• Lagos:
  • Monthly: ₦150,000–₦400,000 ($94–$250 USD)
  • Highest salaries due to high demand, private facilities, and cost of living.
• Abuja:
  • Monthly: ₦120,000–₦300,000 ($75–$188 USD)
  • Competitive pay in federal hospitals and NGOs.
• Port Harcourt:
  • Monthly: ₦100,000–₦250,000 ($63–$156 USD)
  • Driven by oil and gas-related healthcare facilities.
• Other Cities (Enugu, Ibadan):
  • Monthly: ₦80,000–₦200,000 ($50–$125 USD)
  • Lower pay in less urbanized areas.
• Rural Areas:
  • Monthly: ₦80,000–₦150,000 ($50–$94 USD)
  • May include incentives like rural posting allowances.

Bonuses and Allowances

• Bonuses: Limited, typically ₦20,000–₦50,000/year ($13–$31 USD) in federal hospitals, tied to performance or holidays.
• Allowances:
  • Hazard Allowance: ₦5,000–₦10,000/month ($3–$6 USD) for exposure to health risks.
  • Shift Duty Allowance: ₦5,000–₦15,000/month ($3–$9 USD) for night or weekend shifts.
  • Call Duty Allowance: Paid for recorded on-call hours, ~₦10,000–₦20,000/month ($6–$13 USD).
  • Teaching Allowance: For nurses in academic roles, ~₦10,000/month ($6 USD).
  • Rural Posting Allowance: For underserved areas, ~₦5,000–₦10,000/month ($3–$6 USD).
• Non-Financial Benefits: Health insurance, transport, or housing in federal or NGO roles; training opportunities.

Factors Influencing Registered Nurse Salaries

Several factors shape RN salaries in Nigeria:

1. Experience: Salaries increase by ~10% every 2–3 years, with significant jumps after 5–10 years.
2. Education: BNSc holders earn 10–20% more than RN certificate holders; master’s degrees add ~58%.
3. Employer Type: Federal hospitals pay more than state or private facilities; NGOs offer competitive salaries.
4. Location: Urban centers like Lagos pay 20–50% more due to demand and living costs.
5. Specialization: Nurses in anesthetics, pediatrics, or midwifery earn 10–15% more.
6. Gender: Female nurses earn ~13% more than males, possibly due to higher female representation.
7. Economic Conditions: Inflation reduces real income, though CONHESS adjustments help.

Salary Comparison with Related Roles

RN salaries are moderate compared to other healthcare professions:

• Medical Doctor (House Officer): ₦150,000–₦200,000/month ($94–$125 USD)
• Pharmacist: ₦150,000–₦250,000/month ($94–$156 USD)
• Medical Laboratory Scientist: ₦100,000–₦200,000/month ($63–$125 USD)
• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦30,000–₦40,000/month ($19–$25 USD), significantly lower due to less training.
• Midwife: ₦100,000–₦250,000/month ($63–$156 USD), similar to RNs with dual qualifications.

Career Path and Salary Growth

RNs can boost earnings through:

• Career Moves: Switching to federal hospitals, NGOs, or international roles increases pay by 15–20%.
• Specialization: Pursuing fields like anesthetics or pediatrics adds 10–15% to salaries.
• Further Education: A master’s degree or certifications (e.g., CRNA) can double earnings.
• Leadership Roles: Head nurses or chief nursing officers earn ₦250,000–₦400,000/month.
• International Opportunities: Nurses migrating to the UK or US earn ₦2,900,000–₦6,600,000/month ($1,813–$4,125 USD).
• Side Income: Private shifts or teaching can add ₦50,000–₦100,000/month ($31–$63 USD).

Job Market and Demand

Demand for RNs in Nigeria is high due to:

• Growing population and healthcare needs.
• Shortage of nurses, with a nurse-to-patient ratio far below international standards (1:30 vs. 1:2).
• Brain drain, with many nurses migrating abroad, creating local vacancies.
  Opportunities exist in:
• Federal and state hospitals
• Private clinics and NGOs
• Military and public health programs
• Academic and training roles

Challenges and Considerations

• Low Pay in Private Sector: Some private hospitals pay as low as ₦25,000–₦40,000/month, especially for entry-level nurses.
• Workload: High patient loads and long hours without overtime pay are common.
• Delayed Salaries: Some state hospitals face payment delays.
• Infrastructure: Inadequate facilities impact job satisfaction.
• Migration: Many nurses leave for better pay abroad, reducing local expertise.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

1. Upskill: Pursue a BNSc, master’s degree, or certifications in high-demand specialties.
2. Target Federal Hospitals: Apply to institutions like LUTH or UCH for higher CONHESS-based pay.
3. Work in Urban Areas: Seek roles in Lagos or Abuja for better salaries.
4. Specialize: Train in anesthetics, pediatrics, or midwifery for a salary premium.
5. Negotiate Allowances: Advocate for hazard, shift, or call duty allowances.
6. Explore NGOs: International organizations offer competitive pay and benefits.
7. Supplement Income: Take private shifts or teaching roles.

Conclusion

Registered nurses in Nigeria earn an average of ₦80,000–₦400,000/month ($50–$250 USD), with federal hospitals and urban areas like Lagos offering the highest pay. Salaries are shaped by experience, education, employer type, and specialization, with CONHESS providing a structured scale in public hospitals. Despite challenges like low private-sector pay and high workloads, opportunities for growth exist through specialization, further education, and strategic job moves. The nursing profession remains in high demand, offering a rewarding career for those committed to healthcare. By upskilling and targeting high-paying sectors, RNs can maximize earnings and contribute to Nigeria’s healthcare system.

For more insights, visit Glassdoor, PayScale, or MySalaryScale.