Salary Structure for Oil and Gas Jobs in Nigeria 2025/2026
Introduction
The oil and gas sector remains Nigeria’s most profitable and prestigious industry, attracting thousands of job seekers every year. Known for its lucrative compensation packages, extensive training programs, and international exposure, the sector offers some of the highest salaries in the country.
As the nation continues to implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and expand indigenous participation, salary structures and employment policies have been refined to align with global energy standards. This article explores, in depth, the salary structure for oil and gas jobs in Nigeria for 2025/2026, covering both international and indigenous companies, job levels, allowances, bonuses, and future outlooks.
Overview of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector
Nigeria remains one of the largest oil producers in Africa and a leading exporter of crude oil globally.
The sector is broadly divided into three main categories:
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Upstream: Exploration, drilling, and production of crude oil and gas.
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Midstream: Transportation, storage, and processing of oil and gas.
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Downstream: Refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products.
Employment opportunities are spread across these divisions, and salary structures differ based on experience, specialization, and company size.
2. Factors That Influence Oil and Gas Salaries in Nigeria
Before analyzing specific salary ranges, it’s important to understand the key factors determining pay in this industry:
a. Company Type
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International Oil Companies (IOCs): Examples include Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies. These firms generally offer the highest salaries, comprehensive benefits, and global training opportunities.
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Indigenous Companies: Firms like Seplat, Oando, and Waltersmith pay competitive but relatively lower wages compared to IOCs.
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Government-Owned Entities: The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and regulatory agencies have standardized civil service-based pay scales but offer good allowances and job security.
b. Job Level and Experience
Entry-level positions offer decent pay, but mid-level and senior executives earn significantly more, often including offshore and international allowances.
c. Location
Working in offshore or remote field locations attracts additional hardship and hazard allowances.
d. Educational Qualification and Certifications
Professionals with advanced degrees (MSc, PhD) or certifications such as PMP, BOSIET, NEBOSH, or COREN tend to earn more.
e. Role and Responsibility
Technical roles like petroleum engineering or drilling command higher pay than administrative positions due to complexity and risk exposure.
3. Salary Breakdown by Job Category (2025/2026)
The following section presents estimated monthly salaries across major job categories in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, based on verified industry data and salary surveys for 2025.
Salary Structure for Oil and Gas Jobs in Nigeria 2025/2026
Major Oil and Gas Job Categories in Nigeria
The sector is broad, offering career paths that cater to technical, administrative, and field-based roles.
Below are the major job categories available in 2025/2026:
a. Upstream Sector Jobs
These involve exploration, drilling, and production of crude oil and gas.
Roles include:
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Petroleum Engineers
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Geologists and Geophysicists
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Drilling Engineers
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Production Technicians
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Reservoir Engineers
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Subsea Engineers
b. Midstream Sector Jobs
This involves transportation, storage, and processing of crude oil and gas.
Roles include:
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Pipeline Engineers
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Project Managers
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Logistics Coordinators
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Maintenance Technicians
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Safety Officers
c. Downstream Sector Jobs
These focus on refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum products.
Roles include:
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Refinery Operators
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Chemical Engineers
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Quality Control Analysts
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Sales Executives
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Marketing Officers
d. Support and Administrative Roles
Beyond technical positions, the industry employs professionals in:
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Accounting and Finance
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Human Resources
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Information Technology
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Legal and Compliance
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Procurement and Logistics
These roles support the technical teams and ensure smooth operational delivery.
Top Oil and Gas Companies Recruiting in Nigeria 2025/2026
Here is a list of major players currently offering recruitment opportunities:
1. Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)
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Portal: www.nnpcgroup.com
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Positions: Graduate Trainees, Engineers, Accountants, and Geoscientists.
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Salary Range: ₦250,000 – ₦900,000 monthly, depending on role and experience.
2. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)
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Portal: www.shell.com.ng
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Roles: Production Engineers, Health and Safety Officers, Marine Technicians.
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Average Salary: ₦350,000 – ₦1,200,000 monthly.
3. Chevron Nigeria Limited
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Portal: www.chevron.com
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Positions: Offshore Technicians, Project Engineers, and Finance Analysts.
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Average Salary: ₦400,000 – ₦1,500,000 monthly.
4. ExxonMobil Nigeria
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Portal: www.exxonmobil.com
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Positions: Graduate Trainees, Marine Supervisors, Process Engineers.
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Salary: ₦300,000 – ₦1,300,000 monthly.
5. TotalEnergies Nigeria
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Portal: www.totalenergies.com.ng
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Roles: Instrumentation Engineers, Electrical Technicians, IT Officers.
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Average Salary: ₦280,000 – ₦1,000,000 monthly.
6. Seplat Energy
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Portal: www.seplatenergy.com
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Positions: Geologists, Safety Engineers, Corporate Communications Staff.
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Salary: ₦250,000 – ₦800,000 monthly.
7. Oando PLC
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Portal: www.oandoplc.com
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Roles: Business Analysts, Accountants, Legal Advisors, Engineers.
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Salary: ₦200,000 – ₦750,000 monthly.
8. Waltersmith Petroman Oil
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Portal: www.waltersmithng.com
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Positions: Refinery Operators, Electrical Engineers, Welders.
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Average Salary: ₦180,000 – ₦600,000 monthly.
9. Dangote Refinery
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Portal: www.dangote.com
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Roles: Process Engineers, Mechanical Technicians, Fire and Safety Staff.
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Salary: ₦150,000 – ₦700,000 monthly.
10. BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals
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Portal: www.buagroup.com
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Positions: Electrical Engineers, Lab Analysts, and Maintenance Supervisors.
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Salary: ₦200,000 – ₦800,000 monthly.
Salary Structure for Oil and Gas Jobs in Nigeria 2025/2026
A. Graduate and Entry-Level Positions
Fresh graduates entering oil and gas companies typically undergo one year of structured training before full deployment.
| Position | Average Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Trainee | ₦250,000 – ₦400,000 | ₦3,000,000 – ₦4,800,000 |
| Technical Assistant | ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦2,400,000 – ₦4,200,000 |
| Junior Engineer | ₦300,000 – ₦500,000 | ₦3,600,000 – ₦6,000,000 |
Note: International companies often offer higher starting salaries and training opportunities abroad.
B. Engineering and Technical Roles
Engineering positions form the backbone of oil and gas operations and attract significant compensation.
| Position | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineer | ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000 | ₦7,200,000 – ₦18,000,000 |
| Drilling Engineer | ₦700,000 – ₦2,200,000 | ₦8,400,000 – ₦26,400,000 |
| Production Engineer | ₦600,000 – ₦1,200,000 | ₦7,200,000 – ₦14,400,000 |
| Reservoir Engineer | ₦800,000 – ₦1,800,000 | ₦9,600,000 – ₦21,600,000 |
| Maintenance Engineer | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 | ₦4,800,000 – ₦10,800,000 |
These professionals are often required to work on offshore rigs or remote field locations and receive additional risk allowances.
C. Geosciences and Exploration Roles
Geologists and geophysicists play a critical role in exploration and drilling projects.
| Position | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Geologist | ₦500,000 – ₦1,300,000 | ₦6,000,000 – ₦15,600,000 |
| Geophysicist | ₦600,000 – ₦1,500,000 | ₦7,200,000 – ₦18,000,000 |
| Mud Logger | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 | ₦4,800,000 – ₦10,800,000 |
D. Project Management and Operations
Project managers oversee large-scale field operations and are among the top earners.
| Position | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Project Engineer | ₦700,000 – ₦1,400,000 | ₦8,400,000 – ₦16,800,000 |
| Project Manager | ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,500,000 | ₦12,000,000 – ₦30,000,000 |
| Operations Manager | ₦800,000 – ₦2,000,000 | ₦9,600,000 – ₦24,000,000 |
E. Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Roles
HSE professionals ensure compliance with industry safety standards.
| Position | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| HSE Officer | ₦300,000 – ₦700,000 | ₦3,600,000 – ₦8,400,000 |
| Safety Engineer | ₦400,000 – ₦1,000,000 | ₦4,800,000 – ₦12,000,000 |
| Environmental Specialist | ₦350,000 – ₦900,000 | ₦4,200,000 – ₦10,800,000 |
F. Administrative and Support Roles
Non-technical staff also benefit from the high salary standard in this sector.
| Position | Monthly Salary (₦) | Annual Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| HR Officer | ₦250,000 – ₦600,000 | ₦3,000,000 – ₦7,200,000 |
| Accountant / Finance Analyst | ₦300,000 – ₦700,000 | ₦3,600,000 – ₦8,400,000 |
| Legal Officer | ₦400,000 – ₦1,000,000 | ₦4,800,000 – ₦12,000,000 |
| Administrative Assistant | ₦150,000 – ₦400,000 | ₦1,800,000 – ₦4,800,000 |
Salary Comparison: International vs Indigenous Companies
| Company Type | Average Monthly Pay (₦) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Shell / Chevron / TotalEnergies | ₦800,000 – ₦2,500,000 | Include offshore and expatriate allowances. |
| ExxonMobil | ₦700,000 – ₦2,000,000 | High safety and housing benefits. |
| Seplat / Oando | ₦300,000 – ₦1,000,000 | Growing indigenous players with strong incentives. |
| NNPCL | ₦250,000 – ₦900,000 | Government-backed, offers pension and gratuity. |
| Dangote / BUA Refinery | ₦150,000 – ₦800,000 | Large-scale industrial jobs, structured pay. |
5. Salary packages in the oil and gas industry often include additional allowances that significantly increase total compensation.
Common Allowances:
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Offshore Allowance: ₦100,000 – ₦500,000 per month
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Hazard Allowance: ₦50,000 – ₦200,000
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Housing Allowance: 20%–30% of base salary
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Transportation Allowance: ₦50,000 – ₦150,000
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Meal Subsidy: ₦30,000 – ₦100,000 monthly
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Health and Insurance: Full medical coverage for employee and family
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Performance Bonus: ₦200,000 – ₦2,000,000 annually
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13th Month Salary: Most companies pay a full extra month as an end-of-year bonus
These benefits are in addition to pension contributions and international travel opportunities for training and conferences.
How Salaries Differ by Region and Job Environment
Oil and gas salaries also vary based on work location:
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Offshore Operations (Deepwater/Swamp Fields): Highest pay due to risk and isolation.
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Onshore Fields: Moderate salaries with housing and transport incentives.
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Corporate Headquarters (Lagos, Abuja): Balanced compensation with office-based benefits.
Salary Structure for Oil and Gas Jobs in Nigeria 2025/2026
Emerging Trends Affecting Salaries in 2025/2026
The Nigerian oil and gas industry is evolving, with several trends influencing pay structures:
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Digital Transformation: Increased demand for data scientists, automation engineers, and software developers in energy analytics.
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Renewable Integration: Hybrid energy companies now offer similar salaries for solar and gas projects.
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Local Content Policy: More Nigerian professionals are occupying roles previously reserved for expatriates, improving pay equality.
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Energy Transition: The rise of LNG, gas monetization, and cleaner fuels is creating new high-paying job categories.
Career Progression and Long-Term Earning Potential
A well-planned oil and gas career offers exponential salary growth.
| Experience Level | Typical Role | Average Monthly Salary (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Graduate Trainee | ₦250,000 – ₦400,000 |
| 3–5 years | Field Engineer / Analyst | ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 |
| 6–10 years | Senior Engineer / Supervisor | ₦900,000 – ₦1,800,000 |
| 11–15 years | Project / Operations Manager | ₦1,500,000 – ₦3,000,000 |
| 16+ years | Senior Executive / Director | ₦3,000,000 – ₦6,000,000+ |
Career growth is accelerated through continuous learning, international certification, and consistent performance.
Comparison with Other Sectors in Nigeria
| Industry | Average Monthly Salary (₦) |
|---|---|
| Oil and Gas | ₦600,000 – ₦2,500,000 |
| Banking | ₦200,000 – ₦700,000 |
| ICT / Telecom | ₦250,000 – ₦800,000 |
| Manufacturing | ₦150,000 – ₦600,000 |
| Education | ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Public Service | ₦80,000 – ₦250,000 |
Clearly, the oil and gas sector leads the national salary index by a significant margin.
Conclusion
The salary structure for oil and gas jobs in Nigeria 2025/2026 remains one of the most attractive in Africa, reflecting the industry’s technical demands, global relevance, and financial strength.
From graduate trainees to top executives, professionals in this field enjoy not only competitive base salaries but also numerous allowances, health benefits, and international exposure.
While competition is intense and entry requirements are high, those who excel in technical expertise, safety compliance, and project execution can expect steady career advancement and financial rewards.
As Nigeria continues its energy transition, expanding into gas utilization and renewable sources, the oil and gas sector will remain the backbone of high-income employment, offering unparalleled career and financial growth for qualified Nigerians in 2025 and beyond.
