Nurses Salary in Nigeria (2024): How Much Are They paid?

Ever wondered why Nursing profession is one of the most sought after and followed professions in Nigeria? It is simple, it is regarded as one among the most reliable and secure professions in recent times. Remember those times when people that chose to pursue nursing profession were called lazy and seen as people that didn’t know what they were doing?

Those times when people didn’t see so many career opportunities in the Nursing field and that Nurses could be stranded after school? Well, there is nothing to remember because there was never a time like that. In fact, nursing profession is increasingly growing in depth, thereby expanding the opportunities for aspiring nurses.

nurses salary in nigeria

Simply put, nursing profession is one of the no-brainers, especially considering the economic situation of the country. While the salary might not be as mouth-watering and enticing as so many other professions in Nigeria, nursing profession still has much more to offer in terms of happiness, fulfilment and pleasure, especially if you have flair for the career line.

Do you want to know more about the nursing profession? Do you want to know how much nurses earn and how to easily become one? You are on the right page, reading the right information. In this post, we will take a look at salaries of nurses in Nigeria. We will also take a look at basic steps to take to become a certified nurse. So, ladies and gentlemen, shall we?

Nurses Salary: How Much Do Nurses Earn in Nigeria?

For lots of reasons, nursing profession is regarded among the most noble and respect professions in the country. The profession has been in existence even before it was officially named “nursing”. The evolution of nursing profession has not only been epic, it has been welcomed far and near, embraced in every country and seen as one of the most important fields in every country. Although nurses work with medical doctors and other medical professionals, they can also work independently, especially in fields of midwifery and other specialized nursing career paths.

When it comes to their monthly take-home though, there is no much to admire about the career, especially given the difference in salary structures in various sectors. Compared to medical doctors and some other medical professionals, the salaries of nurses are not as scintillating. Like most other medical professions, salaries of nurses vary per level of experience and sector. Private universities pay lesser salaries compared to their counterparts in Government hospitals or teaching hospitals.

On average, entry-level nurses earn N50, 000 – N80, 000 in private hospitals in Nigeria while their counterpart in government hospitals earn about N70, 000 – N120, 000. It should be noted that nurses in federal hospitals earn more than those in state hospitals. The salary structure is dependent on many factors. The consoling par for nurses in federal and State hospitals is the bonuses and allowances.

Nurses are entitled to several bonuses and allowances. They are also dependent on the level of experience. For instance, senior-level nurses earn more than entry-level nurses and have better bonuses and allowances. Generally, the salary structure for Nurses is based on two main standards: Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) which is for hospitals and Consolidated University Academic structure (CONAUSS) for Nurses in the academic sector.

Here is a breakdown of how much Pharmacists earn per level of experience.

Salaries of Nurses in Government Hospitals/Teaching Hospitals

Entry level (0 – 2 years’ experience): N70, 000 – N90, 000 (Only few hospitals pay more than this)
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N90, 000 – N110, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N100, 000 – N150, 000

Salaries of Nurses in Private Hospitals

Entry level (0 – 2 years’ experience): N50, 000 – N80, 000
Mid-Level (2 – 5 years): N70, 000 – N100, 000
Experienced (5 years and above): N80, 000 – N150, 000

It should be noted that the salary stated above is the basic salary and it excludes bonuses and other allowances nurses are entitled to.

How to Become a Nurse in Nigeria

Are you interested in pursuing a profession in Nursing? Here we will take a quick look at processes involved in pursuing a career in nursing. Here is a step by step guide on how to become a nurse in Nigeria.

Be Certified: It is essential you get necessary certificate if you want to be a recognized nurse in Nigeria. You are expected to have the compulsory SSCE certificate with at least a credit pass in the major science course including English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. You then strive to be admitted in a Nursing school or University. Typically, the duration for the nursing program is 3 years in Nursing school and 5 years in the University. You will get an associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree (BSN)

Internship: At the end of the program, you will be posted for a compulsory 1-year internship in a hospital where you will practise as a nurse and have the opportunity to relate with other professional nurses.

National Youth Service Corps: NYSC is a one-year service year where you are expected to serve your motherland. Ideally, you will be posted to a hospital in the area you are posted to.

Check Salaries of Other Professionals in Nigeria

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7 Comments

Chukwunwa
This is pretty bad. Nurse are paid very low compared to their workload. I think this should be readdressed. Its a sad thing when an intern in other profession is earning higher than a nurse working as a staff in a Govt setting.
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Collette
I’m an intern nurse and it’s really bad, other interns who do not do call duty or night duty earn as much as 116000 but we earn a paltry 89500 this is because they put them on level 8 step 2 and we have to manage with level 7 step 1 or 2 depending on your institution
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Tobiloba
Yes, the payment structure is really sad, no wonder it affect their attitude to work, the workload is too much and the pay isn’t encouraging at all.
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KelleUzozo
This is really discouraging… Going through Nursing school in the university is very stressful.I even found out from a friend that their tuition fee I same as those in medicine and surgery.5years in the university +1year internship + 1year for NYSC.Only for the person to earn N80,000 -150,000 monthly. While other less stressful courses are paid more.Not to even mention the workload in the hospital. Pls this issue should be looked into.
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yaman
very bad
very very bad
after suffering in University for good 5yrs
with huge fee’s
no no no it’s very very bad
and also discouraging ????
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Fagbemide Tosin
This is not true,I’ve been working in a federal government hospital for over 9 years and my take home is not up to 110,000 per month
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asuru chioma
my wish from childhood was to be a nurse but this is discouraging is as if my dream what to scatter just as if i go to the university to suffer, doing assignment and all that them the government will pay with small money
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