Sg Executives Salary Scale, Grade Levels & Allowances For Staff In Nigeria (2025): Official Guide
Are you aiming for a senior civil service job at the state level? Curious about how much Executives—like Directors, Assistant Directors, and Permanent Secretaries—earn in 2025? This guide unpacks the official salary structure, allowances, and grade-level breakdown for State Government (SG) Executive roles under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS).
Who Qualifies as a State Executive?
In the state civil service, “Executives” typically refer to senior officers—ranging from Assistant Directors up to Permanent Secretaries—who lead departments and play major roles in policy implementation. These positions are mapped to specific Grade Levels (GL) within CONPSS, ranging from GL 06 to GL 17.
State Executive Salary by Grade Level (2025)
The table below shows the basic monthly salary ranges for state-level executives:
Grade Level (GL) |
Step 1 Basic Pay (₦) |
Step 15 Basic Pay (₦) |
Common Roles |
GL 06 – 08 |
₦140,000 – ₦220,000 |
₦180,000 – ₦300,000 |
Assistant Directors, Senior Section Heads |
GL 09 – 12 |
₦260,000 – ₦400,000 |
₦350,000 – ₦600,000 |
Directors, Deputy Directors |
GL 13 – 14 |
₦400,000 – ₦500,000 |
₦500,000 – ₦700,000 |
Permanent Secretaries, Higher Executives |
GL 15 – 17 |
₦600,000 – ₦800,000+ |
₦800,000 – ₦1.2M+ |
Permanent Secretaries, Top Commissioners |
Note: "Step" denotes years of service within the grade—one step is typically added per year.
Allowances Earned by Executives
In addition to base pay, state executives receive a range of monthly and periodic allowances that significantly increase their total compensation.
Monthly Allowances
- Transport/Vehicle Allowance
- Utility & Meals Allowance
- Housing/Rent Subsidy
- Domestic Staff or Personal Assistant Allowance
- Duty Tour Allowance (when assigned outside town)
Periodic Benefits
- Leave Bonus (paid annually)
- Furniture/Office Setup Allowance
- Estacode & Travel Dues for official trips
- Training & Professional Development Grants
- Retirement or Leave-Gratuity Support
These extras can push actual take-home pay well above the basic salary—especially at higher grades.
Salary Example: GL 12 Officer
Let’s break it down with a typical Grade Level 12, Step 1 officer:
Component |
Amount (₦) |
Basic Salary |
₦260,000 |
Transport Allowance |
₦65,000 |
Utility/Meals Subsidy |
₦39,000 |
Housing Allowance |
₦80,000 |
Estimated Monthly Total |
₦444,000 |
This total rises steadily as the officer progresses through steps or receives a promotion.
Growth & Promotion Path
- Step Increments: Automatically earned annually within the same GL.
- Promotions: Eligible officers may be promoted to higher GLs based on competency, vacancy, exams, and experience.
- Transfers: Moving to parastatals or wealthier states can yield higher pay or perks.
Summary Table: Executive Pay with Allowances
Grade Level |
Basic Pay (₦) |
Total with Allowances (₦) |
GL 06–08 |
140–300k |
200–400k+ |
GL 09–12 |
260–600k |
350–800k+ |
GL 13–14 |
400–700k |
600k–1M+ |
GL 15–17 |
600k–1.2M+ |
950k–2.2M+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can Executives earn over ₦1 million/month?
Yes—especially at GL 15–17 with full allowances.
Q2: Are allowances taxable?
Basic salary is taxable; however, certain allowances may be exempt or partially taxed.
Q3: Who sets state pay scales?
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) sets broad guidelines via CONPSS. States may top-up allowances based on capacity.
Q4: How can one be promoted quickly?
Through successful promotion exams, performance evaluations, and when vacancies are available.
Final Thoughts
State executive positions in Nigeria today offer competitive and transparent compensation. With diligent service and promotions, a state-level public servant can expect:
- A monthly take-home pay ranging from ₦200k to over ₦2 million, depending on their grade and allowances.
- Clear career advancement via steps and promotions.
- Additional perks tied to housing, travel, utility, and office support.
If you're looking at a senior role in the state civil service, now is a great time to apply—it offers both stability and significant earning potential.