For those thinking of joining the medical and non-medical staff of Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTH Lokoja) the question that often comes to mind is, “What is the salary structure, and how much can I earn?’ Once you receive the answer to that question, another thing that comes to mind is how will my compensation change over the years of my career?
This question is fundamental to leading a balanced and stable career where there is job satisfaction.
FTH Lokoja is the Federal Government’s flagship facility for tertiary healthcare. As a government facility, the compensation is based on the national salary scale and therefore the staff salary is the product of a complex system beyond the control of the hospital management.
It has been set based on the staff level, years of experience, and the grade level that fall under the rules and system put in place by the Federal Government of the Republic of Nigeria.
The Salary Distribution of FTH Lokoja:
Before we dive into the Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja salary, let’s take a closer look at the two main, underlying salary structures that affect all federal health establishments, including FTH Lokoja.
CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure).
This is the salary category for all Medical and Dental Doctors which include Consultants, Registrars and Medical Officers.
CONHESS (Consolidated Health Salary Structure).
This is for all other health workers such as Nurses, Midwives, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Radiographers, Physiotherapists as well as the Admin and Support Staff in the Health Sector.
These structures are referred to as ‘Consolidated’, which means that the basic salary together with several other allowances are merged into one monthly payment, though some minimal allowances are paid in cash.
Salary Details for Medical Doctors (CONMESS) at FTH Lokoja
Salary progression in the FTH Lokoja within the category of Medical Doctors is guided by the CONMESS scale. What we are presenting below is a rough estimate of the net monthly salary after the usual deductions such as tax, pension contribution, and union dues. These are typically a range, and the most recent reviews of the hazard allowances may influence them.
Below is the range of Doctor salary in Lokoja
| Grade Level | Position / Cadre | Approximate Monthly Salary (Net) | Key Details |
| CONMESS 1 | House Officer (Intern) | ₦180,000 – ₦220,000 | Fresh medical/dental graduate undergoing a mandatory one-year rotational internship. |
| CONMESS 2 | Medical Officer (NYSC) | ₦190,000 – ₦230,000 | A doctor serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. |
| CONMESS 3 | Medical Officer (Full) | ₦220,000 – ₦280,000 | A fully registered and licensed medical officer, often with 1-3 years of experience. |
| CONMESS 5 | Registrar (Senior) | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 | A doctor undergoing residency training to become a specialist. Salary increases with years of training. |
| CONMESS 7 | Consultant (Entry) | ₦550,000 – ₦750,000+ | A fully qualified specialist. Salary can be significantly higher with years of experience, sub-specialization, and private practice privileges. |
| CONMESS 7+ | Chief Consultant | ₦900,000 – ₦1,300,000+ | A senior consultant with substantial experience, often holding a leadership or departmental head position. |
Detailed Salary Breakdown for Other Health Professionals (CONHESS)
Nurse salary at FTH Lokoja
This is the most widely used salary structure at FTH Lokoja, covering a broad spectrum of essential health workers. The recent upward review of hazard allowances has positively impacted these net figures.
| Grade Level | Position / Cadre | Approximate Monthly Salary (Net) | Typical Qualifications & Progression |
| CONHESS 7 | Staff Nurse/Midwife, Jr. Pharmacist, Jr. Med. Lab Scientist | ₦120,000 – ₦170,000 | BNSc, B.Pharm, BMLS (Entry-level for graduates) |
| CONHESS 8 | Senior Nurse/Midwife, Pharmacist II, Med. Lab Scientist II | ₦170,000 – ₦220,000 | 2-4 years of experience and relevant professional certification. |
| CONHESS 9 | Nursing Sister/Principal, Pharmacist I, Senior ML Scientist | ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 | 5+ years of experience, often in a supervisory capacity. |
| CONHESS 10 | Asst. Chief Nursing Officer, Principal Pharmacist | ₦300,000 – ₦400,000 | Significant experience, often in a deputy department head role. |
| CONHESS 13-14 | Chief Nursing Officer, Asst. Director of Pharmacy/Lab | ₦450,000 – ₦650,000+ | Top-level management and leadership positions within their professional departments. |
| CONHESS 15 | Director of Services (Nursing, Pharmacy, etc.) | ₦750,000 – ₦1,000,000+ | The head of a major professional department at FTH Lokoja. |
Salary Structure for Non-Medical/Administrative Staff
Support staffers and administrators at Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja align with the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS). Salary falls behind varying levels in CONHESS and CONMESS.
- Entry-level (GL 04-06) – Clerical Officers, Drivers, Porters, and Health Attendants: ₦70,000 – ₦80,000.
- Mid-level (GL 07-10) – Administrative Officers, Executive Officers, and Confidential Secretaries: ₦90,000 – ₦180,000.
- Senior-level (GL 12-14) – Principal Administrative Officers: ₦220,000 – ₦400,00.
- Director Level (GL 15-17): ₦450,000 – ₦600,000
Key Allowances That Boost Take-Home Pay at FTH Lokoja
Basic salary is not the only revenue staff at FTH Lokoja receive. The staff can receive a set of different net pay boosting allowances which are listed below.
- Hazard Allowance An essential allowance for health workers due to the risk of health exposure. The allowance was significantly reviewed in 2023 and increased the net pay for all the clinical staff.
- Call Duty Allowance* A payment granted to medical and nursing staff who are on call after their working hours.
- Teaching Allowance Salary for those who participate in the teaching and clinical training of medical and nursing students, as well as other interns in a teaching hospital.
- Uniform Maintenance Allowance: Given to nurses for the upkeep of their uniforms.
- Transport Allowance: To help offset commuting costs.
- Housing Allowance (Rent Subsidy): An annual payment to assist with accommodation expenses
Factors That Influence Your Exact Salary at FTH Lokoja
Years of Experience (Step Increment): Each year, there are more salary increments in a given grade, and as you spend the point of that particular grade, you also move up the \step\ within that grade, and this gets you even more salary increments per annum.
Additional Qualifications: Getting more advanced qualifications, like a Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy, or completing professional fellowships, such as Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, Fellow of the College of Pathology of Nigeria, Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing, you might get to be on a better salary grade and possibly get other additional intellectual increases.
Promotions: With changes to your job position, ranging to a whole different grade, that is when you get the highest increases in your salary. For Example, moving to the position of CONHESS 8 and then to CONHESS 9.
Professional Body Registration: For Professional Body Registration, it is necessary to be duly registered with a professional council like MDCN, NMCN, or PCN in order to be on the right salary scale.
Conclusion: How much does FTH Lokoja pay?
The salary structure at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, is transparent, standardized, and offers a clear path for financial growth. While entry-level figures may seem modest, the structured nature of CONMESS and CONHESS, combined with regular increments and substantial allowances—especially the revised hazard allowance—provides a stable and rewarding career for healthcare professionals.