Benchmarking Salaries: Nigeria’s Oil & Gas Sector Compensation Trends for 2024

By Ugo Aliogo

Nigeria’s oil and gas sector remains the backbone of the national economy, serving as the largest source of government revenue, employment, and foreign exchange. With vast proven reserves and the presence of major multinational operators, the country continues to hold a leading position in both African and global energy markets. Ongoing reforms, new investments, and landmark projects such as the Dangote Refinery and deepwater developments are reshaping the industry landscape, enhancing productivity, and opening new opportunities for professionals across various disciplines.

The industry’s resilience is largely attributed to its highly skilled workforce—spanning technical, operational, and safety domains—whose expertise ensures stability and progress despite global fluctuations. These professionals are also some of the most competitively compensated in Nigeria, reflecting both the strategic importance and inherent risks associated with their roles.

Recent HR compensation data and industry-wide surveys from international oil companies, indigenous producers, and contractors highlight the earning potential across core positions. Senior Project Managers in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) lead with median annual pay of ₦37 million and top-tier salaries reaching ₦45 million. Subsea Engineers follow closely, earning between ₦38 million and ₦44 million annually, underscoring the technical depth and critical nature of subsea operations. LNG Operations Leads, HSE Managers (Offshore), and Production Managers also feature prominently, with median salaries ranging from ₦33 million to ₦37.5 million and top performers earning above ₦43 million—figures that mirror the scale of their responsibilities in managing risk, compliance, and large-scale operations.

Petroleum and Drilling Engineers remain at the heart of production activities, earning between ₦30 million and ₦42 million annually. Their roles are vital to exploration and extraction efficiency, making them indispensable in maintaining Nigeria’s production capacity. Geoscientists and Reservoir Engineers, while not leading the pay charts, command solid compensation levels of ₦25 million to ₦41 million due to their central role in resource discovery and field development. Even Well Site Supervisors—the entry threshold for this elite group—earn around ₦29 million to ₦38.5 million yearly, well above national salary averages.

This compensation data underscores a clear hierarchy within the sector: positions that combine large-scale project delivery, advanced technical expertise, and strong safety or compliance oversight command the highest rewards. Median salaries in this elite group start at around ₦25 million per year, while top performers in critical leadership or technical roles exceed ₦45 million.

These figures reflect global benchmarking standards, the complexity of operations, and the sector’s emphasis on risk management and technical excellence. They also reinforce the enduring attractiveness of oil and gas as a career path for skilled professionals. As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria continues to draw and retain top talent with robust compensation packages and evolving opportunities tied to ongoing energy investments. For professionals who attain senior technical or managerial positions, the oil and gas industry remains one of the most lucrative and prestigious career fields in the country today.