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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Graduate Trainee Salary For All Top Banks In Nigeria (2025)
Hello my people! If you’re a fresh graduate or soon-to-be ex-corper looking to step into the glamorous (and sometimes stressful) world of Nigerian banking, you’re probably asking the golden question:
“How much do top Nigerian banks pay their graduate trainees?”
Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’m breaking down the current graduate trainee salaries across all the top banks in Nigeria. Whether you’re targeting GTBank, Access, First Bank, Zenith, or even Stanbic IBTC, I’ve gathered the gist for you.
Let’s talk money, benefits, and what to expect as a fresh fish in corporate banking waters.
First Off: What’s a Graduate Trainee?
A Graduate Trainee is simply a fresh graduate employed by a bank to go through a training program before being absorbed fully into a permanent role. It’s like NYSC, but with better suits and a stronger smell of money.
These training periods usually last between 3 to 12 months, depending on the bank, and involve intensive coaching, department rotations, and performance evaluations.
The salary during this period is not yet the full salary, but it’s still something decent (especially compared to joblessness).
Graduate Trainee Salary for All Top Banks in Nigeria (2025)
Below is a table showing the average monthly salaries for graduate trainees in Nigeria’s biggest commercial banks:
| Bank Name | Graduate Trainee Salary (₦ Monthly) | Notes |
| GTBank (GTCO) | ₦200,000 – ₦220,000 | High-end pay; strong training culture |
| Access Bank | ₦180,000 – ₦200,000 | Includes accommodation during training |
| Zenith Bank | ₦180,000 – ₦200,000 | Solid structure; great brand prestige |
| Stanbic IBTC | ₦180,000 – ₦210,000 | Great work culture and health benefits |
| First Bank of Nigeria | ₦150,000 – ₦180,000 | Reputable training academy |
| Union Bank | ₦120,000 – ₦150,000 | Competitive with good career progression |
| UBA (United Bank for Africa) | ₦90,000 – ₦120,000 | Lower entry salary but quicker confirmation |
| Fidelity Bank | ₦85,000 – ₦110,000 | Friendly work environment |
| FCMB | ₦100,000 – ₦120,000 | Includes feeding and transport stipend |
| Sterling Bank | ₦100,000 – ₦120,000 | Tech-savvy bank with upward mobility |
| Wema Bank | ₦70,000 – ₦100,000 | Young brand; decent entry pay |
| Keystone Bank | ₦60,000 – ₦90,000 | Pay increases after confirmation |
| Polaris Bank | ₦70,000 – ₦95,000 | Conservative salary but job stability |
| Ecobank Nigeria | ₦100,000 – ₦130,000 | Good regional exposure and growth opportunities |
Allowances & Benefits to Look Out For
Even though the base salary may seem modest, many of these banks throw in extra perks for their trainees:
Common Benefits:
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Free Accommodation (during training in some banks)
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Transport Allowance
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Feeding or Lunch Subsidy
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Medical Insurance
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Data/Wi-Fi Allowance (especially for virtual training)
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Performance Bonus after Training
So always ask during your interview or offer letter review, “Oga, is this salary gross or net?” and “Are there other allowances included?” You gats shine your eye.
Quick Tips to Land a Graduate Trainee Role
Want to secure that position? Here’s what you should do:
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Prepare for Online Tests: Most banks now do computer-based aptitude tests. Practice makes perfect.
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Update Your CV: Keep it short, relevant, and typo-free. And please, use a professional email (not [email protected] 🙏🏽).
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Network Wisely: LinkedIn is your friend. Slide into DMs respectfully.
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Sharpen Your Soft Skills: Communication, problem-solving, and customer service are gold in banking.
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Show Enthusiasm: At interviews, let your passion for finance and customer satisfaction shine through.
So… Which Bank Should You Choose?
If you’re all about the bag, GTBank, Access, and Stanbic IBTC take the crown. But remember, it's not just about the money. Think about:
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Growth potential
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Work-life balance (some banks can stress your destiny!)
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Training quality
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Culture and values
Sometimes, a lower-paying bank might offer faster promotions or better job satisfaction.
Final Thoughts
Being a graduate trainee in Nigeria’s top banks is still one of the best career starting points. You’ll get industry exposure, learn real-world skills, and set yourself up for bigger opportunities.
Start small, dream big—and don’t sleep on these entry roles. Some of today’s branch managers and CEOs started out just like this.
Are you applying for a bank trainee role or currently in training? Share your experiences, questions, or thoughts in the comments—let’s gist!