A guide to Medical doctors’ salary in Nigeria

A medical career in Nigeria is the dream of many young people. Over 452,443 students applied to study medicine in Nigerian Universities in 2023. A good number of them are not only attracted by the prestige of the occupation but by the promise of a fat salary. 

In this article, I will reveal what doctors earn in Nigeria based on their experience and specialisation.

Medical profession in Nigeria

The practice of medicine in Nigeria pre-dates the colonial era. For centuries, the various tribes that now make up what we know as Nigeria, resorted to local physicians who used herbs to treat illness.

 The healthcare sector was driven by the Christian missions that came to Nigeria during the colonial period. In fact, by 1960, the hospitals owned by missions had exceeded the government-owned hospitals.

 In 1988, the MDCN (Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria) was established and it is responsible for licensing medical doctors, and dentists, supervising modern healthcare practice and alternative medicine in Nigeria.

How to become a medical doctor in Nigeria

There are some steps aspiring medical doctors would have to take;

• Pass your O’level exams with credits in Maths, English, Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
• Achieve high scores in your UTME exams.
• Gain admission to study medicine at an accredited or foreign university acceptable to MDCN.
• Complete your 6 years of medical training and get licensed by the MDCN.
• Do your Housemanship in a hospital licensed by MDCN.
• Participate in the National Youth Service Corps.

How much are medical doctors paid in Nigeria?

All medical doctors are not paid equally because their specializations and experience differ. I would explore the salary of doctors in Nigeria based on these different criteria.

Payment based on experience

The salaries of medical doctors based on their experience is detailed below;

S/N	LEVEL	AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY
1	Housemanship	N 188,000
2	NYSC doctor	N 72,000 (This includes the NYSC Allowance)
3	Junior Resident (Government Hospitals)	N 220,000
4	Senior Resident (Government Hospitals)	N 260,000
5	Resident (Private Hospital)	N 200,000
6	Consultant (Government Hospital)	N 600,000
7	Consultant (Private  Hospital)	N 500,000

These are estimated averages I have obtained by interviewing different doctors.

Payment based on specialisation

The salaries of medical doctors based on their specialisation is detailed below

S/N	SPECIALIZATION	AVERAGE MONTHLY  SALARY
1	Obstetrics and Gynaecology	N 270,000
2	Cardiology	N 600,000
3	ENT	N 600,000
4	Pediatrics	N 300,000
5	Orthopaedics	N 1,400,000
6	Endocrinology	N 400,000
7	Psychiatry	N 300,000
8	Oncology	N 750,000
9	Plastic surgery	N 1,375,000
10	Dermatology	N 300,000
11	Ophthalmology	N 150,000
12	Gastroenterology	N 700,000
13	Generalist	N 175,000
14	Neurologist	N 600, 000

Salary figures can vary from hospital to hospital.

Working Conditions of Doctors in Nigeria

Qualified doctors are scarce in Nigeria. In fact, according to the NMA, there is a ratio of 1 doctor to 10,000 patients in Nigeria. As a result, Nigerian doctors are overworked and have to operate under poor working conditions. These kinds of working conditions are stressful, and demotivating and leading many doctors to leave the country in search of greener pastures.

Conclusion

Doctors are some of the best-paid professionals in Nigeria. However, this doesn’t mean that the profession doesn’t have its challenges. In Nigeria, becoming a medical doctor requires a lengthy training period, which doesn’t guarantee a lucrative job.

When poor working conditions are considered, the salary of most doctors is not an adequate compensation.