The food sector in Nigeria is not just changing; it’s booming. This advancement comes with a higher need for Food Technologists, which are people tasked with the responsibilities of scientifically developing, testing, and producing food products that are used all over the country and even overseas.
If you wish to pursue a career as a Food Technologist, or if you are simply interested in the financial prospects of this field, you may want to know Food Technologist Salary in Nigeria for 2025.
Here, we put together a detailed projection of what we expect salaries for Food Technologists in Nigeria will look like in 2025.
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What Does A Food Technologist Do?
There are several important things to note about a Food Technologist before we consider salaries.
These professionals work on the invention, innovation, and modification of food items and the processes involved in producing them.
Some of these include processes such as:
- Developing recipes and formulations for food products
- Using innovations in packaging design to improve sustainability
- Developing processes for more effective preservation of food products to ensure safety and extend shelf life
- Testing food products for their nutrition value
- Ensuring food products are compliant with established laws and standard measures of the government and other regulatory bodies.
Average Salary of Food Technologists in 2025
Considering the current trends and projections in some sectors of the economy, here is a summary for expected salaries in Nigeria in 2025 based on experience, research and data obtained from people who work as food Technologists.
According to data obtained from World Salaries, the Average Annual Salary of a food technologist in Nigeria is 2,086,500 NGN while the average monthly salary is 173,875 NGN.
Food Technologist Salary by Experience Level in Nigeria
Entry-Level Food Technologists
0 – 2 Years Experience (Monthly Salary Range): ₦80,000 – ₦150,000 .
Entry-level roles like Quality Assurance Assistants and Food Lab Technicians are usually the starting positions within the field. As you advance in your career and gain experience, you will be expected to take on more responsibility.
Mid-Level Food Technologists
2 – 5 Years Experience. (Monthly Salary Range): ₦180,000 – ₦400,000
After a few years in the field, a dramatic raise is to be expected. Candidates at this stage might be employed as Product Development Specialists, Process Engineers, or Quality Control Supervisors.
Senior-Level Food Technologists
5 – 10 Years Experience (Monthly Salary Range): ₦500,000 – ₦1200000 and above
With more positions comes higher pay, especially for senior-level staff or those in leadership roles in multinational companies.
15 – 20 Years Experience. This is leadership level staff. A Food Technologist with years of experience that is higher than 15 years can earn an average of ₦800,000 – ₦1,400,000 depending on the organization and location.
Additional Benefits and Perks
Besides the basic salary, some professionals, particularly food technologists, are entitled to other perks such as:
- Health Insurance: Medical and dental health insurance is provided by many large corporations.
- Bonuses: Higher level employees expect to receive bonuses that are paid out depending on their level of work output.
- Training and Development: Food technologists are often sponsored by their employers to retain their certifications and further their training in order to update them on new changes in the field.
- Retirement Benefits: Unlike other private employers, multinational corporations pension schemes or savings plans as an added benefit.
The State of the Food Technology Industry in Nigeria (2025)
A substantial stride is noted regarding the growth and development of the food industry relations in Nigeria. Nigeria, with its population exceeding 200 million people, remains one of the leading markets for food products within Africa. It is also one of the top producers and exporters in agricultural commodities like cocoa, palm oil, and cassava.
Nigeria has recently witnessed greater global investment in manufacturing food products, with both domestic and foreign firms opening food processing plants.
These changes have increased the employment options for food technologists within the country as they can now work as managers, researchers, developers, quality control staff, and regulatory officers.
Career Prospects for Food Technologists in Nigeria
The job prospects of food technologists in Nigeria are well promising. As the food industry progresses, there will be increased innovation and the need for food technologists to ensure that the safety, quality, and sustainability of food products are appropriately handled.
There are still many trends that will lead food technologists to a more positive future.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact Practitioners of agriculture are beginning to focus more on policies that support sustainable methods of food production.
These policies include waste minimization, energy conservation during production processes, and the sustainable sourcing of raw materials.
Food technologists who specialize in these areas will be highly sought after.
Health and Nutrition: The increasing health consciousness amongst consumers is driving the growth in demand in food options, functional foods, fortified foods, and overall healthier foods. Food technologists working with food nutrition and fortification will likely experience career advancements.
Technology and Automation: The increasing adoption of automation in food processing as well as the use of smart technologies in the industry means that food technologists who are knowledgeable in computer and data technology, and automation will command preference.
Export Opportunities: Food experts in Nigeria will be increasingly focused on developing the country’s active food export market and food technologists who specialize in international food safety standards, packaging, and regulations will be in high demand.
Final Thoughts Food Technologist Salary in Nigeria (2025)
Working as a food technologist is one of the most sought after careers in Nigeria. The food industry is rapidly expanding, which means it offers exceptional opportunities to new graduates. Even though the annual Food Technology salary in Nigeria varies based on the person’s experience and qualifications, there is always an incredible potential of growing into a higher position.
Staying active and joining events within your industry is a great way to help you advance in your career.
Following industry news and honing your skills will further improve your employment opportunities.
Do you need more assistance on how to build a career in food technology? Feel free to leave comments or contact us directly!