The salary of doctors in the Nigerian Army, part of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, is governed by the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) for military personnel, with additional considerations from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for medical professionals. These doctors, often commissioned officers, provide healthcare to military personnel, their families, and sometimes civilians in military hospitals, field operations, or peacekeeping missions. Salaries vary by rank, experience, specialization, and allowances. Below is a detailed breakdown of their salary structure, ranks, allowances, and benefits for 2025, based on available information from web sources and general military salary data. Note that exact figures may vary due to limited official disclosure, economic adjustments, or unofficial reports.
Nigerian Army Medical Corps: Overview
- Role: Military doctors treat injured or sick soldiers, manage medical facilities, and provide care in diverse settings like military hospitals, war zones, or humanitarian missions. They combine medical expertise with military duties.
- Entry Requirements:
- A medical degree (MBBS) from a recognized institution.
- Registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).
- Completion of military training (e.g., Direct Short Service Commission, DSSC).
- Age typically 22-35, medical fitness, and Nigerian citizenship.
- Ranks: Doctors enter as commissioned officers, starting at ranks like Lieutenant or Captain, depending on qualifications and experience. Specialists may enter at higher ranks.
Salary Structure for Doctors in the Nigerian Army
Military doctors’ salaries are aligned with CONAFSS for their military rank, with adjustments for medical qualifications under CONMESS. Below are estimated monthly and annual salaries for 2025, based on web sources and general Nigerian Army salary data.
Commissioned Officer Ranks and Salaries (Doctors)
Doctors typically start at Lieutenant or higher ranks due to their professional qualifications, unlike non-medical officers who may start as Second Lieutenants. Salaries include base pay and may reflect medical-specific adjustments.
| Rank | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant | 200,000 – 300,000 | 2,400,000 – 3,600,000 | Entry-level for newly commissioned doctors (post-DSSC). Higher than civilian doctors due to military risks. |
| Captain | 350,000 – 500,000 | 4,200,000 – 6,000,000 | Mid-level doctors, often after a few years or with additional training. |
| Major | 500,000 – 600,000 | 6,000,000 – 7,200,000 | Experienced doctors, may include specialists in training (residents). |
| Lieutenant Colonel | 600,000 – 800,000 | 7,200,000 – 9,600,000 | Senior doctors, often specialists or consultants. |
| Colonel | 800,000 – 1,000,000 | 9,600,000 – 12,000,000 | Senior medical officers, managing hospital units or field operations. |
| Brigadier General | 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 | 12,000,000 – 18,000,000 | One-star general, often a senior consultant overseeing medical corps. |
| Major General | 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 | 18,000,000 – 24,000,000 | Two-star general, high-level medical administration. |
| Lieutenant General | 1,800,000 – 2,500,000 | 21,600,000 – 30,000,000 | Three-star general, rare for doctors, top medical leadership. |
| General | 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 | 24,000,000 – 36,000,000 | Four-star general, extremely rare for doctors (e.g., Chief of Army Staff). |
- Notes:
- Entry-Level Doctors: Newly commissioned doctors start as Lieutenants, earning ₦200,000 – ₦300,000/month, slightly higher than civilian doctors due to military responsibilities and risks.
- Specialists/Consultants: Doctors with postgraduate training (e.g., surgeons, cardiologists) at ranks like Lieutenant Colonel or higher earn ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000/month, with senior consultants potentially reaching ₦2,500,000/month as they advance to Major General.
- Average Salary: The average for military doctors is ~₦550,000/month, but specialists average ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000/month, depending on rank and experience.
- Comparison with Civilians: Military doctors earn more than entry-level civilian doctors (₦150,000 – ₦200,000/month for housemanship) due to military allowances and subsidized costs.
Allowances and Benefits
Military doctors receive additional allowances and benefits to compensate for their unique roles, combining military and medical challenges. These include:
- Specialist Allowance: Paid to doctors employed as consultants, especially in rural or high-demand areas, ~₦50,000 – ₦100,000/month.
- Hazard Allowance: For exposure to combat zones, field operations, or medical risks, ~₦30,000 – ₦75,000/month.
- Call Duty Allowance: For overtime or night shifts in military hospitals, ~₦20,000 – ₦50,000/month, depending on rank.
- Accommodation Allowance: ₦10,000 – ₦30,000/month for those not in military barracks, or free housing in military facilities.
- Transport Allowance: ₦5,000 – ₦15,000/month to cover commuting expenses.
- Uniform Allowance: ~₦10,000/year for maintaining military and medical uniforms.
- Training Allowance:
- DSSC Cadets: ₦15,000 – ₦25,000/month during training.
- Regular Cadets (NDA): ₦25,000 – ₦50,000/month.
- Operation Allowance: For deployments in conflict zones (e.g., against Boko Haram), ~₦10,000 – ₦50,000/month.
- Other Benefits:
- Free Healthcare: Access to military medical facilities for doctors and families.
- Subsidized Costs: Accommodation, transport, and utilities are often fully covered or heavily subsidized, enhancing financial stability.
- Pension Scheme: Retirement savings for long-term security.
- Educational Opportunities: Sponsorship for further medical training or specialization, often at the Nigerian Defence Academy or abroad.
- Job Security: Stable employment with clear promotion paths.
- International Missions: Additional pay for UN peacekeeping or humanitarian missions, potentially $1,000 – $2,000/month (₦1,650,000 – ₦3,300,000 at ₦1,650/$).
Factors Influencing Salaries
- Rank: Higher ranks (e.g., Colonel, Brigadier General) earn significantly more due to leadership roles and medical expertise.
- Experience: Salaries increase with years of service and promotions. For example, a Lieutenant (entry-level) may become a Captain in 2-3 years, boosting pay to ₦350,000 – ₦500,000/month.
- Specialization: Specialists (e.g., surgeons, anesthesiologists) earn more, especially at senior ranks, with consultants averaging ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000/month.
- Location: Doctors in conflict zones (e.g., Northeast Nigeria) or rural postings receive higher hazard or rural allowances.
- Economic Adjustments: Salaries may be revised to reflect inflation or government policies, though changes are rarely publicized.
Recruitment and Career Path
- How to Become a Military Doctor:
- Obtain an MBBS degree (6 years) and complete housemanship (1 year).
- Apply through the Nigerian Army DSSC, which recruits medical professionals annually.
- Undergo 6-9 months of military training at a facility like the Nigerian Defence Academy or Jaji Military Training School.
- Be commissioned as a Lieutenant or higher, depending on qualifications.
- Application: Via the Nigerian Army recruitment portal (recruitment.army.mil.ng). Requirements include 5 SSCE credits, medical fitness, and MDCN registration.
- Career Progression:
- Start as Lieutenant (₦200,000 – ₦300,000/month).
- Progress to Captain, Major, or higher with experience, specialization, or further training.
- Specialists may become consultants, reaching ranks like Lieutenant Colonel (₦600,000 – ₦800,000/month) or Brigadier General (₦1,000,000 – ₦1,500,000/month).
- Specializations: Surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, or emergency medicine, often requiring residency training (4-6 years).
Challenges with Data
- Limited Official Information: The Nigerian Army does not publicly disclose detailed salary data for medical corps personnel, leading to reliance on unofficial sources like blogs and forums.
- Discrepancies: Some sources report higher salaries for specialists (e.g., ₦2,500,000/month for senior consultants), while others cite lower figures for entry-level doctors.
- Economic Factors: Inflation and currency devaluation (e.g., ₦1,650/$ in 2025) affect real income, and salary reviews are not always publicized.
- Verification: For accurate details, consult the Nigerian Army’s official website (army.mil.ng) or recruitment offices.
Comparison with Other Professions
- Civilian Doctors:
- Housemanship: ₦150,000 – ₦200,000/month (government hospitals).
- Specialists: ₦600,000 – ₦800,000/month (federal hospitals).
- Military doctors earn slightly more at entry level (₦200,000 – ₦300,000 vs. ₦150,000 – ₦200,000) due to military allowances and subsidized costs.
- Nigerian Navy/Air Force Doctors:
- Salaries are similar under CONAFSS, with minor variations. For example, a Navy Lieutenant doctor earns ~₦200,000 – ₦300,000/month, comparable to Army Lieutenants.
- Lawyers:
- Entry-level lawyers: ₦20,000 – ₦150,000/month, significantly less than military doctors.
- Senior lawyers (e.g., SANs) may earn ₦2M – ₦5M+/month, outpacing most military doctors, but only a small percentage reach this level.
- Nigerian Air Force (Non-Medical):
- Pilot Officer: ₦187,159 – ₦200,000/month, slightly less than medical Lieutenants due to specialized medical pay.
- Senior ranks (e.g., Air Commodore): ₦677,895 – ₦800,000/month, comparable to Army medical Colonels.
Summary
- Salary Range:
- Entry-Level (Lieutenant): ₦200,000 – ₦300,000/month, higher than civilian housemanship doctors due to military allowances.
- Mid-Level (Captain/Major): ₦350,000 – ₦600,000/month, competitive with civilian medical officers.
- Specialists/Consultants (Lieutenant Colonel and above): ₦600,000 – ₦2,500,000/month, with senior consultants earning up to ₦2,500,000 at higher ranks.
- Average Salary: ~₦550,000/month for medical officers, with specialists averaging ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000/month.
- Allowances: Include specialist, hazard, call duty, accommodation, and transport allowances, ranging from ₦5,000 – ₦100,000/month, plus subsidized housing and healthcare.
- Benefits: Free healthcare, pensions, educational opportunities, and job security enhance total compensation.
- Career Path: Doctors enter as Lieutenants via DSSC, with opportunities to advance to senior ranks or specialize, boosting earnings significantly.
- Data Gaps: Limited official data requires verification through the Nigerian Army’s portal (army.mil.ng).
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, visit the Nigerian Army’s official website (army.mil.ng) or contact their recruitment offices. If you need further details, career guidance, or comparisons (e.g., with Navy doctors), let me know!