-
Ikiodiete George
- 4 Min Read
Graduate Trainee Salary For All Oil & Gas Companies In Nigeria (2025 Official Update)
So you’ve been dreaming about landing that oil & gas job — the one where the AC is always cold, the paycheck is hot, and the office smells like premium petrol money? I see you.
But before you start imagining Range Rover keys and Dubai vacations, let’s ask the important question every fresh graduate in Nigeria wants to know:
“How much do oil & gas companies really pay their graduate trainees?”
If you’re curious about the salary structure of graduate trainees in Shell, Chevron, Total, NLNG, and the rest of the big boys (and girls) in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive into the juicy breakdown of pay, benefits, and the real-life expectations for trainees in this high-demand sector.
Who Is a Graduate Trainee in Oil & Gas?
A graduate trainee in oil & gas is a fresh graduate — usually from engineering, geosciences, finance, or business backgrounds — recruited by the company to undergo structured training and onboarding before becoming full-time staff.
These training programs often last 6 to 18 months (depending on the company), and they include classroom learning, fieldwork (sometimes offshore!), rotations across departments, and exams/tests.
And guess what? Even during training, your account go dey smile!
Graduate Trainee Salaries for Top Oil & Gas Companies in Nigeria (2025)
Here’s what the top players are paying in 2025 — and yes, these are monthly figures (before tax, of course 👀):
| Company | Monthly Graduate Trainee Salary (₦) | Notes / Benefits |
| Shell Nigeria | ₦400,000 – ₦500,000 | Full medicals, offshore allowance, housing support |
| Chevron Nigeria | ₦450,000 – ₦550,000 | Dollar-linked bonuses, meal subsidy, HMO |
| TotalEnergies Nigeria | ₦430,000 – ₦520,000 | International training, full benefits |
| ExxonMobil | ₦500,000 – ₦600,000 | Best-in-class benefits, relocation, strong bonus |
| NLNG | ₦450,000 – ₦500,000 | Port Harcourt-based, housing & transport allowances |
| Seplat Petroleum | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 | Local and international training |
| Agip (NAOC) | ₦400,000 – ₦480,000 | Solid work-life balance, housing allowance |
| Addax Petroleum | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 | Good benefits, exposure to field projects |
| NNPC Ltd | ₦280,000 – ₦350,000 | Recently restructured; career growth path improving |
| Oando Plc | ₦250,000 – ₦300,000 | More corporate-focused, with bonus potential |
| Aiteo Group | ₦250,000 – ₦320,000 | Smaller firm, strong learning curve |
| Indorama Petrochemicals | ₦180,000 – ₦250,000 | Industrial exposure, more technical hands-on work |
Perks & Allowances Graduate Trainees Enjoy
Beyond salary, oil & gas graduate trainees are spoiled with some mad benefits. Depending on the company, you may get:
-
Housing Allowance or Accommodation
-
Transport Allowance or Staff Bus
-
Medical Insurance (HMO) — top-tier clinics o!
-
Performance Bonuses
-
Offshore/Field Allowance (if applicable)
-
13th Month Salary
-
Pension + Gratuity Plan
-
Meal Subsidies or Free Canteen
-
Training Trips (some outside Nigeria!)
Honestly, oil and gas is one of the few sectors in Nigeria where graduate trainees are treated like kings and queens from Day 1.
What Is Expected of a Graduate Trainee?
Now let’s not act like it’s free money — because these companies don’t play. Here’s what they expect from you as a trainee:
-
Discipline & Timeliness – Oil & gas is time-sensitive. If training starts at 8:00am, show face at 7:30.
-
Strong Work Ethic – You’ll do reports, projects, presentations, even real engineering or logistics work.
-
Technical Know-How – Especially for engineers, IT, or science roles. You’re expected to learn fast.
-
Field/Offshore Readiness – For some roles, you’ll be sent to the rigs or plants. It’s not just office shine o!
-
Team Collaboration – You must work with multidisciplinary teams — from admin to operations.
Entry Requirements for Oil & Gas Graduate Trainee Roles
To even make it to the shortlist for graduate trainee roles in oil & gas, you’ll usually need:
-
A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Geology, Finance, IT, or Sciences
-
A minimum of Second Class Upper (2:1) — some companies now consider 2:2 with strong skills
-
NYSC Certificate
-
Good performance in aptitude tests and interviews
-
Sometimes, 0–2 years experience in a related field
-
Soft skills — like communication, analytical thinking, and leadership potential
Pro Tips to Secure a Trainee Role in Oil & Gas
If you're reading this and dreaming of landing one of these jobs, here's some free advice:
-
Start applying early. Some of these companies open applications once a year only.
-
Practice GMAT-style questions. The tests are usually tough and timed.
-
Polish your CV — make it short, achievement-based, and tailored for the role.
-
Use LinkedIn smartly. Follow recruiters, engage with company posts, and stay visible.
-
Upskill! Learn Excel, Power BI, safety protocols, or coding — anything to make your profile stand out.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
100% YES.
Working as a graduate trainee in an oil & gas company in Nigeria can completely change your career trajectory. The pay is great, the experience is world-class, and the network you build is priceless.
But the competition? E choke.
So if you're serious, stay ready, keep applying, and don’t let one rejection stop you. If others can do it, so can you.
Are you applying for oil & gas roles or already in training?
Drop your questions, wins, or wahala in the comments — let’s talk career goals and salary goals!
