The Salary Structure of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) offers valuable insights for those aspiring to join this critical agency or those simply curious about the financial rewards within its ranks.
As a government body, safeguarding the borders of Nigeria’s agricultural economy is the responsibility of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), and this is done by preventing the introduction and movement of dangerous pests and contaminants into the country.
For those willing to work at such an important agency, it’s best to understand the salary structure of NAQS first. In this post, you will learn about how the salary, minimum wages, and payment scales are like in NAQS, shedding light on what makes it such an appealing prospect for professionals in the agricultural sector.
Also read: Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) in Nigeria (PDF Download)
What is NAQS?
The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service is a government agency responsible for protecting Nigeria’s agricultural resources.
It’s a branch of the federal ministry of agriculture in charge of Nigeria’s agricultural assets. They make sure that sufficient measures to contain pests and diseases of plants, animals, and even for fisheries are taken so as to protect and sustain the agricultural products within and outside Nigeria.
Overview of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS)
The NAQS was established to regulate and control the movement of plants, animals, and related products in and out of Nigeria. Its core responsibilities include:
- Preventing the introduction of pests and diseases into Nigeria
- Certifying agricultural products for export
- Monitoring compliance with international phytosanitary standards
Due to the technical nature of its work, the agency employs scientists, inspectors, veterinarians, agriculturists, and administrative personnel — all with varying salary structures.
General Salary Structure at NAQS (2025)
NAQS adopts the CONRAISS (Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure) which is the pay scale used for most research and inspection arms within the Federal Government.
Salary is allocated per Grade Levels (GL), qualifications, and years of practice.
A rough estimate of the salary range is as follows.
- GL 07 – GL 09 (Junior Officers) : ₦80,000 – ₦150,000 Monthly
- GL 10 – GL 13 (Senior Officers): ₦160,000 – ₦250,000 Monthly
- GL 14 – GL 16 (Higher Officers): ₦260,000 – ₦400,000 Monthly
- GL 17 (Directors): ₦450,000 – ₦700,000 Monthly
It should be taken into account that these amounts consist of the basic pay together with a few allowances, but might be different depending on the role and region.
Entry-Level Salaries at NAQS
For fresh graduates or entry-level employees, the salary structure is as follows:
- Quarantine Officer II: ₦611,084 – ₦1,436,522 per annum.
- Administrative Officer II: ₦842,994 – ₦1,836,522 per annum.
These positions offer a solid foundation for career growth within the agency.
Mid-Level Positions and Salaries
As employees gain experience, they can progress to mid-level positions such as:
- Senior Quarantine Officer: ₦1,636,522 – ₦1,836,522 per annum.
- Assistant Chief Quarantine Officer: ₦2,265,843 – ₦2,661,298 per annum.
These roles come with increased responsibilities and opportunities for professional development.
Senior-Level Salaries
Senior-level positions at NAQS include:
- Assistant Director: ₦3,658,531 – ₦3,894,723 per annum.
- Deputy Director: ₦3,844,866 – ₦4,826,943 per annum.
These roles are critical for the strategic direction and management of the agency.
Top-Level Salaries
The highest-ranking positions at NAQS are:
- Director: ₦4,615,702 – ₦4,823,396 per annum.
- Director-General: Approximately ₦1 million per month.
These positions represent the pinnacle of a career at NAQS, offering significant influence and responsibility.
Factors Affecting Salary in NAQS
The remuneration paid to employees in Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service is influenced by a myriad of factors which include:
- Educational Qualifications: Providing postgraduate degrees or higher professional certifications are likely to result in graduate employment at primary levels paying higher salaries.
- Experience: Employees that have worked for a number of years in agricultural quarantine or closely related fields are likely to earn more.
- Location: Employees assigned to major metropolitan cities like Lagos or Abuja might earn more to compensate for the cost of living in these regions.
- Job Performance: Exceptional performance and unmatched job performance, leadership skills alongside contribution to the success of the agency may lead to increment of salary and bonuses.
NAQS additional Benefits and Allowances for employees
Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service employees apart from salaries are given some benefits and allowances.
The benefits are as follows:
Housing Allowance: In most cases employees are supplied with accommodation or a housing allocation which largely assists towards covering accommodation expenses.
Medical Benefits: Employees under NAQS are offered medical benefits whereby they are provided with health insurance and treatment.
Transportation Allowance: Provided when the employee is in a remote area and higher positions, employees of the organization may receive transportation allowances at the discretion of their employer.
Pension Contributions: NAQS like most other government agencies contributes to the pension scheme of its employees.
NAQS Salary Structure vs Other Government Agencies
NAQS salaries are comparable with those of other government inspection and regulatory agencies such as:
- Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC)
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
- Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON)
However, salaries at agencies like NAFDAC and SON might be slightly higher due to more exposure to risk, more funding, or international partnerships. Still, NAQS remains a reputable and stable employer in the agricultural regulation sector.
Promotion and Career Progression
Promotions within the company are given based on the employee’s length of service with the agency, necessary qualifications, and their performance. Compensation increments are offered almost every 3 to 4 years.
Pursuing a higher grade within the organization comes with additional responsibilities alongside an increase in remuneration and perks.
A good example is for GL 10 to GL 12 they can pay an additional salary of as much as ₦100,000 – ₦150,000 per month.
Final Thoughts on NAQS Salary Structure
The salary structure of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) reflects its importance in safeguarding Nigeria’s agricultural economy. While this is not very competitive compared to some oil and gas companies, it compensates for relatively secure jobs, strong career development, and significant allowances, which makes it attractive to specialists in agriculture, science, and administration.
For those looking for entry level positions, or recent graduates looking for roles in the public sector, NAQS is a good option for a fulfilling career in agriculture.
Disclaimer:
It should be pointed out that the figures presented in this post were compiled from research conducted on numerous salary benchmarking websites, job boards, news blogs, and other publicly accessible resources.