Nurse Salary in Nigeria 2026: Complete Guide to RN, Auxiliary & Specialist Nurse Salaries

Quick Answer

Nurses in Nigeria earn ₦80,000-₦500,000 monthly depending on qualification, experience, location, and sector. Auxiliary nurses start at ₦80,000-₦120,000, registered nurses (RNs) earn ₦150,000-₦350,000, and specialist nurses can earn ₦400,000-₦500,000. Private practice nurses and those with side hustles can earn ₦1 million+ monthly.

Understanding nursing salaries helps you plan your career, negotiate better pay, and explore opportunities to increase your income. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what nurses earn across Nigeria in 2026.

Average Nurse Salaries by Qualification and Experience

Your nursing qualification and experience level are the primary factors determining your salary. Here's what you can expect:

Qualification & Experience	Monthly Salary	Annual Salary	Career Stage
Auxiliary Nurse (Entry)	₦80,000-₦120,000	₦960K-₦1.44M	Basic care
Auxiliary Nurse (5+ years)	₦120,000-₦180,000	₦1.44M-₦2.16M	Experienced
RN Entry Level (0-2 years)	₦150,000-₦220,000	₦1.8M-₦2.64M	Foundation
RN Mid-Level (3-5 years)	₦220,000-₦300,000	₦2.64M-₦3.6M	Competent
RN Senior (6-10 years)	₦300,000-₦400,000	₦3.6M-₦4.8M	Expert
Chief Nursing Officer (10+ years)	₦400,000-₦500,000	₦4.8M-₦6M	Leadership
Specialist Nurse	₦350,000-₦500,000	₦4.2M-₦6M	Specialized
Private Practice Nurse	₦500,000-₦2M+	₦6M-₦24M+	Entrepreneurship

Auxiliary Nurses

Auxiliary nurses (also called nursing assistants or healthcare assistants) provide basic patient care under supervision.

Entry Level (₦80,000-₦120,000):

• Basic patient care
• Vital signs monitoring
• Assisting with daily activities
• Working under RN supervision

Experienced (₦120,000-₦180,000):

• 5+ years experience
• More independent work
• Training junior staff
• Specialized care skills

Career path: Many auxiliary nurses pursue RN training to increase earning potential by 50-100%.

Registered Nurses (RN)

Registered nurses hold a nursing degree or diploma and are licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).

Entry Level RN (₦150,000-₦220,000): Fresh RN graduates typically start at ₦150,000-₦220,000 monthly. During this phase, you're building clinical skills and gaining experience.

What affects starting salary:

• Your nursing school (university vs. school of nursing)
• Location (Lagos and Abuja pay more)
• Employer type (private pays better than government)
• Additional certifications (BLS, ACLS)
• Specialty area

Mid-Level RN (₦220,000-₦300,000): With 3-5 years experience, your salary increases to ₦220,000-₦300,000. You're competent in your specialty and may supervise junior nurses.

Senior RN (₦300,000-₦400,000): Senior nurses with 6-10 years experience earn ₦300,000-₦400,000. You're likely in charge of a unit or department.

Chief Nursing Officer (₦400,000-₦500,000): The highest employed nursing position, overseeing entire nursing departments in large hospitals.

Specialist Nurses

Nurses with specialized training earn significantly more:

Specializations:

• Critical Care/ICU: ₦350,000-₦500,000
• Operating Room: ₦350,000-₦480,000
• Emergency/A&E: ₦330,000-₦470,000
• Pediatric ICU: ₦340,000-₦490,000
• Neonatal ICU: ₦340,000-₦490,000
• Oncology: ₦330,000-₦460,000
• Dialysis: ₦320,000-₦450,000

Why specialists earn more:

• Advanced training required
• High-demand skills
• Critical patient care
• Limited qualified professionals
• Higher responsibility

Private Practice Nurses

Nurses who start their own practices or provide home healthcare services can earn ₦500,000-₦2 million+ monthly.

Services offered:

• Home healthcare visits
• Private duty nursing
• Elderly care
• Post-surgical care
• Chronic disease management
• Health screening services

Learn more about starting a nursing side hustle and private practice setup.

Nurse Salaries by Location

Location significantly impacts nursing salaries in Nigeria. Here's what nurses earn in major cities:

Lagos (Highest Paying)

Lagos offers the highest nursing salaries due to higher cost of living and greater demand:

• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦100,000-₦150,000
• Entry RN: ₦180,000-₦250,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦250,000-₦350,000
• Senior RN: ₦350,000-₦450,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦400,000-₦550,000

Why Lagos pays more:

• Higher cost of living
• More private hospitals
• Greater competition for talent
• Larger patient population
• More specialized services

Abuja (Second Highest)

The capital city offers competitive nursing salaries:

• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦90,000-₦140,000
• Entry RN: ₦170,000-₦230,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦230,000-₦320,000
• Senior RN: ₦320,000-₦420,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦370,000-₦500,000

Port Harcourt

Port Harcourt offers good salaries with lower living costs:

• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦85,000-₦130,000
• Entry RN: ₦160,000-₦210,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦210,000-₦290,000
• Senior RN: ₦290,000-₦380,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦340,000-₦450,000

Other Major Cities

Cities like Ibadan, Kano, Enugu, and Kaduna typically offer:

• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦80,000-₦120,000
• Entry RN: ₦150,000-₦200,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦200,000-₦270,000
• Senior RN: ₦270,000-₦350,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦320,000-₦420,000

Location strategy: Many nurses start in Lagos or Abuja for higher salaries and better training, then return home to start private practices where competition is lower.

Nurse Salaries by Sector

The sector you work in dramatically affects your earning potential:

Government Hospitals (CONHESS Scale)

Government nurses follow the Consolidated Health Salary Structure:

• CONHESS 6 (Auxiliary): ₦80,000-₦120,000
• CONHESS 7 (Entry RN): ₦150,000-₦200,000
• CONHESS 9 (Mid-Level): ₦220,000-₦300,000
• CONHESS 11 (Senior): ₦300,000-₦400,000
• CONHESS 13 (Chief): ₦400,000-₦500,000

Pros:

• Job security
• Pension benefits
• Regular salary (usually)
• Clear career progression
• Training opportunities

Cons:

• Lower salaries than private sector
• Slower advancement
• Salary delays in some states
• Limited income growth
• Bureaucratic environment

Private Hospitals

Private hospitals typically pay 25-50% more than government:

• Auxiliary Nurse: ₦100,000-₦150,000
• Entry RN: ₦180,000-₦250,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦250,000-₦350,000
• Senior RN: ₦350,000-₦450,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦400,000-₦550,000

Pros:

• Higher salaries
• Performance bonuses
• Modern facilities
• Better equipment
• Professional development

Cons:

• Less job security
• Higher workload
• Longer hours
• More pressure
• Limited benefits

International Organizations and NGOs

NGOs and international health organizations offer competitive packages:

• Entry RN: ₦200,000-₦300,000
• Mid-Level RN: ₦300,000-₦450,000
• Senior RN: ₦450,000-₦600,000
• Specialist Nurse: ₦500,000-₦700,000

Additional benefits:

• Housing allowance
• Transportation
• Health insurance
• International training
• Career development

Private Practice and Home Healthcare

Nurses providing private services earn the most:

• Part-time (10-15 visits/week): ₦300,000-₦600,000
• Active practice (20-30 visits/week): ₦800,000-₦1.5M
• Full-time private practice: ₦1.5M-₦3M+

Services:

• Home healthcare visits
• Private duty nursing
• Elderly care
• Post-surgical care
• Chronic disease management
• Health assessments

Learn more about home healthcare services as a lucrative nursing side hustle.

Highest Paying Nursing Specializations

Specializing significantly increases your earning potential:

1. Critical Care/ICU Nursing (₦350,000-₦500,000)

ICU nurses care for critically ill patients requiring intensive monitoring.

Why it pays well:

• Advanced skills required
• High-stress environment
• 24/7 availability needed
• Life-or-death decisions
• Limited qualified nurses

Requirements:

• RN license
• ICU certification
• Advanced life support training
• 1-2 years general nursing experience

2. Operating Room Nursing (₦350,000-₦480,000)

OR nurses assist surgeons during surgical procedures.

Why it pays well:

• Specialized technical skills
• Sterile technique expertise
• Surgical knowledge required
• High responsibility
• Limited qualified professionals

Requirements:

• RN license
• Perioperative nursing certification
• Surgical nursing training
• Strong attention to detail

3. Emergency/A&E Nursing (₦330,000-₦470,000)

Emergency nurses handle acute medical emergencies and trauma.

Why it pays well:

• Fast-paced environment
• Quick decision-making required
• Diverse medical conditions
• High-stress situations
• Critical thinking skills

Requirements:

• RN license
• Emergency nursing certification
• ACLS and PALS training
• Trauma nursing experience

4. Neonatal ICU Nursing (₦340,000-₦490,000)

NICU nurses care for premature and critically ill newborns.

Why it pays well:

• Specialized neonatal knowledge
• Delicate patient population
• Advanced monitoring skills
• Emotional demands
• High responsibility

Requirements:

• RN license
• Neonatal nursing certification
• Pediatric advanced life support
• Patience and compassion

5. Dialysis Nursing (₦320,000-₦450,000)

Dialysis nurses operate dialysis machines and care for kidney patients.

Why it pays well:

• Technical equipment operation
• Chronic disease management
• Growing patient population
• Specialized knowledge
• Consistent demand

Requirements:

• RN license
• Dialysis nursing certification
• Nephrology knowledge
• Technical aptitude

Nurse vs Other Healthcare Salaries

How do nursing salaries compare to other healthcare professionals?

Profession	Entry Level	Mid-Level	Senior
Auxiliary Nurse	₦80K-₦120K	₦120K-₦180K	₦150K-₦200K
Registered Nurse	₦150K-₦220K	₦220K-₦300K	₦300K-₦400K
Pharmacist	₦150K-₦250K	₦300K-₦450K	₦500K-₦800K
Doctor	₦200K-₦350K	₦500K-₦800K	₦1M-₦2M+
Physiotherapist	₦120K-₦200K	₦250K-₦400K	₦450K-₦650K
Lab Scientist	₦100K-₦180K	₦220K-₦350K	₦400K-₦600K

Key insights:

• Nurses earn less than doctors and pharmacists initially
• Specialist nurses can match pharmacist salaries
• Private practice nurses can exceed doctor salaries
• Nursing offers more entrepreneurship opportunities than most healthcare professions

Compare with pharmacist salaries and doctor salaries for complete healthcare salary information.

How to Increase Your Nursing Income in 2026

While employed nursing salaries have limits, there are proven strategies to significantly increase your income:

1. Pursue Specialization

Specializing is the fastest way to increase your salary by 30-50%:

High-demand specializations:

• Critical Care/ICU (₦350K-₦500K)
• Operating Room (₦350K-₦480K)
• Emergency Nursing (₦330K-₦470K)
• Neonatal ICU (₦340K-₦490K)
• Dialysis (₦320K-₦450K)

How to specialize:

1. Gain 1-2 years general nursing experience
2. Choose your specialty based on interest and demand
3. Complete certification courses (3-6 months)
4. Apply for specialist positions
5. Continue professional development

ROI: A ₦200,000 certification course can increase your salary by ₦100,000-₦200,000 monthly, paying for itself in 1-2 months.

2. Start Nursing Side Hustles

Side hustles can add ₦200,000-₦1 million+ to your monthly income:

Top nursing side hustles:

Home Healthcare Services (₦300K-₦1.5M/month):

• Provide nursing care in patients' homes
• Charge ₦15,000-₦50,000 per visit
• 10-30 visits per month
• Flexible scheduling around main job

Private Duty Nursing (₦400K-₦2M/month):

• Provide one-on-one care for specific patients
• Charge ₦50,000-₦150,000 per day
• Elderly care, post-surgical care, chronic disease management
• Build long-term client relationships

Health Screening Services (₦200K-₦800K/month):

• Offer health assessments at corporate offices
• Blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol screening
• Charge ₦5,000-₦15,000 per person
• Partner with companies for employee wellness programs

Nursing Consultation (₦150K-₦600K/month):

• Provide health advice and education
• Medication management
• Chronic disease counseling
• Charge ₦10,000-₦30,000 per session

Medical Writing (₦100K-₦500K/month):

• Write health articles and content
• Create patient education materials
• Develop nursing protocols
• Freelance for healthcare companies

Read our complete guide to nursing side hustles in Nigeria for detailed strategies and startup costs.

3. Start Your Own Private Practice

Private practice offers the highest income potential (₦1M-₦3M+ monthly):

Types of nursing private practices:

Home Healthcare Agency:

• Employ other nurses
• Serve multiple clients simultaneously
• Scale beyond your personal time
• Earn ₦1.5M-₦5M+ monthly

Specialized Nursing Clinic:

• Focus on specific services (wound care, diabetes management, elderly care)
• Build reputation as specialist
• Charge premium rates
• Earn ₦800K-₦2M+ monthly

Wellness Center:

• Combine nursing with health promotion
• Offer screening, counseling, education
• Partner with other healthcare professionals
• Earn ₦1M-₦3M+ monthly

Starting costs: ₦500,000-₦2 million depending on scale and services.

Essential tools for private practice:

Use ClinikEHR to manage your nursing practice efficiently. ClinikEHR is specifically designed for small healthcare practices and offers:

• Patient Management: Digital records for all your home healthcare clients
• Appointment Scheduling: Automated booking and reminders for home visits
• Billing & Invoicing: Professional invoices and payment tracking
• Clinical Notes: Document care provided during home visits
• Mobile Access: Access patient information on the go
• HIPAA Compliance: Secure patient data storage

Pricing: Free for your first 30 patients, then affordable plans starting at ₦15,000/month. Much cheaper than hiring administrative staff.

Visit ClinikEHR Features to see how it can streamline your nursing practice.

Learn more about setting up a private clinic in Nigeria and small clinic management.

Career Progression Timeline for Nurses

Understanding the typical career progression helps you plan your nursing career:

Years 0-2: Foundation Phase (₦150K-₦220K)

Focus: Building clinical competence and foundational skills

What to do:

• Master basic nursing skills
• Rotate through different departments
• Obtain BLS and ACLS certifications
• Build professional relationships
• Identify your area of interest

Income: ₦150,000-₦220,000 monthly

Side hustle potential: Limited due to learning curve, but can start health education content creation (₦50K-₦150K/month)

Years 3-5: Competence Phase (₦220K-₦300K)

Focus: Developing expertise and considering specialization

What to do:

• Pursue specialty certification
• Take on more responsibilities
• Mentor junior nurses
• Start building your professional brand
• Begin side hustles

Income: ₦220,000-₦300,000 monthly (employed)

Side hustle potential: Home healthcare visits on weekends (add ₦200K-₦500K/month)

Years 6-10: Expert Phase (₦300K-₦400K)

Focus: Leadership and advanced practice

What to do:

• Move into senior nursing positions
• Lead teams and departments
• Pursue advanced degrees (MSN)
• Expand side hustles
• Consider private practice

Income: ₦300,000-₦400,000 monthly (employed)

Side hustle potential: Active home healthcare practice (add ₦500K-₦1.5M/month)

Years 10+: Mastery Phase (₦400K-₦500K+)

Focus: Leadership, entrepreneurship, or specialization

Career options:

• Chief Nursing Officer (₦400K-₦500K)
• Nursing Director (₦450K-₦600K)
• Private practice owner (₦1M-₦3M+)
• Healthcare consultant (₦500K-₦2M+)
• Nursing educator (₦350K-₦500K)

Income: ₦400,000-₦500,000+ monthly (employed) or ₦1M-₦5M+ (private practice)

Entrepreneurship: Many experienced nurses transition to full-time private practice at this stage, often earning 2-5x their employed salary.

Why ClinikEHR is Essential for Nursing Practice Management

Whether you're starting a home healthcare service, running a private nursing practice, or managing a small clinic, ClinikEHR provides everything you need:

For Home Healthcare Nurses

Patient Management:

• Digital records for all your clients
• Track medical history, medications, allergies
• Document care plans and progress notes
• Access patient information during home visits

Scheduling & Reminders:

• Automated appointment booking
• SMS reminders to reduce no-shows
• Route optimization for multiple visits
• Calendar integration

Billing Made Easy:

• Generate professional invoices instantly
• Track payments and outstanding balances
• Accept multiple payment methods
• Automated payment reminders

For Private Practice Nurses

Clinical Documentation:

• Customizable nursing assessment templates
• SOAP notes and care plans
• Vital signs tracking and trending
• Medication administration records

Compliance & Security:

• HIPAA-compliant data storage
• Secure patient information
• Audit trails for all activities
• Regular backups

Business Analytics:

• Track revenue and expenses
• Monitor patient volume
• Identify your most profitable services
• Make data-driven decisions

For Nursing Clinics

Multi-User Support:

• Add other nurses to your team
• Role-based access control
• Collaborative care planning
• Team scheduling

Inventory Management:

• Track medical supplies
• Low stock alerts
• Supplier management
• Cost tracking

Reporting:

• Generate clinical reports
• Financial summaries
• Patient statistics
• Regulatory compliance reports

Pricing for Nurses

Free Tier:

• First 30 patients completely free
• Perfect for starting your side hustle
• All core features included
• No credit card required

Growth Plan (₦15,000/month):

• Unlimited patients
• Advanced features
• Priority support
• Mobile app access

Professional Plan (₦30,000/month):

• Everything in Growth
• Multi-user support
• Custom templates
• Advanced analytics

Why nurses choose ClinikEHR:

• "Saves me 10+ hours weekly on paperwork" - Nurse Amaka, Lagos
• "My home healthcare business grew 300% in 6 months" - Nurse Chidi, Abuja
• "Professional invoicing helped me get paid faster" - Nurse Blessing, Port Harcourt

Start your free trial today - no credit card required. Your first 30 patients are completely free.

Visit our pricing page for detailed plan comparisons, or explore all features to see how ClinikEHR can transform your nursing practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the average salary for a registered nurse in Nigeria?

Registered nurses in Nigeria earn ₦150,000-₦400,000 monthly depending on experience. Entry-level RNs earn ₦150,000-₦220,000, mid-level RNs earn ₦220,000-₦300,000, and senior RNs earn ₦300,000-₦400,000. Specialist nurses can earn ₦350,000-₦500,000 monthly.

2. How much do auxiliary nurses earn in Nigeria?

Auxiliary nurses earn ₦80,000-₦180,000 monthly. Entry-level auxiliary nurses start at ₦80,000-₦120,000, while experienced auxiliary nurses with 5+ years can earn ₦120,000-₦180,000. Many auxiliary nurses pursue RN training to increase their earning potential by 50-100%.

3. Which nursing specialization pays the most in Nigeria?

Critical Care/ICU nursing pays the most at ₦350,000-₦500,000 monthly, followed by Operating Room nursing (₦350,000-₦480,000) and Emergency nursing (₦330,000-₦470,000). Neonatal ICU and Dialysis nursing also offer high salaries at ₦320,000-₦490,000 monthly.

4. Do private hospitals pay nurses more than government hospitals?

Yes, private hospitals typically pay 25-50% more than government hospitals. While government RNs earn ₦150,000-₦400,000, private hospital RNs earn ₦180,000-₦550,000 for equivalent positions. However, government positions offer better job security and benefits.

5. How can nurses increase their income in Nigeria?

Nurses can increase income through: (1) Specialization - adds ₦100,000-₦200,000 monthly, (2) Side hustles like home healthcare - adds ₦200,000-₦1.5M monthly, (3) Private practice - earns ₦1M-₦3M+ monthly. Many nurses combine employed work with side hustles to double or triple their income.

6. What is the salary difference between Lagos and other Nigerian cities?

Lagos nurses earn 20-30% more than other cities. Entry RNs in Lagos earn ₦180,000-₦250,000 vs ₦150,000-₦200,000 in other cities. Senior RNs in Lagos earn ₦350,000-₦450,000 vs ₦270,000-₦350,000 elsewhere. However, Lagos has higher living costs.

7. How much can nurses earn from home healthcare services?

Nurses providing home healthcare can earn ₦300,000-₦1.5M+ monthly. Part-time (10-15 visits/week) generates ₦300,000-₦600,000, while active practice (20-30 visits/week) generates ₦800,000-₦1.5M. Charges range from ₦15,000-₦50,000 per visit depending on services provided.

8. What certifications increase nursing salaries the most?

High-impact certifications include: ICU/Critical Care certification (adds ₦100K-₦200K monthly), Operating Room certification (adds ₦100K-₦180K monthly), Emergency Nursing certification (adds ₦80K-₦170K monthly), and Dialysis certification (adds ₦70K-₦150K monthly). Most certifications pay for themselves within 1-2 months.

Conclusion

Nursing in Nigeria offers diverse income opportunities ranging from ₦80,000 for entry-level auxiliary nurses to ₦500,000+ for specialist nurses and private practice owners. While employed salaries have limits, nurses who pursue specialization, start side hustles, or launch private practices can earn ₦1 million-₦3 million+ monthly.

Key takeaways:

• Entry RNs earn ₦150K-₦220K; senior RNs earn ₦300K-₦400K
• Specialization increases salary by 30-50%
• Lagos and Abuja pay 20-30% more than other cities
• Private hospitals pay 25-50% more than government
• Home healthcare side hustles add ₦200K-₦1.5M monthly
• Private practice offers highest income potential (₦1M-₦3M+)

Your next steps:

1. Assess your current salary against market rates
2. Identify specialization opportunities in your area
3. Start a nursing side hustle on weekends
4. Use ClinikEHR to manage your private clients professionally
5. Plan your transition to private practice

Whether you're just starting your nursing career or looking to increase your income, the opportunities are significant. Many successful nurses in Nigeria now earn ₦1 million+ monthly by combining employed work with side hustles or transitioning to private practice.

Ready to start your nursing side hustle or private practice? Try ClinikEHR free for your first 30 patients - no credit card required. Join thousands of Nigerian nurses who are building profitable healthcare practices.

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