Top 10 highest paying jobs in Nigeria 2024; Nigeria is arguably the African largest and most populous economy, it’s a country rich in diverse resources, human and natural resources as the case may be.

Nigerian has seen humongous growth in various sectors, despite economic and a fair share of security challenges at the moment.

Nigeria’s job market offers opportunities for well-paying jobs in several sectors such as; oil and gas, finance, telecommunications, healthcare and IT.

However, the highest paying jobs in Nigeria tend to require advanced education, specialized skills, and experience.

This guide explores some of the most lucrative professions in the country, highlighting the qualifications required, salaries, and potential career paths.

Benefits of working in Nigeria

Nigeria is a great market to hire from, with a labor force of over 80 million people, and a reputation for diligence and perseverance.

However, before you join the Nigerian labor market, it’s necessary to understand the labor laws that govern employee compensation and benefits.

Any employed individual in Nigeria, including citizens and foreign nationals working in the country are entitled to employee benefits

Mandatory benefits

Mandatory employee benefits are those legally mandated by the government, ensuring fundamental protections and entitlements for workforce.

These benefits are accommodated in the Nigerian labor laws, outlining the minimum standards that employers must adhere to.

Employee compensation Act: The employee compensation Act was passed to replace the previous workmen’s compensation Act.

The Act provides for employees who are disabled, injured, or killed during the cause of their employment.

Pension reform Act: The pension Act defines the establishment of a contributory pension scheme which applies to organizations with over 15 employees.

National health Insurance Act: The National Insurance Act establishes and empowers the NHIA to ensure the provision of health insurance for all Nigerians through a mandatory mechanism in alliance with state health insurance agencies.

National minimum wage: The national minimum wage Act prescribes a mandatory minimum wage payable to Nigerian employees. However, the Act only applies to full-time employees at organizations with over 25 employees.

A work week in Nigeria is set at a maximum of 48 hours over 5 days, with defined hourly limits for overtime work and corresponding compensations.

A work day in Nigeria is 8 hours and employees are entitled to a 1-hour break every 6 hours, these are fundamental labor laws.

Leave entitlements: Employees are entitled to minimum of 6 days of paid annual leave after completing 12 months of employment.

Additionally, sick leave extends to 12 days annually, requiring valid medical certification for compensation.

Employee must also enjoy paid leaves during the 11 public holidays declared as paid work holidays by the Nigerian government.

Maternity and paternity leave: Women working in the public sector must be granted at least 16 weeks of maternity leave, while private sector employees are entitled 12 weeks.

New fathers get up to 2 to 3 weeks paternity leave.

Pension and insurance contributions: Both employers and employees contribute to pension fund under the Pension Reform Act.

The employer contributes 10% of the employee’s salary, while the employee contribute 8% ensuring retirement savings for the employee.

Health insurance: Health insurance is a mandatory contribution for all the Nigerian employees under the National Health Insurance Act.

This means that as an employer, you must provide health insurance to your Nigerian employees.

With that out of the way, let’s look at the top 10 pick of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria, citing salaries, qualifications, and career path.

1. Petroleum Engineers

The oil and gas industry is arguably one of the most vital sectors of the Nigeria’s economy.

Petroleum engineers are saddled with the responsibility for designing and developing methods to extract oil and gas from the earth.

They are required in in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, where the majority of the Country’s oil is located.

Qualifications: You will require a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, professional certification and extensive experience in the industry will be an added advantage.

Career path: Starting as a junior engineer, you can move up the ranks to become a senior petroleum engineer, or a drilling engineer.

If you have leadership qualities, you may advance to management roles in oil companies like Shell, Chevron, or ExxonMobil.

Average salary: N6,000,000 to N20,000,000 annually.

2. Surgeon and medical doctors

Health professionals are one of the highest paid workers in Nigeria, especially surgeons and specialized doctors.

The complexity of their work and limited number of specialists in the country gave rise to this payment.

Physicians who specialize in fields like cardiology, neurology, and pediatrics often earn more.

Qualifications: You will need a medical degree, MBBL, several years of residency and specialized training for surgeons, certification from the medical and Dental council of Nigeria.

Career path: Doctors begin their careers with a general practice, however, specialization leads to higher earnings.

Doctors can become hospital consultants and directors with years of experience.

Average salary: N4,000,000 to N16,000,000 annually.

3. Information technology

Nigeria has been seeing a rapid growth in the IT sector as technology continues to advance globally.

They ensure cyber security and manage projects while they get highly paid

Banks, telecoms and e-commerce are major employers of IT managers in Nigeria.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology. Experience in network management, system analysis and IT security.

Certifications like Cisco, Microsoft, or ITIL and usually good advantages.

Career path: Professionals who start from entry-level IT roles can advance to systems administrators, network engineers, and eventually IT managers.

Average salary: N5,000,000 to N15,000,000

4. Corporate lawyers

Corporate law stands a lucrative legal specialization in Nigeria, lawyers who work for large corporations, multinational companies, and handle business transactions like mergers, acquisition are compensated handsomely.

The demand for legal service is high in the banking, oil and gas and telecommunication sectors.

Qualifications: A law degree from a recognized institution, completed law school and call to the Nigerian bar, experience with corporate law, contract law, or business litigations.

Career path: Most corporate lawyers begin as associate lawyers in law firms before advancing to senior associates or partner positions.

Those with considerable experience can rise to become legal advisers, company secretaries, or legal consultants for major corporations.

Average salary: N4,000,000 to N10,000,000 annually

5. Pilots

Pilots operate aircrafts and ensuring the safety of all passengers, crew and cargo onboard. Given the extensive training required, pilots are listed among the top earners in Nigeria.

The aviation sector offers opportunities for both commercial pilots and private pilots.

Qualifications: Commercial pilot license from an accredited aviation school, you require experience flying various types of aircraft, with additional certifications for advanced planes’

Extensive flying hours and periodic re-certification are mandatory.

Career path: Most pilots begin their careers as co-pilots before they advance to captain roles. Subsequent advancement can lead to positions as flight instructors or senior management within aviation companies.

Average salary: N3,000,000 to N8,000,000 annually.

6. Investment bankers

These are financial experts who help companies raise capital, manage financial assets, and navigate mergers and acquisitions.

They are highly sought after in Nigeria’s growing financial sector, with a focus on maximizing profits and minimizing risks. Investment bankers get well compensated, especially those working with multinational investment firms.

Qualifications: You need a degree in finance, economics, business administration, or related fields.

Professional certifications like Chattered Financial Analyst, Chattered Accountant, etc. Experience in financial modeling, valuation, and risk analysis is critical.

Career path: They often star as analysts or associates before moving into senior roles like managing director.

If you have extensive experience you may become partners in investment firms, or launch your own financial consulting business.

Average salary: N4,000,000 to N12,000,000 annually.

7. Pharmacists

Pharmacists dispense medications and advising patients on the correct use of drugs. The pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria is growing, and with the rising demand for healthcare, pharmacists are well compensated.

Many pharmacists work in private sectors for pharmaceutical companies in addition to working in hospitals and clinics.

Qualifications: You will need a degree in pharmacy, registration with pharmacist council of Nigeria, continuing education to stay updated with new drugs and treatment.

Career path: They can start their careers in hospitals or community pharmacy before transitioning to sales and research.

Experienced pharmacists may open their own pharmacies or take up managerial role with the company.

Average salary: N2,000,000 to N7,000,000 annually

8. Telecommunication engineers

This is one of the fastest growing industries in Nigeria with companies like MTN, Airtel, and Glo leading the pace.

The engineers are responsible for designing and maintaining communication systems.

Their expertise in network infrastructure and communication technologies ensure high pay.

Qualifications: You will need a degree in telecommunications engineering , electrical engineering, or related fields.

Certifications in telecommunications systems like CCNA or network engineering, you need experience in network design and maintenance.

Career path: Professionals can move into senior positions such as telecommunications manager or chief network officer.

Those with entrepreneurial skills can start their own consulting firms.

Average salary: N3,500,000 to N9,000,000 annually.

9. Civil engineers

They are responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and buildings.

Given the for improved infrastructure in Nigeria, civil engineers are highly valued, especially in large-scale projects for governments or private developers.

Qualifications: You need a degree in civil engineering, registration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering of Nigeria. Extensive experience in project management and structural design.

Career path: They begin their career working under senior engineers before taking on project management roles.

Senior civil engineers often move into leadership positions, managing large teams and overseeing complex projects.

Average salary: N3,000,000 to N10,000,000

10. Architects

They are responsible for designing buildings and ensuring their structural integrity. With the Nigeria’s growing real estate market, architects are in high demand, especially in urban areas.

Their creativity combined with technical expertise, makes for their large salaries.

Qualifications: A degree in architecture, registration with the Architects Council of Nigeria, unique experience in architectural design and project management.

Career path: They start as junior architects, however, professionals can work their way up to senior architect positions.

Experienced architects establish their own firms working on commercial and residential projects.

Average salary: N2,000,000 to N8,000,000.

What is the highest paid job in Nigeria?

There are a handful of jobs in Nigeria that attract huge pay, this is driven by expertise requirement, importance, and scarcity of professionals in such jobs.

Few of such jobs include but are not limited to;

Petroleum engineering
Pilot
Software developers
Investment banking
Construction manger, etc.

Which government job has the highest salary in Nigeria?

Energy commission of Nigeria
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
Bank of industry
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency
Bureau of public enterprises
Nigerian Communication Commission
Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, etc.

Which state pays the highest salary in Nigeria?

Lagos state pays one of the highest salaries in Nigeria, with the highest being at Lagos State Government Senior Accountant with a salary of $79,251 per year.

Which job is best for the future

Data scientist
Software Developer
Financial analyst
Project manager
Entrepreneur
Management consultant
Robotic engineer, etc.

What is a very good salary in Nigeria?

If you earn N700,000 in Nigeria, you are on the top echelon of salary earners. According to the Nigerian Bureau of statics, the minimum wage is N70k so a N700k salary puts you 10 times above the national minimum wage.

Which job is best without study

Plumber
Fitness trainer
Event planner
Nutritionist
Yoga instructor
Beauty therapist
Interior designer
Photography

What is the highest paid job from home

Senior project manager
Audit manager
Front-end developer
Information technology security specialist
Software engineer
Blogging, etc.

Conclusion