If you want to know Nurses Salary in Nigeria in 2025, this article gives you a clear breakdown of salaries of nurses in federal hospitals, state hospitals and private health centers. It also explains the salary differences by qualification, experience and location so you can understand what to expect as a new nurse or an experienced nurse working in any part of the country.
Overview of Nurses Salary in Nigeria
Nurses salary in Nigeria varies because of different factors including qualification, years of experience, type of hospital and the state where the hospital is situated. In most cases, nurses salary in federal hospitals are higher than nurses salary in state or private hospitals.
Below is a detailed breakdown of nurses salary by category.
Salary by Nursing Qualification in Nigeria
1. Registered Nurse (RN)
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Private hospitals: ₦50,000 – ₦120,000
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State hospitals: ₦90,000 – ₦160,000
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Federal hospitals: ₦120,000 – ₦180,000
2. Registered Midwife (RM)
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Private hospitals: ₦60,000 – ₦130,000
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State hospitals: ₦100,000 – ₦170,000
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Federal hospitals: ₦130,000 – ₦190,000
3. Registered Nurse Midwife (RNM)
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Private hospitals: ₦80,000 – ₦150,000
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State hospitals: ₦110,000 – ₦180,000
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Federal hospitals: ₦140,000 – ₦200,000
4. Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc)
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Private hospitals: ₦120,000 – ₦180,000
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State hospitals: ₦150,000 – ₦220,000
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Federal hospitals: ₦180,000 – ₦250,000
5. Specialist Nurses
Examples: perioperative, theatre, emergency, anesthetic, psychiatric nurses.
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Most State & Private hospitals: ₦150,000 – ₦350,000
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Federal hospitals: Up to ₦500,000
Specialist nurses earn more because they have advanced training, handle more complex and high-risk medical cases, and possess rare skills that make them highly valuable in the healthcare sector.
Nurses Salary in Private Hospitals in Nigeria
Private hospital salaries depend on the size and financial strength of the facility.
Small private clinics
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₦50,000 – ₦90,000 monthly
These clinics mostly employ fresh graduates or student nurses so that they can be able to pay them and they don’t have much patients to attend to.
Medium private hospitals
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₦90,000 – ₦150,000 monthly
These hospitals offers better payment structure and may include shift allowances too.
Large private hospitals
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₦150,000 – ₦250,000 monthly
These hospitals pay competitively and may offer benefits such as accommodation or transportation allowances to make the work more flexible for their nurses.
Nurses Salary in Government Hospitals in Nigeria
Federal hospitals
Nurses in federal institutions earn the highest because of the national salary structure called CONHESS.
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Entry level: ₦150,000 to ₦220,000 monthly including allowances
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Experienced nurses: ₦250,000 to ₦450,000 monthly
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Senior nursing officers: Up to ₦600,000 monthly
State hospitals
Salaries in state hospitals are fixed by government pay structures, offering stable earnings that vary by rank, experience, and state policies.
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Low paying states: ₦90,000 to ₦140,000 monthly
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Moderate paying states: ₦140,000 to ₦180,000 monthly
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High paying states: ₦180,000 to ₦250,000 monthly
Allowances for Nurses in Nigeria
Apart from basic salary, nurses receive different allowances that increase their total monthly pay like:
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Hazard allowance
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Shift allowance
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Call duty allowance
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Rural posting allowance
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Uniform allowance
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Teaching allowance for nurse educators
These allowances are mostly paid in government hospitals and it can vary by states but some big private hospitals pay allowances to their nurses depending on how long they have worked with them.
States That Pay Nurses the Highest In Nigeria
Nurses working in big cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt earn more mainly because the cost of living is higher. These states have:
- Higher rent
- Higher transportation costs
- Higher patient demand
Nurses in these locations commonly earn between ₦200,000 to ₦1,000,000 monthly depending on the hospital type while nurses salary in rural or low-cost states are lower even for the same job role.
Factors That Affect Nursing Salary in Nigeria
Your pay can be influenced by:
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Your qualification
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Your years of experience
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Whether you work in a federal, state or private hospital
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The state where you work
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Whether you work day or night shifts
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If you have specialist training
These factors help you understand why nurses in similar positions may earn different salaries.
Future Trends in Nurses Salary in Nigeria
The salary of nurses in Nigeria is expected to rise in coming years because:
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Demand for nurses is increasing
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Many nurses leave the country, creating shortages
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More private hospitals are expanding
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States are reviewing salary structures due to inflation
This means salaries may continue to improve gradually.
Career Growth Opportunities for Nurses in Nigeria
Nurses can grow their career and increase salary by:
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Getting a BNSc degree
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Getting a Master’s or PhD
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Specializing in high-demand areas by becoming specialist nurses
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Becoming a nursing educator
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Entering hospital management positions
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Working abroad or taking international certifications
Each level you climb increases your earning potential and boosts your overall CV incase you want to apply for federal Hospitals which pay more.
Conclusion
Nurses salary in Nigeria depend heavily on qualification, experience, hospital type, and the state you work in. Federal hospitals pay the highest, followed by large private hospitals and high-paying states. With the right qualifications and specialization, nurses can earn significantly more and grow their careers faster.
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