10 High Paying Jobs in Nigeria

Published on: March 31, 2021 (Updated on: April 22, 2024)

High paying jobs in Nigeria

Everyone's dream is to get one of those high paying jobs in Nigeria. However, most people don't end up getting this dream. Why? Is it because there are no high paying jobs in the country? Or could it be that we just don't know what jobs pay more?

Well, the truth is that there are quite a number of high paying jobs in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, nearly every industry is lucrative, only if you are hard-working. So, yes there are many high paying jobs in the country, but it's also important to realize that you won't earn the high pays if you aren't hardworking.

To start with, what makes a job high paying? 

Well, a job is high paying if there's a high demand for the products or services rendered by that profession is high. For instance, in Nigeria, there's a high demand for petroleum engineers to extract oil and gas from deposits beneath the earth.

The average Nigerian earns something between N30,000 and N150,000 monthly. However, for people with high paying jobs in Nigeria, they earn anywhere from N200,000 above. Again, to get to this level, you have to be skilful, trained and experienced in that field. So, yes, your industry might be a part of the high paying jobs in Nigeria, if you do not work hard, you're likely to earn what the average Nigerian earns.

Okay, now that we've gotten that fact out of the way, let's talk about the high paying jobs.

Below are 10 high paying jobs in Nigeria:

1. Petroleum engineering jobs in Nigeria

Nigeria is an oil-producing country so it only makes sense that the demand for petroleum engineers will be high. 

Petroleum engineering is one of the top paying jobs in Nigeria.
An oil refinery

Petroleum engineers are responsible for developing methods to extract oil and gas from the deposits in the earth. They determine suitable methods to not only extract but also preserve the oil. They determine how much oil should go into the reservoir, how much can be recovered and how quickly it can be produced.

A petroleum engineer in Nigeria earns N200,000 to N1,000,000 monthly.

2. Surgery

Life is the most valuable thing on earth so it's no surprise that professionals in the medical field are people with one of the high paying jobs in the world at large.

In Nigeria, surgeons earn between N500,000 to N2,000,000 monthly.

A surgeon is someone who can remove diseased tissues, damaged organs, replace them with transplants and also repair body systems via operative methods. A surgeon is responsible for taking the primary decisions concerning the patient's health during a surgical operation. They are in charge of leading a team of doctors, nurses and other operating room staff during such procedures.

3. Aircraft piloting

Aircraft piloting is one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria

A pilot is responsible for the operation of an aircraft. As a result, they are responsible for the safety of the passengers and crew members on the plane. As a result of the risks involved in their jobs, pilots are paid well.

The average income of a first officer pilot in Nigeria is between N200,000 and N500,000 monthly, while captains earn as much as N500,000 to N3,000,000 monthly.

4. Investment banking

An investment banker is an intermediary between government and companies/agencies. They help companies raise funds in the capital market by securing loans, issuing stocks and selling securities in the primary market.

An investment banker earns between N300,000 and N500,000 monthly which makes investment banking one of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria.

5. Programming/software development

The world is in the age of technology. We literally require technology to do nearly everything. So, it's no surprise that the people in charge of simplifying the technical process behind technology for the rest of the world to use are among the high paying professionals in the world.

A programmer is responsible for designing and developing software, application and websites. They earn between N200,000 and N600,000 monthly.

6. Entertainment jobs in Nigeria

Entertainers include musicians, actors, comedians, etc. 

The truth is that people like to relax and have some fun after a long day's work. So there is a high demand for entertainers. In Nigeria, the entertainment industry is a big and lucrative one. For instance, musicians earn up to N600,000 to N1,000,000 for making an appearance in a movie or a concert.

7. Telecom engineering jobs in Nigera

A telecom engineer is responsible for managing data for calls and text messages. They design and install equipment used for transmitting wired phone and cellular cable.

In Nigeria, the average salary of a telecoms engineer is between N200,000 and N800,000 monthly.

8. Social media influence

A social media influencer is a person who is capable of influencing the purchasing decision of others as a result of their position, authority or knowledge in their field. 

In Nigeria, a mini influencer earns between N20,000 and N50,000 per sponsored post. A macro influencer, on the other hand, earns as much as N300,000 to N500,000 per sponsored post. So, imagine doing as many as 10 posts monthly.

9. Accounting jobs in Nigeria

A chartered accountant review financial records for companies and organizations. They audit financial books to ensure that there are no errors, taxes are filed appropriately, and the company is in compliance with financial regulations.

A chartered accountant in Nigeria earns between N200,000 and N1,500,000 monthly.

10. Last but not least of high paying jobs in Nigeria is Business management

Business managers handle one of the most delicate roles in a company because the success or failure of the business lies on them. They are responsible for making decisions that are responsible for the success of the company.

In Nigeria, a business manager earns between N200,000 and N700,000 monthly.

Author: Omotosho