Highest Paying NGOs in Nigeria and Their Salary

Are you among the people who want to work for a nongovernmental organization because of the benefits it provides? These organizations often provide meaningful careers, competitive salaries, and opportunities for professional growth. If you are searching for the highest paying NGOs in Nigeria and their salary, you are likely looking for organizations that offer good employee benefits, stable employment, and fair compensation.

Nigeria has hundreds of local and international NGOs working in areas such as healthcare, education, agriculture, humanitarian assistance, governance, human rights, and economic development. Salaries differ based on the organization, job role, years of experience, qualifications, project funding, and location.

This guide explains some of the highest paying NGOs in Nigeria, the types of jobs they offer, estimated salary ranges, and the factors that influence employee pay.

What Is an NGO?

A nongovernmental organization, often called an NGO, is a nonprofit organization that works independently from the government. Most NGOs focus on solving social, economic, environmental, or humanitarian challenges.

NGOs receive funding from international donors, governments, private foundations, companies, and individuals. They use these funds to carry out projects that improve people’s lives.

Employees in NGOs include health professionals, project managers, accountants, engineers, researchers, finance officers, communication specialists, lawyers, monitoring and evaluation experts, and administrative staff.

Do NGOs Pay High Salaries in Nigeria?

Some NGOs offer salaries that compete with those of multinational companies. International NGOs generally pay more than local NGOs because they receive larger project funding and operate across several countries.

However, not every position comes with a high salary. Entry level employees usually earn less than experienced professionals. Senior managers, technical specialists, and directors receive the highest salaries.

Benefits may also include medical insurance, pension contributions, paid leave, training opportunities, travel allowances, and performance bonuses.

Factors That Affect NGO Salaries

Several factors determine how much an NGO employee earns.

Work experience

Professionals with many years of experience often receive higher salaries than fresh graduates.

Education

Advanced qualifications such as a master’s degree or professional certification can increase earning potential.

Job position

Senior management positions usually receive higher pay than entry level roles.

International funding

Large international NGOs often have larger budgets for salaries and employee benefits.

Project duration

Some projects are funded for several years, while others are short term. This may affect salary levels and job security.

Location

Employees working in major cities or difficult field locations may receive different salary packages.

Highest Paying NGOs in Nigeria

The following organizations are widely recognized for offering competitive salaries in Nigeria. Salary figures are estimates and may change depending on funding, project size, experience, and job role.

United Nations Children’s Fund

The United Nations Children’s Fund works to improve the lives of children through education, nutrition, healthcare, child protection, and emergency response.

Common positions include project officer, education specialist, health specialist, finance officer, communication officer, and programme manager.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level staff may earn between ₦500,000 and ₦900,000.
Mid level professionals may earn between ₦900,000 and ₦2 million.
Senior professionals and managers may earn more than ₦3 million each month.

Employees may also receive health insurance, pension, annual leave, and training opportunities.

World Health Organization

The World Health Organization supports health programmes, disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, and emergency response.

Professionals employed include medical officers, epidemiologists, laboratory specialists, public health experts, data analysts, and programme managers.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level professionals may earn between ₦450,000 and ₦800,000.
Experienced specialists often earn between ₦1 million and ₦2.5 million.
Senior managers may receive over ₦3 million monthly.

International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee supports displaced people, refugees, healthcare, education, and economic recovery.

Available roles include project coordinator, finance officer, logistics officer, monitoring specialist, and protection officer.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦300,000 and ₦600,000.
Experienced professionals often receive between ₦700,000 and ₦1.8 million monthly.
Senior management salaries may exceed ₦2 million.

Save the Children

Save the Children works to improve education, child health, nutrition, and child protection.

Job opportunities include programme officer, education officer, finance manager, monitoring specialist, communication officer, and operations manager.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level staff may earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000.
Mid level employees often receive between ₦600,000 and ₦1.5 million.
Senior professionals may earn over ₦2 million monthly.

Catholic Relief Services

Catholic Relief Services operates projects in agriculture, healthcare, education, food security, and emergency response.

Common positions include project manager, finance officer, procurement specialist, accountant, agricultural expert, and monitoring officer.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦300,000 and ₦600,000.
Experienced staff often receive between ₦800,000 and ₦2 million.
Senior management salaries may exceed ₦2.5 million.

Management Sciences for Health

Management Sciences for Health supports healthcare systems, disease control, and public health programmes.

Typical positions include health specialist, finance manager, procurement officer, laboratory adviser, and programme director.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦350,000 and ₦700,000.
Experienced professionals often receive between ₦900,000 and ₦2 million.
Senior staff may earn above ₦2.5 million each month.

FHI 360

FHI 360 is one of the largest international development organizations operating in Nigeria. It focuses on health, education, nutrition, agriculture, and research.

Available jobs include technical adviser, finance officer, grants officer, data analyst, project manager, and laboratory specialist.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦350,000 and ₦700,000.
Experienced staff often receive between ₦900,000 and ₦2.2 million.
Senior professionals may earn more than ₦3 million monthly.

Society for Family Health

Society for Family Health is one of Nigeria’s largest public health organizations. It works on malaria prevention, reproductive health, tuberculosis, and HIV programmes.

Job opportunities include programme officer, accountant, monitoring specialist, medical adviser, and communications officer.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000.
Mid level staff often receive between ₦600,000 and ₦1.4 million.
Senior managers may earn above ₦2 million monthly.

Pathfinder International

Pathfinder International focuses on reproductive health, maternal health, and family planning.

Common positions include programme coordinator, finance officer, technical adviser, and monitoring specialist.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000.
Experienced professionals often receive between ₦700,000 and ₦1.6 million.
Senior managers may receive over ₦2 million monthly.

Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger works on nutrition, food security, water supply, sanitation, and humanitarian assistance.

Available positions include nutrition officer, logistics officer, finance officer, project manager, and monitoring specialist.

Estimated monthly salary:

Entry level employees may earn between ₦250,000 and ₦500,000.
Experienced staff often receive between ₦700,000 and ₦1.8 million.
Senior professionals may earn more than ₦2 million monthly.

Common High Paying NGO Jobs

Certain positions consistently attract higher salaries because they require technical expertise or leadership experience.

Programme Manager

Programme managers supervise projects, budgets, staff, and donor reporting.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦800,000 to over ₦3 million.

Finance Manager

Finance managers oversee budgets, financial reporting, audits, and compliance.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦700,000 to ₦2.5 million.

Technical Adviser

Technical advisers provide expert guidance in healthcare, education, agriculture, engineering, or governance.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦900,000 to over ₦3 million.

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

These professionals measure project performance and prepare reports for donors.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦500,000 to ₦2 million.

Procurement Specialist

Procurement specialists manage purchasing processes and ensure value for money.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦500,000 to ₦1.8 million.

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers recruit staff, manage employee welfare, and oversee organizational policies.

Estimated monthly salary ranges from ₦600,000 to ₦2 million.

Benefits of Working for an NGO

Many NGOs provide benefits beyond monthly salaries.
Employees may receive comprehensive medical insurance.
Most organizations contribute to pension schemes.
Many NGOs invest in employee training and professional development.
Paid annual leave is usually included.
Some organizations provide housing support or transport allowances.
International NGOs sometimes sponsor international conferences and workshops.
Employees may also receive communication allowances and project related travel support.

Skills That Increase Your Salary in an NGO

Developing valuable skills can improve your chances of earning a higher salary.

Project management is highly valued.
Financial management and accounting remain important.
Monitoring and evaluation skills are in high demand.
Knowledge of public health programmes is useful.
Strong communication and report writing skills improve employability.
Data analysis and research experience can increase earning potential.
Grant management is another valuable skill.
Leadership experience is important for senior positions.

How to Get a High Paying NGO Job in Nigeria

Start by earning relevant qualifications for your chosen career.

Gain practical experience through internships or volunteer work.
Build professional skills through training and certifications.
Prepare a strong curriculum vitae that highlights measurable achievements.
Learn how donor funded projects operate.
Improve your computer skills, especially spreadsheet, reporting, and presentation software.
Apply for positions that match your education and experience.
Attend professional networking events where NGO employers recruit staff.

Keep learning because many organizations prefer candidates who continue developing their skills.

Are International NGOs Better Than Local NGOs?

International NGOs generally offer higher salaries because they receive funding from multiple international partners. They also provide structured career development and better employee benefits.

Local NGOs may offer lower salaries, but they often provide valuable work experience, leadership opportunities, and career growth. Many professionals begin with local organizations before moving to larger international employers.

Choosing between the two depends on your career goals, experience, and preferred working environment.

Conclusion

Many NGOs in Nigeria provide attractive salaries, especially international organizations working in healthcare, education, humanitarian assistance, and development. Organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, FHI 360, International Rescue Committee, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, Society for Family Health, Management Sciences for Health, Pathfinder International, and Action Against Hunger are among those known for competitive pay.

Actual salaries depend on your qualifications, work experience, job level, project funding, and location. Professionals who continue developing technical and leadership skills often have better opportunities to secure higher paying positions within the NGO sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which NGO pays the highest salary in Nigeria?

International organizations such as the United Nations Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, and FHI 360 are generally among the highest paying NGOs in Nigeria. Actual salaries vary depending on the position and experience.

What is the average salary of NGO workers in Nigeria?

Entry level employees often earn between ₦200,000 and ₦500,000 per month, while experienced professionals may earn between ₦700,000 and over ₦2 million monthly.

Do NGOs pay more than government jobs?

Some international NGOs pay significantly more than many government positions. However, salaries depend on the organization, job role, and employee qualifications.

Can fresh graduates work in NGOs?

Yes. Many NGOs recruit graduates for entry level positions, internships, graduate trainee programmes, and volunteer opportunities that can lead to permanent employment.

Which qualifications are useful for NGO jobs?

Degrees in public health, medicine, accounting, economics, agriculture, engineering, education, social sciences, and business administration are commonly required. Professional certifications can also improve employment prospects.