Registered Nurse Salaries in Nigeria 2026: Your State-by-State Guide
Fellow Nurses Africa 27 February 2026
Registered nurses (RNs) form the foundation of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, providing critical care in hospitals, clinics and community health settings. Yet pay remains uneven across the country, shaped by differences in how states apply the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS),greed on the part of private hospital owners,local budgets and additional allowances.
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CONHESS is the official pay framework for non-physician health professionals in the public sector, including nurses. It was last adjusted at the federal level to reflect the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 introduced in mid-2024. While federal institutions follow it consistently, state governments vary in full or partial implementation.
A key recent change came from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC). In early 2026, the commission approved a 300% increase in the annual uniform allowance for nurses in federal employment, lifting it from ₦20,000 to ₦80,000 per year. Effective from 1 January 2026 and paid through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), this adds roughly ₦6,667 to monthly take-home pay for eligible federal RNs. The move responds to long-standing calls from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for better welfare amid rising living costs.
Nurse Leaders continue to press for wider reforms, including a full CONHESS review, improved shift and call-duty allowances, specialist increments for advanced qualifications, and the creation of a dedicated Directorate of Nursing Services at the Federal Ministry of Health. Recent union actions, including NANNM and elements of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) negotiations, have kept these issues in focus.
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CONHESS levels for registered nurses (incorporating standard allowances such as hazard pay of ₦30,000–₦50,000) typically include:
- CONHESS 07 (entry-level RN): ₦150,000–₦200,000 monthly
- CONHESS 09 (mid-level RN): ₦220,000–₦300,000
- CONHESS 11 (senior RN): ₦300,000–₦400,000
- CONHESS 13+ (chief or specialist RN): ₦400,000–₦500,000+
These ranges exclude overtime, call duty or specialist allowances (which can add 10–20% for nurses with MSc or other postgraduate credentials). Private-sector pay varies widely, often lower at entry level but higher in specialist urban facilities.
The table below shows estimated median monthly salaries for mid-level registered nurses (CONHESS 09 equivalent) in state government hospitals. Figures draw from union reports, state announcements, salary surveys and sector analyses as of early 2026. Ranges reflect local allowances and implementation differences; actual pay depends on exact grade, experience and extras.
| State/Location | Estimated Median Monthly Salary (₦) | Key Implementation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abia | 150,000–250,000 | Partial rollout; recent local government approvals |
| Adamawa | 130,000–220,000 | Limited northern adoption |
| Akwa Ibom | 180,000–300,000 | Competitive in oil-rich region |
| Anambra | 180,000–300,000 | Full 100% CONHESS since October 2025 |
| Bauchi | 130,000–200,000 | Lower northern baseline |
| Bayelsa | 190,000–320,000 | Oil-related supplements |
| Benue | 130,000–220,000 | Partial implementation |
| Borno | 130,000–200,000 | Security and funding challenges |
| Cross River | 150,000–250,000 | Southern average |
| Delta | 190,000–330,000 | Strong oil-state enhancements |
| Ebonyi | 140,000–230,000 | Eastern range |
| Edo | 150,000–250,000 | Moderate; urban influence |
| Ekiti | 140,000–230,000 | Southwestern constraints |
| Enugu | 150,000–250,000 | Partial; ongoing union advocacy |
| Gombe | 130,000–200,000 | Northern lower end |
| Imo | 150,000–250,000 | Eastern average |
| Jigawa | 130,000–200,000 | Lower adoption |
| Kaduna | 140,000–230,000 | CONHESS implemented September 2025 |
| Kano | 140,000–230,000 | Northern urban; federal facilities higher |
| Katsina | 130,000–200,000 | Lower range |
| Kebbi | 130,000–200,000 | Northern peers |
| Kogi | 140,000–230,000 | Central moderate |
| Kwara | 140,000–230,000 | North-central average |
| Lagos | 200,000–400,000+ | Highest due to demand and private sector |
| Nasarawa | 130,000–220,000 | Proximity to FCT |
| Niger | 130,000–220,000 | Lower central |
| Ogun | 160,000–280,000 | Benefits from Lagos adjacency |
| Ondo | 140,000–230,000 | Southwestern |
| Osun | 140,000–230,000 | Similar to regional peers |
| Oyo | 150,000–250,000 | Urban factor in Ibadan |
| Plateau | 140,000–220,000 | Moderate northern |
| Rivers | 190,000–350,000+ | Oil-rich; strong supplements |
| Sokoto | 130,000–200,000 | Northwestern lower |
| Taraba | 130,000–200,000 | Northeastern |
| Yobe | 130,000–200,000 | Similar challenges |
| Zamfara | 130,000–200,000 | Lower; security considerations |
| FCT (Abuja) | 220,000–450,000 | Federal institutions drive higher pay |
A north-south divide is clear: southern and oil-producing states often provide stronger pay to match higher living costs, while many northern states face tighter budgets. Inflation, projected at 25–30% in 2026, continues to reduce real earnings despite the uniform allowance rise.
For nurses with advanced qualifications such as an MSc, specialist or responsibility allowances can meaningfully increase take-home pay in both public and private roles. Uniform national standards would help curb the ongoing migration of skilled nurses abroad.
RNs should check with NANNM state chapters, local health ministries or NSIWC circulars for the latest details, as negotiations and budget decisions can lead to changes.
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