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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Highest Paying Academic Professions In Nigeria On Federal, Private & State Level (2025)
When it comes to academic jobs in Nigeria, not all chalkboards are created equal — and neither are the salaries. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a university professor, a senior lecturer, or even a principal in a top secondary school, your pay heavily depends on where you work: federal, state, or private institutions.
In this 2025 guide, we break down the highest paying academic professions in Nigeria, comparing salaries across the three main sectors — Federal, State, and Private. If you're an aspiring academic or already in the system looking to upgrade, this post will help you know exactly where the money is.
What Are Academic Professions?
Academic professions include roles that are directly involved in teaching, research, and administration in the educational system. This spans across:
- Nursery, primary, and secondary schools
- Colleges of education
- Polytechnics
- Universities (both public and private)
Factors That Influence Academic Salaries in Nigeria
|
Factor |
Effect on Salary |
|
Institution Type |
Federal > Private > State (on average) |
|
Academic Qualification |
Higher degrees = higher salary |
|
Teaching Rank/Position |
Professor earns more than a Lecturer II |
|
Experience Level |
More years = better pay and perks |
|
Location |
Urban/private institutions often pay more |
Highest Paying Academic Professions in Nigeria (2025)
Here’s a ranked list of well-paying academic positions based on updated salary scales and verified school payrolls.
Federal Institutions
|
Rank |
Academic Position |
Monthly Salary (₦) |
Pay Grade |
|
1️⃣ |
Professor |
₦550,000 – ₦850,000 |
CONUASS 7 |
|
2️⃣ |
Associate Professor |
₦400,000 – ₦650,000 |
CONUASS 6 |
|
3️⃣ |
Senior Lecturer |
₦320,000 – ₦500,000 |
CONUASS 5 |
|
4️⃣ |
Lecturer I |
₦250,000 – ₦400,000 |
CONUASS 4 |
|
5️⃣ |
Lecturer II |
₦210,000 – ₦350,000 |
CONUASS 3 |
|
6️⃣ |
Assistant Lecturer |
₦180,000 – ₦280,000 |
CONUASS 2 |
|
7️⃣ |
Graduate Assistant |
₦150,000 – ₦220,000 |
CONUASS 1 |
Federal universities and polytechnics use standardized salary scales like CONUASS (for universities) and CONTISS/CONPCASS (for polytechnics and colleges of education).
Private Institutions
|
Rank |
Academic Role |
Monthly Salary (₦) |
Highlights |
|
1️⃣ |
Vice Chancellor / Rector |
₦800,000 – ₦1.2 million |
Highly competitive; housing & travel included |
|
2️⃣ |
Professor |
₦500,000 – ₦900,000 |
Based on ranking & prestige of institution |
|
3️⃣ |
Senior Lecturer / HOD |
₦400,000 – ₦700,000 |
May include research bonuses |
|
4️⃣ |
Lecturer I / II |
₦250,000 – ₦500,000 |
Many get annual performance bonuses |
|
5️⃣ |
Principal (Secondary School) |
₦300,000 – ₦700,000 |
Top international/private schools only |
|
6️⃣ |
Subject Teacher (WAEC/IGCSE Level) |
₦200,000 – ₦450,000 |
Core science & language teachers paid more |
Note: Top-tier private universities and international schools like Covenant, Babcock, AUN, Loyola Jesuit, and Greensprings School are among the best-paying institutions.
State Institutions
|
Rank |
Academic Position |
Monthly Salary (₦) |
Remarks |
|
1️⃣ |
Professor |
₦400,000 – ₦650,000 |
Varies by state; some pay poorly |
|
2️⃣ |
Associate Professor |
₦320,000 – ₦500,000 |
Few allowances; political influence |
|
3️⃣ |
Senior Lecturer |
₦250,000 – ₦400,000 |
Some states delay salary payments |
|
4️⃣ |
Lecturer I |
₦200,000 – ₦350,000 |
Basic research grants often unavailable |
|
5️⃣ |
Lecturer II |
₦180,000 – ₦300,000 |
Some states offer housing subsidies |
State-run schools typically offer lower salaries and slower promotion. However, certain states like Lagos, Rivers, and Ogun offer above-average packages.
Common Benefits for Academics in Nigeria
|
Benefit |
Who Gets It |
|
Housing Allowance |
Professors, Heads of Departments, VCs |
|
Book & Research Grant |
Federal and some private institutions |
|
Conference Sponsorship |
Mostly federal and premium private schools |
|
Transport Allowance |
Senior staff or remote location posting |
|
Health Insurance |
Available in federal institutions mostly |
|
Sabbatical Leave |
Professors and associate professors |
FAQs on Academic Pay in Nigeria
1. What is the highest paid academic profession in Nigeria?
A Professor in a federal or top private university earns the highest — up to ₦850,000 or more monthly, plus benefits.
2. Do private schools pay better than federal institutions?
Elite private institutions may offer better packages than federal schools, but this is limited to top-ranking schools only.
3. Are salaries the same in all federal universities?
Yes, most follow CONUASS, but benefits and bonuses may vary depending on internal policies.
4. What’s the starting salary for a university lecturer in Nigeria?
A Graduate Assistant starts at around ₦150,000 – ₦220,000/month, depending on the institution and location.
Final Thoughts
Academic work may not always be glamorous in Nigeria, but if you know where to look, it can be very rewarding. Federal universities and high-end private schools offer the best in salary and benefits, while state institutions vary greatly in compensation.
So whether you’re aiming for the whiteboard or the research lab, make sure your career path aligns with your financial goals and professional growth.
