Top 40+ Highest-Paying Jobs in Nigeria

2 months ago · Updated 2 months ago

Nigeria’s job market is becoming increasingly competitive, with a wide range of industries offering lucrative opportunities for professionals. Whether you are fresh out of school or have years of experience, getting into the right company can set you on the path to financial success.

While some industries are known for high-paying roles, certain companies within these sectors stand out for their salary packages, benefits, and opportunities for career growth.

This article takes an in-depth look at the top 30 highest-paying jobs in Nigeria, focusing on the industries that offer the most competitive salaries. We’ll be exploring the top 5 highest-paying companies in each of these industries:

Banking
Engineering
Oil and Gas

IT and Technology
Law Firms
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Construction
Telecommunications
Healthcare

Each section will provide a detailed look at the top companies, average salaries for key roles, popular positions, and what it takes to get hired at these prestigious firms.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Banks in Nigeria

The banking sector in Nigeria is one of the highest-paying industries, especially for professionals in management, IT, and finance roles. The rise of digital banking has increased demand for tech-savvy professionals, but traditional roles in auditing, risk management, and operations are still highly sought after.

1. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

GTBank is a leading bank in Nigeria, known for its competitive salaries and innovative approach to banking. They have a strong corporate culture that rewards performance.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Relationship Manager, Financial Analyst, Software Engineer
How to get hired: A strong background in finance, accounting, or IT is essential. Networking and internships can also boost your chances.

2. Zenith Bank

Zenith Bank is another financial powerhouse, known for paying its employees handsomely. The bank places a strong emphasis on efficiency and customer service.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦18 million per year
Popular roles: Branch Manager, Risk Analyst, IT Systems Analyst

How to get hired: A degree in finance or business administration is highly desirable. Experience in banking or finance is a plus, and so are certifications like ICAN or CFA.

3. Access Bank

Access Bank is one of the largest banks in Nigeria and offers a range of high-paying positions, particularly in corporate banking, investment banking, and fintech.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦16 million per year

Popular roles: Corporate Banker, Credit Analyst, Software Developer
How to get hired: Access Bank looks for candidates with a background in finance, IT, or engineering. Internships and networking can help get your foot in the door.

4. First Bank of Nigeria

First Bank is one of Nigeria's oldest financial institutions, but it stays competitive with salary packages, especially for professionals in IT and digital banking.

Average salary: ₦4 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Data Analyst, Branch Manager, Software Developer
How to get hired: Strong analytical skills, a finance degree, and experience in banking or fintech will increase your chances of securing a role here.

5. United Bank for Africa (UBA)

UBA is a top-tier bank with branches across Africa. They offer competitive salaries for professionals, particularly those in management and digital banking roles.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Digital Banking Specialist

How to get hired: A degree in finance, economics, or IT is essential. UBA places a strong focus on performance, so having a track record of success in the industry will be beneficial.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Engineering Companies in Nigeria

Engineering is a highly valued profession in Nigeria, with major companies offering top-tier salaries, particularly in industries such as oil and gas, telecommunications, and construction.

1. Chevron Nigeria Limited

As one of the major players in the oil and gas sector, Chevron offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

Average salary: ₦8 million – ₦20 million per year
Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer
How to get hired: Strong experience in the oil and gas sector, along with certifications like COREN, is key.

2. Shell Nigeria

Shell is one of the largest oil companies in Nigeria, offering high salaries for engineers working on high-profile projects.

Average salary: ₦10 million – ₦22 million per year
Popular roles: Drilling Engineer, Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer

How to get hired: A degree in petroleum or chemical engineering is highly desirable. Strong technical skills are also a must.

3. Dangote Group

Dangote Group is a major player in construction and manufacturing, rewarding engineers with substantial salaries.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦18 million per year

Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer
How to get hired: Experience in large-scale manufacturing or construction projects is essential.

4. ExxonMobil Nigeria

ExxonMobil offers some of the highest salaries for engineers in the oil and gas industry, especially in offshore and onshore exploration roles.

Average salary: ₦9 million – ₦21 million per year
Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Subsea Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
How to get hired: A solid understanding of oil and gas processes is critical, along with certifications and technical competence.

5. Julius Berger Nigeria

Julius Berger is Nigeria’s biggest construction company, and engineers working here enjoy competitive salaries and a steady stream of projects.

Average salary: ₦7 million – ₦17 million per year
Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Project Engineer, Structural Engineer

How to get hired: Practical experience in large-scale construction projects is crucial.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Oil and Gas Companies in Nigeria

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is one of the highest-paying industries in the country, attracting top talent in engineering, project management, and technical roles.

1. Total Nigeria

Total is a major player in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, offering highly competitive salaries.

Average salary: ₦8 million – ₦20 million per year
Popular roles: Production Engineer, Reservoir Engineer, Mechanical Engineer
How to get hired: A strong academic background in engineering and oil and gas experience is essential.

2. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

NNPC is Nigeria’s state-owned oil corporation, offering some of the best-paying roles in the oil and gas sector.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦18 million per year
Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer

How to get hired: Excellent academic record and experience in oil exploration or refining are critical.

3. ExxonMobil Nigeria

ExxonMobil is one of the highest-paying oil companies in Nigeria, with engineers and technical staff earning top-tier salaries.

Average salary: ₦9 million – ₦21 million per year

Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Subsea Engineer, Drilling Engineer
How to get hired: A degree in a relevant engineering discipline and strong oil and gas experience.

4. Chevron Nigeria

Chevron offers some of the best salaries in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, especially for engineers.

Average salary: ₦8 million – ₦20 million per year
Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer
How to get hired: Certifications like COREN and experience in the oil and gas sector are key.

5. Schlumberger Nigeria

Schlumberger is a leading oilfield services company, offering lucrative salaries for engineers and technical professionals.

Average salary: ₦9 million – ₦19 million per year
Popular roles: Petroleum Engineer, Field Engineer, Drilling Engineer

How to get hired: Strong technical skills and experience in oilfield services.

Top 5 Highest-Paying IT and Tech Companies in Nigeria

The tech industry in Nigeria is booming, and top companies in the sector are offering competitive salaries, especially for software developers, data analysts, and IT project managers.

1. Andela

Andela is a well-known tech company in Nigeria, offering high salaries for tech professionals, particularly software developers.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Software Developer, Data Scientist, IT Project Manager
How to get hired: Strong coding skills, knowledge of programming languages, and experience in tech startups.

2. Google Nigeria

Google offers some of the highest-paying jobs in Nigeria’s tech industry, with roles in software engineering and product management leading the way.

Average salary: ₦7 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Software Engineer, Product Manager, Data Scientist

How to get hired: A solid technical background and experience in the tech industry are crucial.

3. Microsoft Nigeria

Microsoft is a major player in Nigeria’s tech scene, offering competitive salaries and excellent career growth opportunities.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year

Popular roles: Software Engineer, IT Support Engineer, Cloud Engineer
How to get hired: A degree in computer science or a related field and experience in IT or software development.

4. MTN Nigeria

As a telecom giant, MTN offers some of the best salaries for IT professionals, especially those in network engineering and software development.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦13 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, Software Developer, Data Analyst
How to get hired: A strong background in IT and networking, along with industry certifications.

5. Paystack

Paystack is a leading fintech company in Nigeria, known for paying well, especially for developers and IT support staff.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Software Developer, IT Support Engineer, Product Manager

How to get hired: Experience in fintech and coding expertise are essential.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Law Firms in Nigeria

Law firms in Nigeria pay competitive salaries, particularly to associates and partners with strong litigation or corporate law backgrounds.

1. Banwo & Ighodalo

Banwo & Ighodalo is one of Nigeria’s leading law firms, offering competitive salaries for legal professionals.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Associate, Senior Associate, Partner
How to get hired: A law degree from a top university and experience in corporate law or litigation.

2. Aluko & Oyebode

Aluko & Oyebode is known for its high-paying roles, especially for associates in corporate law and banking.

Average salary: ₦7 million – ₦16 million per year
Popular roles: Corporate Lawyer, Banking Lawyer, Litigation Specialist

How to get hired: Corporate law experience and strong academic qualifications.

3. Olaniwun Ajayi LP

Olaniwun Ajayi is one of the highest-paying law firms in Nigeria, known for handling high-profile cases and deals.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year

Popular roles: Associate, Legal Counsel, Corporate Lawyer
How to get hired: Experience in corporate law or litigation, along with a law degree from a prestigious school.

4. Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

UUBO offers competitive salaries, particularly for associates in banking, finance, and litigation roles.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Banking Lawyer, Litigation Specialist, Corporate Lawyer
How to get hired: A law degree from a top university and a strong background in corporate law.

5. AELEX

AELEX is another top-paying law firm in Nigeria, offering high salaries for associates and partners with strong corporate law backgrounds.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦13 million per year
Popular roles: Associate, Senior Associate, Partner

How to get hired: Corporate law experience and excellent academic credentials are key.

Top 5 Highest-Paying FMCG Companies in Nigeria

The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector in Nigeria offers competitive salaries, particularly for professionals in sales, marketing, and supply chain roles.

1. Nestle Nigeria

Nestle is one of the highest-paying FMCG companies in Nigeria, offering competitive salaries for professionals in marketing, sales, and supply chain management.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Brand Manager, Sales Manager, Supply Chain Manager
How to get hired: A degree in business or marketing and experience in the FMCG industry.

2. Unilever Nigeria

Unilever is a major player in Nigeria’s FMCG sector, offering lucrative salaries for professionals in marketing and operations.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦13 million per year
Popular roles: Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, Supply Chain Manager

How to get hired: A background in marketing or business administration and experience in FMCG.

3. Procter & Gamble (P&G) Nigeria

P&G is known for its competitive salary packages, particularly for professionals in marketing, sales, and product development.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year

Popular roles: Brand Manager, Sales Executive, Product Manager
How to get hired: Experience in FMCG and a degree in business or marketing.

4. Nigerian Breweries

Nigerian Breweries offers high salaries for professionals in production, sales, and marketing roles.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Production Manager, Sales Executive, Marketing Manager
How to get hired: A degree in business, marketing, or engineering, along with experience in the FMCG industry.

5. Cadbury Nigeria

Cadbury Nigeria offers competitive salaries for professionals in sales, marketing, and production management.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Sales Manager, Marketing Executive, Production Manager

How to get hired: A background in marketing or business administration, along with experience in FMCG.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Construction Companies in Nigeria

Construction is a booming industry in Nigeria, with several large companies offering high salaries for engineers, project managers, and construction workers.

1. Julius Berger Nigeria

Julius Berger is Nigeria’s largest construction company, offering high salaries for professionals in civil engineering, project management, and construction roles.

Average salary: ₦7 million – ₦18 million per year
Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Construction Manager
How to get hired: A degree in civil engineering or construction management, along with experience in large-scale construction projects.

2. Cappa & D’Alberto

Cappa & D’Alberto is a leading construction company in Nigeria, known for paying competitive salaries to engineers and construction managers.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦17 million per year
Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Project Engineer, Site Manager

How to get hired: Experience in construction management and a degree in engineering.

3. Dantata & Sawoe Construction

Dantata & Sawoe is a top construction company in Nigeria, offering high salaries for engineers and project managers.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦16 million per year

Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Structural Engineer
How to get hired: A degree in civil engineering and experience in large-scale construction projects.

4. Setraco Nigeria Limited

Setraco offers competitive salaries for professionals in civil engineering and project management roles.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Site Manager, Project Manager
How to get hired: A degree in civil engineering or construction management, along with experience in large-scale construction projects.

5. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria

CCECC is a major player in Nigeria’s construction industry, offering high salaries for engineers and construction managers.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Civil Engineer, Project Manager, Site Manager
How to get hired: A background in civil engineering and experience in large-scale construction projects.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Telecom Companies in Nigeria

Telecommunications is one of Nigeria’s most lucrative sectors, with high-paying jobs in network engineering, IT, and customer service.

1. MTN Nigeria

MTN is Nigeria’s largest telecom company, offering competitive salaries for professionals in network engineering, IT, and sales.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦15 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, IT Specialist, Sales Manager
How to get hired: A degree in IT, computer science, or telecommunications, along with industry certifications.

2. Airtel Nigeria

Airtel is one of Nigeria’s largest telecom companies, offering high salaries for professionals in network engineering, IT, and sales.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, IT Support Engineer, Sales Executive
How to get hired: A degree in IT or computer science, along with industry experience and certifications.

3. Globacom (Glo)

Glo offers competitive salaries for professionals in telecommunications, IT, and sales.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦13 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, IT Support Specialist, Sales Manager
How to get hired: A degree in IT or computer science, along with experience in the telecom sector.

4. 9mobile Nigeria

9mobile offers high salaries for professionals in network engineering, IT, and customer service.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, IT Support Engineer, Customer Service Manager
How to get hired: A background in IT or telecommunications and industry certifications.

5. Huawei Technologies Nigeria

Huawei is a major player in Nigeria’s telecom sector, offering high salaries for professionals in network engineering and IT.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Network Engineer, IT Support Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer
How to get hired: A degree in IT or computer science, along with industry certifications and experience.

Top 5 Highest-Paying Healthcare Companies in Nigeria

The healthcare sector in Nigeria offers high salaries, particularly for doctors, nurses, and medical researchers in private hospitals and clinics.

1. Reddington Hospital

Reddington is one of the highest-paying private hospitals in Nigeria, offering competitive salaries for medical professionals.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Doctor, Nurse, Medical Researcher
How to get hired: A medical degree and experience in a clinical setting.

2. Lagoon Hospitals

Lagoon Hospitals is one of Nigeria's top private healthcare providers, offering competitive pay for doctors, nurses, and administrative staff.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Doctor, Nurse, Healthcare Administrator
How to get hired: A medical or healthcare-related degree and experience in clinical practice or healthcare management.

3. St. Nicholas Hospital

St. Nicholas is a renowned private hospital in Nigeria, known for its specialized services and high salaries for healthcare professionals.

Average salary: ₦6 million – ₦14 million per year
Popular roles: Consultant, Nurse, Laboratory Scientist
How to get hired: A medical degree or relevant healthcare qualifications, along with specialized experience.

4. Eko Hospitals

Eko Hospitals is another leading healthcare provider offering attractive salaries to medical professionals, especially specialists and consultants.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦12 million per year
Popular roles: Specialist Doctor, Surgeon, Healthcare Administrator
How to get hired: Advanced medical qualifications and experience in a specialized field are essential.

5. Abuja Clinics

Abuja Clinics is known for paying well, particularly to specialist doctors and medical personnel working in various departments.

Average salary: ₦5 million – ₦13 million per year
Popular roles: Specialist Doctor, Nurse, Healthcare Consultant
How to get hired: A background in healthcare, relevant certifications, and experience in clinical or healthcare management roles.

Tips for Getting Hired by Top Companies in Nigeria

Securing a job in one of Nigeria’s highest-paying companies is competitive, but with the right strategies, you can improve your chances. Here are some tips to help you stand out:

Tailor Your CV to Each Job:

Ensure your CV or resume highlights the skills and experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Emphasize achievements and results, and make sure it passes the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) used by many companies.

Get the Right Certifications:

Depending on the industry, certifications can boost your qualifications. For instance, IT professionals should pursue certifications like Cisco or AWS, while engineers might need professional licenses.

Leverage Networking:

Many top jobs in Nigeria are filled through referrals. Network with professionals in your industry, attend relevant events, and join online platforms like LinkedIn to increase your chances of being recommended for top roles.

Prepare for Interviews:

Beyond your CV, you need to excel in interviews. Research the company thoroughly, understand its culture, and be ready to explain how your skills can help the company achieve its goals.

Continuous Learning:

Keep improving your skills. Whether it’s by taking online courses, attending workshops, or staying updated on industry trends, continuous learning will give you an edge over the competition.

To better understand the tips above, I'll recommend that you go through these three articles to better understand what you are expected to do:

Conclusion

Landing a high-paying job in Nigeria requires a combination of the right qualifications, experience, networking, and persistence. From banking to oil and gas, engineering, healthcare, and telecommunications, each industry offers lucrative opportunities for professionals who are well-prepared and determined. Follow the tips outlined above to significantly boost your chances of securing a role at one of the top-paying companies in Nigeria.

Stephen Ekpa

Stephen Ekpa is a seasoned professional with over 6 years of experience in career guidance and HR support. With a strong background in business administration, management, and human resources, Stephen Ekpa provides expert insights to help job seekers excel in their careers.