You are sitting there, wondering if your paycheck’s enough to live comfortably in Nigeria.
Maybe you are hustling in Lagos, barely covering rent, or you’re in Ibadan, trying to save for a better life.
What is a good salary? One that lets you breathe, pay bills, and maybe grab some suya without sweating?
Let’s break it down with real numbers, stories, and no-nonsense insights.
We’ll look at what Nigerians earn, what “good” means, and how to make your money work harder.
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Before we look at what is a good salary in Nigeria, let’s talk about leveling up your game.
A good salary isn’t just about earning—it’s about building something bigger.
Maybe you are dreaming of a side hustle, like a blog or an online store.
That’s where Truehost Nigeria comes in.
They’re the cheapest web hosting and domain registrar in Nigeria, starting at just ₦1,500/month.
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A good salary plus a smart online presence? That’s how you win in 2025.
The Reality of Salaries in Nigeria: What’s the Baseline?
Nigeria’s economy is a wild ride.
Inflation is at 24%, and over 60% of folks live below the poverty line.
The average salary in Nigeria in 2025 is about ₦275,000/month ($170 USD), but that’s a tricky number.
Why? Because it depends on where you are, what you do, and how much experience you’ve got.
Let’s unpack the basics.
Minimum Wage: The Bare Minimum
The national minimum wage in 2025 is ₦70,000/month ($45 USD).
Sounds like a start, right?
Wrong.
In Lagos, rent for a one-bedroom can hit ₦50,000/month, and that is before food, transport, or data.
A friend of mine, Tunde, works as a bank teller in Abuja.
He earns ₦80,000/month and still splits rent with two roommates.
The minimum wage isn’t cutting it for most.
Average Salaries: What Most Nigerians Earn
Here is the deal:
- Average monthly salary: ₦275,000 ($170 USD), according to recruitment agencies.
- Median salary: ₦302,000 ($178 USD), meaning half earn less, half earn more.
- Lagos workers: 78% earn ₦100,000 or less, per a 2024 survey. Only 7% break ₦200,000.
- Top earners: Think doctors, pilots, or tech bosses pulling ₦1M+ ($2,160 USD).
Take Amaka, a teacher in Port Harcourt.
She pulls ₦120,000/month but spends half on rent and transport.
Saving? Forget it. She is in survival mode.
Compare that to Chidi, a software engineer in Lagos, banking ₦500,000/month.
He is got wiggle room for Netflix and a weekend getaway.
Your job and city make a massive difference.
What’s a Good Salary in Nigeria?
A good salary lets you cover basics, save a bit, and maybe enjoy life.
But “good” depends on your lifestyle and location.
Let’s break it down by city and needs.
Lagos and Abuja
These cities are expensive. A single person needs at least ₦400,000/month to live comfortably. Here’s why:
- Rent: ₦50,000–₦100,000 for a decent one-bedroom.
- Food: ₦30,000–₦50,000 for groceries and eating out.
- Transport: ₦20,000–₦40,000, thanks to fuel prices.
- Data/Internet: ₦10,000 for decent connectivity.
- Savings/Extras: ₦50,000+ to build a future or have fun.
@Goke__05 on X says you need ₦400,000+ in Lagos or Abuja to live “averagely.”
He is not wrong.
My cousin in Lagos, a marketing manager, earns ₦450,000.
She covers bills, saves ₦50,000, and still enjoys date nights.
That is a good salary for her.
Smaller Cities: Ibadan, Benin, Enugu
In places like Ibadan, you can stretch your money further. A good salary here starts at ₦250,000–₦300,000/month for a single person.
- Rent: ₦20,000–₦50,000 for a one-bedroom.
- Food: ₦20,000–₦40,000.
- Transport: ₦10,000–₦20,000.
- Data/Internet: ₦5,000–₦10,000.
- Savings/Extras: ₦30,000+ for emergencies or fun.
Sarah, a nurse in Benin, earns ₦280,000.
She pays ₦30,000 for rent, saves ₦40,000, and still has cash for new shoes.
That is comfortable for her city.
Family Life: Scaling Up the Numbers
Got kids? A spouse?
Your good salary jumps.
In Lagos, a family of four needs ₦800,000+/month to avoid stress.
- Rent: ₦100,000–₦200,000 for a two-bedroom.
- Food: ₦80,000–₦120,000.
- School fees: ₦50,000–₦100,000 per child.
- Transport: ₦40,000–₦80,000.
- Savings/Extras: ₦100,000+ for emergencies or investments.
@TheAyoAkinyemi on X says ₦800,000/month is needed to “live averagely” with a family.
Spot on.
What Impacts Your Salary? Key Factors
Your paycheck isn’t random.
Here is what shapes it:
- Education: Graduates earn 12x more than those with no education. A bachelor’s boosts pay by 24% over a diploma.
- Experience: More years, more money. Entry-level IT workers earn ₦400,000; seniors hit ₦1M+.
- Industry: Tech, oil, and banking pay big. Teachers and retail? Not so much.
- Location: Urban workers earn 4.5x more than rural ones. Lagos > Enugu > rural villages.
- Skills: Cybersecurity pros can earn ₦4.5M/month at the top end. Soft skills like negotiation help too.
Take Emeka, a cybersecurity guy in Lagos.
He started at ₦150,000/month, got a CEH certification, and now pulls ₦800,000. Skills and hustle changed his game.
Top-Paying Jobs in Nigeria for 2025
Want a good salary? Aim for these:
- Executive Management: ₦96,000 USD/year (₦1.3M/month).
- Financial Services: ₦59,000 USD/year (₦800,000/month).
- Petroleum Engineers: ₦5.8M/year (₦480,000/month).
- Surgeons: ₦6M+/year (₦500,000+/month).
- Software Developers: ₦1.9M/year (₦160,000/month, but seniors hit ₦500,000+).
Fun fact: Only 3% of Nigerian companies pay ₦1M+/month, per @Kynsofficial on X.
The top dogs are rare.
How to Boost Your Salary in Nigeria
Earning more isn’t just luck. Here’s how to make it happen:
- Upskill: Get certifications (e.g., CEH for cybersecurity, PMP for project management).
- Side Hustle: Start a blog or e-commerce site with Truehost Nigeria (https://truehost.com.ng). Low-cost hosting makes it easy.
- Network: LinkedIn and job boards like MyJobMag are goldmines.
- Negotiate: Ask for a raise or jump to a better-paying job.
- Go Remote: Work for international companies from Nigeria. Cybersecurity pros do this and bank ₦1M+.
Bola, a graphic designer, was stuck at ₦100,000/month.
She learned UI/UX design online, built a portfolio, and now freelances for $1,000/month.
Skills + hustle = game-changer.
Making Your Salary Work: Money Tips
A good salary isn’t just about earning—it’s about managing it. Here is how to stretch your naira:
- Budget Hard: Use the 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings).
- Cut Waste: Skip that ₦5,000 coffee. Cook more, Uber less.
- Invest: Buy stocks, crypto, or land if you can. Start small.
- Side Income: Sell something online. Truehost Nigeria can get your site up for cheap.
- Save Smart: Use apps like Piggyvest to lock away cash.
My buddy Dayo earns ₦300,000/month in Abuja.
He saves ₦50,000, invests ₦20,000, and still enjoys life.
Smart moves make his salary “good.”
The Truth About “Good” in Nigeria
A good salary in Nigeria depends on your city, job, and goals.
Single in Ibadan? ₦250,000–₦300,000 works.
Family in Lagos? Aim for ₦800,000+.
The economy’s tough—47% of Nigerians live below $2.15/day.
But with skills, hustle, and smart money moves, you can beat the odds.
Start small, upskill, and maybe launch that online business with Truehost Nigeria.
Your salary’s just the start—make it work for you.
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