Official federal minimum wage, state rates, your rights as a worker and salary benchmarks.
| State | Minimum Wage | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Lagos | ₦85,000/month | Above federal |
| Imo | ₦85,000/month | Above federal |
| Abuja (FCT) | ₦70,000/month | Federal rate |
| Rivers | ₦70,000/month | Federal rate |
| Kano | ₦70,000/month | Federal rate |
| Ogun | ₦70,000/month | Federal rate |
| Enugu | ₦70,000/month | Federal rate |
| Some northern states | Negotiating | Partial compliance |
⚠️ State compliance varies. Data as of early 2026. Check with your state's Ministry of Labour for the latest.
| Role | Monthly Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Software Engineer | ₦600,000 – ₦2,500,000 |
| Medical Doctor | ₦400,000 – ₦1,000,000 |
| Bank Officer | ₦250,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Lawyer | ₦300,000 – ₦1,200,000 |
| Nurse | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 |
| Teacher | ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 |
| Accountant | ₦250,000 – ₦700,000 |
| Civil Engineer | ₦300,000 – ₦900,000 |
| Security Guard | ₦80,000 – ₦150,000 |
| Driver | ₦100,000 – ₦200,000 |
Figures are market averages for Lagos/Abuja. Actual salaries vary by employer, experience and location.
It is illegal for any employer to pay below ₦70,000/month to full-time employees. This applies to private companies, NGOs and government agencies. Part-time workers may be paid proportionally. Domestic workers (house helps) are also covered.
Contact the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment — call 09-523-8166 or visit any state Ministry of Labour office. You can also report to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) or your sector's trade union. Employers who violate the minimum wage law can face prosecution and fines.
Beyond salary: Pension (employer contributes 10% of your gross salary to your RSA), NSITF (employee compensation insurance), ITF levy, annual leave (minimum 6 working days), maternity leave (12 weeks full pay), and overtime pay (1.5x normal rate).
Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the first ₦800,000 annual income (about ₦66,667/month) is tax-free. So most minimum wage earners at ₦70,000/month pay little to no income tax after relief allowances. Use NaijaHub's tax calculator to see your exact take-home pay.
Nigeria's national minimum wage is ₦70,000 per month as set by the National Minimum Wage Act 2024, signed in July 2024. Some states like Lagos pay above this at ₦85,000/month.
The NLC and TUC negotiated a 3-year review cycle in 2024, meaning the next review is due in 2027. Labour unions are already pushing for a higher wage given Nigeria's inflation rate, so the 2027 review could see a significant increase.
Yes — the National Minimum Wage Act 2024 applies to all workers including domestic staff (house helps, drivers, cooks). Employers paying domestic workers below ₦70,000 are violating the law.