Salaries for expats in Nigeria
How much will I earn as an expat in Nigeria?
Expats looking to gauge their salary expectations before relocating to Nigeria should bear in mind three vital considerations:
- Firstly, that jobs in Nigeria's oil sector are far more lucrative than in any other sector;
- Secondly, that a large salary will not necessarily translate into large savings due to the surprisingly high cost of living in Nigeria and in its capital Abuja;
- And finally, that they should be wary of scams, fake job postings and the off-centre salaries associated with these fraudulent activities.
Expat jobs and salaries in Nigeria
Despite being very much a developing nation, Nigeria performs well in global cost of living surveys. The reason for this is the oil boom of the 1970s, which saw tons of foreign investment pour into the country to facilitate international business relations. As a result, to this day most worthwhile expat jobs in Nigeria will be found in the oil industry (usually in the employ of a big multinational company such as Chevron, Shell or Mobil); however, there are also plenty of opportunities available in the mining, construction, training, IT, telecommunications and general business sectors as well.
The most popular expat jobs in Nigeria are in the fields of project management, chartered accountancy, human resources management, business development, IT systems management and engineering. You will need at least three years' experience in your field to qualify for a high-wage job posting.
Expat salaries in Nigeria range between about $100,000 per annum and $200,000 per annum. The average is about $123,000 a year – but is often quoted in terms of (approximately) $400 per day. Very high-level (CEO-type) jobs will command higher salaries, sometimes as much as $300,000 a year.
Saving money in Nigeria
Although the prospect of earning a salary in Nigeria in excess of $100K a year might seem a mouth-watering opportunity for expats, you must realise that this windfall will not necessarily translate into big savings. While the cost of living in Nigeria, for items like food, drinks, petrol and cigarettes is quite cheap, the respective costs of secure (gated community) accommodation in Nigeria, comprehensive health insurance, private transport, international schooling and electricity can be shocking; and expats will need to negotiate carefully with their prospective employers when discussing their salary expectations.
If you are looking to save money in Nigeria, ensure that at least some provision is made in your contract to cover your accommodation, health insurance, transport and – if applicable – child's schooling costs. Although it's becoming less and less of an acceptable card to play when negotiating expat contracts, Nigeria is certainly a bit of a 'hardship destination', and you should be compensated accordingly.
Scams and fake job offers in Nigeria
Nigeria is the land of the '419 scam', and unfortunately, these fraudulent practices can crop up long before expats even set foot in the country. When conducting online searches for jobs in Nigeria, keep your wits about you: ask yourself if the company is reputable (does it have international presence?), and whatever you do, don't pay any money upfront for the 'privilege' of an interview or a recommendation. A good rule to keep in mind: if an offer seems just too good to be true, it more than likely is.
