The monthly salary trends across all of Nigeria’s 36 states show trends that are important to job seekers, employers, and even academic researchers. Nigeria is a patchwork of disjointed states, both in economics and in geography, and that leads to varying salaries.
The disparities show up in career fields, costs of living, and how state governments adhere to the national minimum wage.
This guide summarizes the average monthly salary in each of Nigeria’s states for the year 2026 using National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data, human resources consulting reports, and data disclosed by trade unions in Nigeria.
National Overview — 70,000 Naira
By 2026, the national minimum wage in Nigeria will be ₦70,000. Not paying this amount will make companies legally incomparable with other companies in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, the wage disparity is a poorly kept state secret. Some states and the federal government have set the wage themselves, but primary school teachers, local governments, and primary healthcare workers have seen little to no change.
In March 2026, Nigeria’s Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, the government employee’s labor union, took to the streets to demand a new baseline wage of ₦154,000, a 120% wage increase.
Some northern youth coalitions have even called for ₦150,000, accusing governors of neglecting worker welfare despite increased federal allocations
Average Salary Ranges by State (2026 Estimates)
The table below presents estimated average monthly salaries for formal sector workers across Nigerian states. These figures combine minimum wage data, HR salary benchmarks, and cost-of-living adjustments.
| State | Estimated Average Monthly Salary (₦) | Cost-of-Living Rank | Notes |
| Lagos | 250,000 – 600,000 | High | 20–40% premium over national average due to living costs |
| Abuja (FCT) | 220,000 – 500,000 | High | Similar to Lagos; hub for government and NGOs |
| Rivers (Port Harcourt) | 200,000 – 450,000 | High | Oil & gas industry drives wages upward |
| Kano | 120,000 – 250,000 | Low | Lower inflation (9.9%); affordable living |
| Osun | 100,000 – 200,000 | Lowest | Cheapest state in Nigeria (5.3% inflation) |
| Oyo (Ibadan) | 100,000 – 220,000 | Low | Relatively affordable (11.3% inflation) |
| Ogun | 110,000 – 230,000 | Low | Border proximity to Lagos boosts wages moderately |
| Kaduna | 115,000 – 240,000 | Low | 10.4% inflation; stable cost profile |
| Bayelsa | 130,000 – 300,000 | Highest | Expensive state (27.4% inflation) |
| Sokoto | 100,000 – 200,000 | Very High | High food inflation (28%) erodes purchasing power |
| Bauchi | 100,000 – 190,000 | High | 23.7% inflation despite lower nominal wages |
| Cross River | 110,000 – 210,000 | High | 23.6% inflation |
| Edo (Benin) | 120,000 – 250,000 | Moderate | 11.2% inflation but high food inflation (19.4%) |
| Imo (Owerri) | 110,000 – 220,000 | Low | 12.0% inflation; government prioritizes agriculture |
| Other States | 90,000 – 200,000 | Varies | Most states fall within this range |
Sources: NBS Consumer Price Index (March 2026) , MaxisHR Nigeria Salary Survey 2026 , labor union disclosures.
The Most Expensive States for Workers (2026)
According to the NBS March 2026 Consumer Price Index report, the following states have the highest cost of living, meaning salaries do not stretch as far :
| Rank | State | Annual Inflation Rate | Food Inflation |
| 1 | Bayelsa | 27.4% | 33.3% |
| 2 | Sokoto | 26.0% | 28.0% |
| 3 | Bauchi | 23.7% | 18.6% |
| 4 | Cross River | 23.6% | 21.4% |
| 5 | Kwara | 22.9% | 21.7% |
| 6 | Akwa Ibom | 22.2% | 17.6% |
| 7 | Taraba | 21.2% | 15.5% |
| 8 | Niger | 20.7% | 19.0% |
| 9 | Yobe | 19.7% | 16.9% |
| 10 | Plateau | 19.6% | 15.7% |
Key Insight: In Bayelsa, food inflation hit 33.3%—the highest in the nation. Workers there face a severe cost-of-living shock even if their nominal salaries appear competitive
The Cheapest States for Workers (2026)
Conversely, these states offer lower living costs, meaning salaries go further :
| Rank | State | Annual Inflation Rate | Food Inflation |
| 1 | Osun | 5.3% | 12.1% |
| 2 | Kano | 9.9% | 4.3% |
| 3 | Kaduna | 10.4% | 10.2% |
| 4 | Jigawa | 10.7% | 10.0% |
| 5 | Edo | 11.2% | 19.4% |
| 6 | Oyo | 11.3% | 4.9% |
| 7 | Kebbi | 11.4% | 11.3% |
| 8 | Ogun | 11.6% | 12.6% |
| 9 | Katsina | 11.9% | 7.5% |
| 10 | Imo | 12.0% | 12.7% |
Note on Edo: Although Edo ranks among the cheapest states overall, its food inflation is 19.4% —much higher than the state’s general inflation rate. This means workers in Edo may still struggle with feeding costs despite a lower overall cost-of-living index
Salary by Occupation: National Benchmarks
While location matters, your profession is the single biggest determinant of your salary. Based on the MaxisHR 2026 Nigeria Salary Survey (data from 800+ employers across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt), here are average monthly salaries for key roles :
| Job Role | Junior (₦/month) | Mid-Level (₦/month) | Senior (₦/month) |
| Software Engineer | 200,000 – 400,000 | 400,000 – 800,000 | 800,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Product Manager | 400,000 – 700,000 | 700,000 – 1,200,000 | 1,200,000 – 2,200,000 |
| Data Scientist | 350,000 – 600,000 | 600,000 – 1,100,000 | 1,100,000 – 2,000,000 |
| Finance Manager | 350,000 – 600,000 | 600,000 – 1,000,000 | 1,000,000 – 1,800,000 |
| Sales Manager | 300,000 – 550,000 | 550,000 – 900,000 | 900,000 – 1,600,000 |
| Marketing Manager | 280,000 – 480,000 | 480,000 – 800,000 | 800,000 – 1,400,000 |
| HR Manager | 250,000 – 420,000 | 420,000 – 700,000 | 700,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Operations Manager | 350,000 – 580,000 | 580,000 – 950,000 | 950,000 – 1,700,000 |
Lagos Premium: Workers in Lagos typically earn 20–40% more than their counterparts in other states for the same role, reflecting the higher cost of living in Nigeria’s commercial capital
Salary by Industry (2026 Benchmarks)
Using data from Rivermate’s 2026 Nigeria compensation guide, here are estimated monthly salary ranges by sector :
| Industry | Junior (₦/month) | Mid-Level (₦/month) | Senior (₦/month) |
| Oil & Gas | 220,000 – 440,000 | 440,000 – 1,100,000 | 1,100,000 – 3,300,000+ |
| Technology | 165,000 – 330,000 | 330,000 – 770,000 | 770,000 – 2,200,000+ |
| Financial Services | 198,000 – 385,000 | 385,000 – 880,000 | 880,000 – 2,750,000+ |
| Telecommunications | 176,000 – 352,000 | 352,000 – 825,000 | 825,000 – 2,420,000+ |
| Healthcare | 165,000 – 330,000 | 330,000 – 770,000 | 770,000 – 2,200,000+ |
| Manufacturing | 110,000 – 220,000 | 220,000 – 550,000 | 550,000 – 1,650,000 |
| Retail / FMCG | 99,000 – 198,000 | 198,000 – 440,000 | 440,000 – 1,320,000 |
Oil & Gas remains the highest-paying sector, followed by Technology and Financial Services. Workers in Retail and Manufacturing generally earn the lowest wages among formal sector employees.
State-by-State Minimum Wage Implementation (2026)
A big part of how much people earn on average has to do with how strictly each state observes the ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
States with Full Implementation (State & Local Government)
Gombe State – Governor Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya made a statewide order for the full implementation of the minimum wage for Local Government employees, Local Education Authorities, and primary healthcare staff, to take effect in May 2026.
States with Partial Implementation
Yobe State – The new minimum wage law applies only to the state’s civil servants. Local Government employees, teachers, and health staff are not included. The NLC is fighting for full implementation in the state.
What This Means for Average Salaries
Where minimum wage implementation is lacking, the average salary is typically ₦100,000 or less for public sector workers. Those with full implementation of the minimum wage see higher average wages.
What This Means for Job Seekers
If you plan on accepting jobs in various states in 2026, consider the following:
1. Lagos Is High Paying, But So Is the Cost of Living
Living in Lagos with a ₦400,000 salary is comparable to a ₦250,000 salary in Osun or Kano, because of the higher cost of rent, transportation, and food. Always calculate purchasing power, not just the salary.
2. The New Remote Work Reality
Because of the predictability of remote work, especially in the tech and financial industries, expect to earn the same salary you would in Lagos while living in a lower cost state, like Oyo, Osun, or Kaduna.
3. Minimum Wage Is a Floor, Not a Ceiling
Even in states with low average salaries, specialized skills command premium pay. A software engineer in Osun earning ₦500,000 is possible—you just need to work for a Lagos-based company remotely.
4. Negotiate Based on Your Location
If you are accepting a job in Bayelsa or Sokoto (high-cost states), negotiate a cost-of-living allowance or housing support. Your ₦150,000 salary there will not go as far as the same amount in Osun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average monthly salary in Nigeria in 2026?
There’s quite a difference in average monthly salaries, depending on state and occupation, crossing professions divides all the same. Generally, mid-level professionals earn ₦200,000 to ₦600,000 each month, per the official report by MaxisHR. Entry-level jobs pay far less, and ₦2,000,000 plus can be earned by a senior executive each month.
Which state in Nigeria pays the most?
Lagos State has the highest salaries and pays 20-40% more than states neighboring them. Abuja (FCT) and Rivers State (Port Harcourt) come next as they house the most headquartered companies, oil & gas companies, and foreign organizations.
Which state in Nigeria has the least cost of living?
As far as the cost of living, Osun State is the least expensive, including the average inflation rate at 5.3% as of March 2026. Kano, Kaduna, and Oyo states follow closely as the most thriftiest states.
Is everyone in Nigeria getting the ₦70,000 minimum wage?
Definitely not. Some states, along with the federal government, have set ₦70,000 as the minimum wage, but there is, for example, a salary cap set for only state civil servants in Yobe. The new wage is not extended to local government staff, teachers, and primary healthcare workers.
What is the highest-paying job in Nigeria in 2026?
C-Suite (CEO, CFO, Country Director) positions range from ₦2,500,000 to in excess of ₦12,000,000 per month depending on the size and sector of the company and are the highest paid. Of the other roles, the highest pays are to Senior Software Engineers and Oil & Gas Engineers.
What is the prediction on the minimum wage for 2026?
Organized labor is once again placing pressure on the minimum wage, but it is currently uncertain.
References
- Daily Post Nigeria. (2026, May 1). May Day: Yobe NLC demands N70,000 minimum wage for LG workers, teachers
- MaxisHR Consultants Ltd. (2026). Nigeria Salary Guide 2026 | Average Salaries & Pay Checker
- Nairametrics. (2026, May 1). Cheapest and most expensive states to be a worker in Nigeria
- PM News(Nigeria). (2026, May 1). Yahaya celebrates workers, promises improved welfare
- Rivermate. (2026). Nigeria Minimum Wage & Pay Requirements
- Ripples Nigeria. (2026, March 17). ECONOMY: Labour demands N154,000 as new minimum wage
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