Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Nigeria Per Month
Nigeria offers numerous lucrative career opportunities for professionals across various industries. With the country’s evolving economy and growing sectors such as oil, finance, and technology, certain professions stand out due to their exceptional monthly earnings. In this article, we explore the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month, highlighting the careers that can offer significant financial rewards.
Highest Paying Jobs in Nigeria Per Month (Topmost 10)
1. Petroleum Engineer
One of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month is petroleum engineering. This career is integral to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, which plays a critical role in the country’s economy.
- Average Salary: ₦3,000,000 – ₦8,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or related field.
- Job Responsibilities: Developing methods to extract oil and gas, managing drilling operations, and optimizing production efficiency.
Petroleum engineers are highly valued in Nigeria due to the nation’s dependence on the energy sector.
2. Surgeon
Surgeons are among the top earners in the medical profession, making this role one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month. They possess specialized skills that are in high demand both in public and private healthcare sectors.
- Average Salary: ₦1,500,000 – ₦5,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Medical degree (MBBS), followed by several years of surgical residency and specialization.
- Job Responsibilities: Conducting surgeries, diagnosing complex medical conditions, and providing post-operative care.
In Nigeria, surgeons working in private hospitals or running their own practices often earn higher salaries.
3. Aircraft Pilot
Being an aircraft pilot is one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month. The aviation industry offers high financial rewards, particularly for experienced pilots flying long-haul international flights.
- Average Salary: ₦1,000,000 – ₦3,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Commercial pilot’s license (CPL) and substantial flight training.
- Job Responsibilities: Piloting commercial aircraft, ensuring passenger safety, and handling flight operations.
Nigeria’s growing air travel demand has increased the need for skilled pilots, resulting in competitive salaries.
4. Corporate Lawyer
Corporate law ranks as one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month. Lawyers who specialize in corporate law earn substantial incomes by representing large corporations and handling complex business transactions.
- Average Salary: ₦1,500,000 – ₦3,500,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB), Nigerian Law School certification, and specialization in corporate law.
- Job Responsibilities: Advising businesses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and ensuring legal compliance.
Corporate lawyers who work with multinational companies or top law firms in Nigeria enjoy high earnings.
5. IT Manager
Information Technology (IT) management is one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month, especially in the digital age. IT managers oversee tech operations, infrastructure, and cybersecurity for organizations.
- Average Salary: ₦1,000,000 – ₦4,500,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field, with certifications such as ITIL or PMP being beneficial.
- Job Responsibilities: Managing IT systems, ensuring data security, and leading technological advancements in the company.
As Nigerian businesses increasingly rely on technology, IT managers have become indispensable and are rewarded with high salaries.
6. Banking Executive
Top banking executives are among the highest earners in Nigeria. As the leaders of financial institutions, they manage the overall operations, make strategic decisions, and guide the future direction of the bank.
- Average Salary: ₦2,000,000 – ₦5,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Degree in finance, accounting, or economics, with additional management qualifications.
- Job Responsibilities: Overseeing banking operations, managing client relations, and leading financial strategy development.
Banking executives enjoy some of the highest salaries in Nigeria per month, particularly in major financial institutions.
7. Pharmacist
Pharmacists, especially those owning pharmacies or working in private hospitals, earn impressive monthly salaries. It’s one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month within the healthcare sector.
- Average Salary: ₦500,000 – ₦2,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and certification by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria.
- Job Responsibilities: Dispensing medications, providing drug advice, and managing pharmaceutical care.
With the increasing demand for healthcare services in Nigeria, pharmacists’ earnings continue to rise.
8. Civil Engineer
Civil engineers in Nigeria working on major infrastructure projects enjoy some of the highest monthly salaries. The job is critical for national development, and experienced engineers are well compensated.
- Average Salary: ₦700,000 – ₦2,500,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, along with professional certifications.
- Job Responsibilities: Designing and supervising construction projects such as roads, bridges, and public buildings.
Nigeria’s focus on improving infrastructure creates a steady demand for civil engineers, placing them among the highest paid professionals.
9. Investment Banker
Investment bankers are among the top earners in Nigeria’s finance sector. These professionals manage client investments and financial portfolios, handling everything from securities to mergers.
- Average Salary: ₦1,500,000 – ₦5,000,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, or related fields, with qualifications such as CFA.
- Job Responsibilities: Advising clients on financial investments, managing portfolios, and executing high-value transactions.
Investment banking remains one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month, especially for bankers handling corporate clients.
10. Software Developer
As Nigeria embraces digitalization, software development has become one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month. Developers working on cutting-edge projects or within the fintech sector are highly sought after.
- Average Salary: ₦600,000 – ₦2,500,000 per month
- Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, with knowledge of programming languages like Python, Java, or C++.
- Job Responsibilities: Writing and testing code, developing software applications, and collaborating with teams to deliver tech solutions.
With Nigeria’s growing tech industry, software developers command high salaries, making it a lucrative career choice.
Conclusion:
In Nigeria, professionals in industries such as oil and gas, finance, healthcare, and technology enjoy some of the highest monthly earnings. These roles offer not only financial stability but also long-term growth potential. Whether you’re considering becoming a petroleum engineer, a pilot, or an investment banker, pursuing any of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria per month can provide significant rewards. Advancing your education and gaining relevant experience are crucial steps to securing these well-paying positions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Highest Paying Jobs in Nigeria Per Month
1. What is the highest paying job in Nigeria per month?
The highest paying job in Nigeria per month is often petroleum engineering, with professionals earning between ₦3,000,000 and ₦8,000,000 per month. This high salary is due to Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy and the technical expertise required in the petroleum industry.
2. Are there high-paying jobs in Nigeria outside the oil industry?
Yes, several high-paying jobs in Nigeria exist outside the oil industry, including careers in healthcare, law, and technology. For example, surgeons and corporate lawyers earn between ₦1,500,000 and ₦5,000,000 per month, while IT managers and software developers can earn as much as ₦4,500,000.
3. What education is required for high-paying jobs in Nigeria?
Most high-paying jobs in Nigeria require advanced education or specialized training. For instance, petroleum engineers need a bachelor’s degree in engineering, while surgeons must complete medical school and residency. Additionally, many roles benefit from certifications like CFA for investment bankers or ITIL for IT managers.
4. Which tech-related job is among the highest paying in Nigeria per month?
Software development is one of the highest paying tech-related jobs in Nigeria, with salaries ranging from ₦600,000 to ₦2,500,000 per month. As Nigeria’s tech ecosystem grows, developers skilled in coding languages like Python and Java are highly sought after, especially in fintech and startups.
5. Does work experience impact the salary of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria?
Yes, work experience significantly impacts salaries in the highest paying jobs in Nigeria. For instance, an entry-level petroleum engineer might start at ₦3,000,000 per month, but with several years of experience, this can rise to ₦8,000,000 or more. Similarly, experienced surgeons and IT managers earn considerably more than those just starting out. Gaining experience in your chosen field opens doors to higher earning potential over time.
Check out our articles on the highest-paying jobs. For more on skill development, visit this skills and jobs resource. Stay updated on the latest job opportunities and career tips at visiblejobs.com.
Further insights on High Paying Jobs in Nigeria Per Month
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigerian Labour Force Statistics
Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Employment by Sector Report
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
Nigeria Labour Market Information System
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Annual Economic Report
NBS, Income and Wages by Occupation and Industry in Nigeria
World Bank, Nigeria Jobs Diagnostic
PwC, Nigeria Economic Outlook Report
NBS, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Income and Sector
KPMG, Employment Trends and Outlook in Nigeria
NBS, Nigerian Unemployment and Underemployment Report
World Bank, Nigeria Economic Monitor
International Labour Organization (ILO), Labour Market Transitions of Young Women and Men in Nigeria
The Guardian Nigeria, High-Demand Jobs in Nigeria’s Changing Economy
Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Labour Market Trends in Nigeria