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Public Health Salary in Nigeria (2023): Is It Worth It?

Public Health Salary in Nigeria (2023): Is It Worth It?

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Public health is one of the fast growing fields in developing countries. The general population has so many needs that have to be regularly met and one of the most important, which usually tops the list, is health. This is one of the major reasons why there is always a need for health professionals. In a simple statement, public health is a popular health career that allows professionals to work with variety of people from various fields and specialization to attain a specific purpose. The field is coming a big fish in the career ocean and lots of people are beginning to move towards that line.

Public health is one of the broadest fields in the medical sector. It has lots of various areas and is as broad as you can imagine. While the profession has been seen as one of the top paying careers in Nigeria at the moment, it is also regarded among the most successful in terms of job opportunities and prospects. The profession span across a large range of spheres and activities which all focus on evaluation and regulation of public health.


public health salary in nigeria

The field is also a very dynamic one. It entertains graduates from various fields to enrol for the degree. Although some few universities offer the degree in undergraduate level, most other universities offer the course in Masters level which entertains graduates from various fields.

Here, we will take a look at how much Public Health professionals earn in Nigeria. We will also highlight the basic steps to take to become a public health professional.

How Much Do Public Health Professionals Earn in Nigeria?

Public health is gradually rating among the most noble, flexible and top paying professions in Nigeria. The fact that they mostly work with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) is one reason they are among the top earners in the medical sector. While it is widely classified under medical sector, it is so dynamic that it accommodates people from various fields, in as much as you have the Public Health certificate.


In terms of salary, they surely rate as high as many other medical professionals. Take nothing away from their bonuses and other basic allowances as well. Most of the NGOs they work with are foreign organization, hence one of the reasons their pay is on the high side. Salary aside, the flexibility and excitement in the job is another factor that attracts young professionals to the field.

On the average, Public health professionals earn between N180, 000 – N350, 000 depending on the organization. Here we will consider some NGOs and how much they pay their entry level staff.

  • FHI 360 pays N330, 000 – N370, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018
  • Danish Refugee Council (DRC) pays N230, 000 – N250, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018
  • Norwegian Refugee Council pays N230, 000 – N250, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018
  • International Medical Corps pays N180, 000 – N20, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018
  • Catholic Relief Services pays N330, 000 – N360, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018
  • Action Against Hunger pays N180, 000 – N220, 000 for Public Health Entry Level as at 2018

It should be noted that there is a significant increase in salary with time, so does bonuses and other incentives.

How to Become a Public Health Professional in Nigeria

Are you aspiring to be a public health professional in Nigeria? Well then, there are some basic steps you need to take to be certified as one. Here, we will consider the steps involved in becoming a public health professional.


  • Obtains a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health or other Related Discipline: Here, you need to obtain relevant bachelor’s degree certificate in Public health or other similar fields. Most schools in Nigeria don’t offer public health at bachelor’s degree. It is safe to settle for biological or medical science courses in undergraduate level. Courses like Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacy, Chemistry and other living science related degrees are acceptable in most cases.
  • Obtain Master’s Degree in Public Health: This is a no-brainer. If you don’t have bachelor’s degree in public health, it is essential you obtain a master’s degree in Public health. Even if you have a bachelor’s degree in the field, it is always better to go for a master’s degree in the field as it gives you and edge and makes you specialize in an area of the field.

Check Salaries of Other Professionals in Nigeria



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11 Comments

  1. Peter Okoye

    Thanks a lot for the information posted here, it has really helped my decision making process.

  2. Ozirigbo Chiamaka

    Please a need urgent help. I am a science laboratory technology student and in the B.sc the courses suggested are nursing administration, public health administration and environmental health and safety management. Please which of them is best as a science laboratory technology student that wants to still be a medical practitioner

  3. Justine James

    Thanks sir, please I have Bsc.Ed in Health Education can I do Master in Public health?

  4. Abubakar Bukar Mustapha

    Thanks you so much for the details

  5. Samuel Jacob

    thanks for that!!!!

  6. Tomiwa

    Can u have a bachelors degree in Bachelors if Science: nursing and then get a masters in public health and get the public health jobs or no?

  7. bisoye

    Thumbs up admin. This is a brilliant article. Please what’s the salary range for community health officers in Nigeria and is the CHO license really worth it?

  8. Ayoola

    Good morning pls i did Human kinetic as degree and want to go for public health for my masters can i?

  9. Adeyinka

    Good morning admin, thanks for the write up. I’m currently trying to register for masters in Public health and the universities offering the course are asking for atleast 3years experience. I’m a fresh graduate and just completed NYSC, I don’t have any work experience yet. Is it really necessary or my degree can serve as work experience? Please help. I’d be waiting on your reply. Thank you.

  10. Sulaiman A Bunu

    Public health is my concerns to prolong the well-being in our societal and nation wide.

  11. Judith

    Thanks for your support

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