Top 10 Highest Paying Federal Jobs in Nigeria 2025

Want to know the best paying federal jobs in Nigeria 2025? Working for the federal government is a great career choice. You get job security, a good pension, and excellent pay. In 2025, the highest paying federal jobs in Nigeria attract many skilled professionals looking for stable and well-paid work.

This guide shows you the top 10 highest paying federal jobs in Nigeria. You’ll learn about salaries, what the jobs involve, and what qualifications you need. Whether you’re planning your career or looking for new opportunities, this guide will help you understand these top federal positions. Federal jobs offer more than just good pay. They give you job security, great benefits, and long-term career growth.

Quick Summary: Top Paying Federal Jobs at a Glance

Senior Judge – ₦750,000–₦1,200,000 monthly
Federal Permanent Secretary – ₦650,000–₦950,000 monthly
CBN Deputy Governor – ₦600,000–₦900,000 monthly
Medical Director (Federal Hospital) – ₦550,000–₦850,000 monthly
Federal Inspector General – ₦500,000–₦800,000 monthly
University Vice-Chancellor – ₦480,000–₦750,000 monthly
Director-General (Federal Agency) – ₦450,000–₦700,000 monthly
Federal Tax Commissioner – ₦420,000–₦650,000 monthly
Consultant Specialist (Federal Medical) – ₦400,000–₦650,000 monthly
Federal Engineer (Grade Level 16–17) – ₦380,000–₦600,000 monthly

How We Ranked These Jobs

We based our ranking of the highest paying federal jobs in Nigeria on official government pay scales and 2025 salary information. We looked at base pay, extra money (allowances), and benefits. We did not count bonuses that come and go. We ranked jobs by the top salary they can reach.

1. Senior Judge

Senior Judge is the highest paying federal job in Nigeria. The court system employs senior judges who lead cases at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. These jobs are the most respected and pay the most in Nigeria’s federal government.

Entry-level salary (Junior Judge): ₦400,000 – ₦600,000 per month
Middle salary (Court of Appeal Judge): ₦650,000 – ₦900,000 per month
Top salary (Senior Judge): ₦750,000 – ₦1,200,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food money, a car
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, training abroad, good pension
What you need: Law degree, 15–20 years as a lawyer, clean record

Senior judges handle hard legal cases. They write important court decisions. They help shape Nigeria’s laws. This job needs very smart lawyers and people of high character. Because judges do such important work and need so much training, they earn the top pay.

2. Federal Permanent Secretary

Federal Permanent Secretary is the top job in Nigeria’s federal government offices. These officials lead the offices in federal ministries and departments. They work as the chief money officer and main advisor to cabinet ministers.

Entry-level salary (Deputy Director): ₦380,000 – ₦520,000 per month
Middle salary (Principal Director): ₦600,000 – ₦850,000 per month
Top salary (Permanent Secretary): ₦650,000 – ₦950,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food money, meal help
Other benefits: Car, year-end bonus, training abroad, conference money
What you need: Master’s degree, 10–15 years in federal work, good management skills

Permanent Secretaries watch over money budgets worth billions of naira. They lead federal workers. They put government plans into action. They work with the President and cabinet. They have a lot of say in how Nigeria grows. Because they handle such large budgets and do critical work, they earn excellent pay.

3. CBN Deputy Governor

CBN Deputy Governor is one of the top paying federal jobs in Nigeria’s money sector. The Central Bank of Nigeria is the best paying government office in the country. It manages the nation’s money system and puts money plans into action.

Entry-level salary (Manager): ₦420,000 – ₦650,000 per month
Middle salary (Senior Manager): ₦700,000 – ₦1,000,000 per month
Top salary (Deputy Governor): ₦600,000 – ₦900,000 per month
Extra pay: Travel money, housing money, food help, doctor money
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, training abroad, car for top staff, conference money
What you need: Master’s degree in money or finance, 12–15 years in banks, money knowledge

The CBN Deputy Governor makes big choices about the nation’s money. They watch over the banking system. They help the economy grow. This job shapes how money works in Nigeria. The CBN hires the best money workers. Because the bank handles so much money and does such important work, it pays better than most government offices.

4. Medical Director (Federal Teaching Hospital)

Medical Director is a top paying federal job in Nigeria for doctors. Federal Teaching Hospitals hire senior doctors who lead hospital work and set high health care standards across the country.

Entry-level salary (Doctor): ₦380,000 – ₦520,000 per month
Middle salary (Specialist Doctor): ₦600,000 – ₦850,000 per month
Top salary (Medical Director): ₦550,000 – ₦850,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food help, doctor benefits
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, money for research, training, car
What you need: Doctor’s degree, 15–20 years as a doctor, specialist training

Medical Directors lead the hospital. They set health care standards. They watch over doctor teams. They lead new medical studies. They mix medical knowledge with office work. Big hospitals in Lagos, Abuja, and Ibadan pay the most. Federal teaching hospitals do very important work in health care and doctor training. This is why they pay well for top leaders.

5. Federal Inspector General (Police/Security Services)

Federal Inspector General is a top paying federal job in Nigeria’s safety sector. The Inspector General leads Nigeria’s police or safety services. They command thousands of workers and watch over the nation’s safety work at the highest level.

Entry-level salary (Police Officer): ₦350,000 – ₦500,000 per month
Middle salary (Assistant Inspector General): ₦650,000 – ₦950,000 per month
Top salary (Inspector General): ₦500,000 – ₦800,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, safety money, food help
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, car, safety team, training abroad
What you need: Safety or police work, 25+ years of service, great leader skills

The Inspector General makes safety plans for the nation. They watch over police money and workers. They lead crime work. They report to the President. This job has huge responsibility for keeping the nation safe. Because they manage so many workers and do such critical safety work, they earn top pay.

6. University Vice-Chancellor

University Vice-Chancellor is a top paying federal job in Nigeria for educators. Federal universities hire Vice-Chancellors as chief leaders and top thinkers of the school.

Entry-level salary (Teacher GL 1–6): ₦380,000 – ₦550,000 per month
Middle salary (Professor/Senior Leader): ₦600,000 – ₦800,000 per month
Top salary (Vice-Chancellor): ₦480,000 – ₦750,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food help, meal money
Other benefits: Car, year-end bonus, money for research, time to study abroad
What you need: PhD in any field, 20+ years as a teacher, office work background

Vice-Chancellors lead all school and office work. They watch large budgets worth billions of naira. They hire top staff. They plan the school’s future. They lead study projects. They speak for the school to others. Top schools like University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Ahmadu Bello University are well-known. Leading a big teaching school is a big job. This is why schools pay well for top leaders.

7. Director-General (Federal Agency)

Director-General is a top paying federal job in Nigeria for high-level office workers. Federal offices like FIRS, NAFDAC, NIMET, and SON hire Directors-General as the chief leader. They run the office and put government plans into action.

Entry-level salary (Manager): ₦380,000 – ₦520,000 per month
Middle salary (Senior Manager): ₦600,000 – ₦850,000 per month
Top salary (Director-General): ₦450,000 – ₦700,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food help, meal money
Other benefits: Car, year-end bonus, training, conference money
What you need: Master’s degree, 10–15 years in government work, proven office skills

Directors-General run the office. They put government plans into action. They watch over large budgets. They lead many teams. They plan for their area of work. Offices in Abuja and Lagos pay more money. Because they control important areas and handle large funds, Directors-General get good pay.

8. Federal Tax Commissioner (FIRS)

Federal Tax Commissioner is a top paying federal job in Nigeria in money and tax work. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) hires tax commissioners. They manage tax work across the whole country and collect money for the government.

Entry-level salary (Tax Officer): ₦350,000 – ₦500,000 per month
Middle salary (Senior Tax Manager): ₦650,000 – ₦950,000 per month
Top salary (Tax Commissioner): ₦420,000 – ₦650,000 per month
Extra pay: Travel money, housing money, food help, work money
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, extra pay for meeting targets, training, car
What you need: Degree in money work or taxes, 12–15 years in tax or money work

Tax Commissioners watch over tax work. They plan tax collection work. They make tax rules. They lead field workers. They have a big say in government money. FIRS jobs in Lagos and Abuja pay more because of where they are. Government offices that collect money offer good pay to hire top workers.

9. Consultant Specialist (Federal Medical Services)

Consultant Specialist is a top paying federal job in Nigeria for top doctors. Federal health offices hire consultant specialists. These are senior doctors with high-level training in special areas like heart work, brain work, or cancer work.

Entry-level salary (Doctor): ₦380,000 – ₦520,000 per month
Middle salary (Senior Doctor/Trainee): ₦600,000 – ₦800,000 per month
Top salary (Consultant Specialist): ₦400,000 – ₦650,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, food help, doctor benefits
Other benefits: Year-end bonus, money for research, private work money, training
What you need: Doctor’s degree, 10–15 years of doctor training, special area training

Consultant Specialists lead doctor teams. They do hard surgeries. They watch over patient care. They lead medical studies. They train new doctors. They work in federal teaching hospitals and special medical centers. Top specialists in popular fields make more money. Federal medical jobs hire the best doctors in special areas. The hard training needed and important work doctors do means they earn good pay.

10. Federal Engineer (Grade Level 16–17)

Federal Engineer at top levels is a top paying federal job in Nigeria in the building area. Federal engineers at the top levels work at the very top of the building career ladder in Nigeria’s federal work.

Entry-level salary (New Engineer GL 7–9): ₦350,000 – ₦520,000 per month
Middle salary (Senior Engineer GL 12–14): ₦600,000 – ₦850,000 per month
Top salary (Chief Engineer GL 16–17): ₦380,000 – ₦600,000 per month
Extra pay: Housing money, travel money, job skills money, food help
Other benefits: Car, year-end bonus, job training money, learning chances
What you need: Building degree, 20–25 years of step-by-step federal work

Federal engineers work in many offices and departments like Works, Power, Water, and Roads. They watch over big building projects. They lead engineer teams. They watch project money. They give tech advice. Senior engineers in Abuja and Lagos earn more money. Building jobs involve big national projects. The years of work needed and how important building work is means senior engineers make good money.

FAQ: Highest Paying Federal Jobs in Nigeria

What is the highest paying federal job in Nigeria?

Senior Judge jobs pay the most in Nigeria’s federal work. They pay ₦750,000–₦1,200,000 per month. This pay shows how much school lawyers need, how many years of work they need, and how important judges are to the court system. Other top jobs are Federal Permanent Secretary and CBN Deputy Governor.

What’s the difference between federal and state government jobs?

Federal jobs are with the national government and pay more with better benefits. State jobs are with state governments and usually pay less than equal federal jobs.

Do federal workers get pension benefits?

Yes, all federal workers add to the Pension Fund Managers (PFAs) or the Defined Benefit Pension System (DBPS). This gives you money when you stop working after many years of service, usually after 35 years or at age 60.

Can federal workers do private work?

Some federal workers, like doctors, lawyers, and advisors, can do private work during off hours. But this is limited for some jobs and needs boss approval in writing.

What is the stop work age for federal workers?

Federal workers stop work at age 60 or after 35 years of work, whichever comes first. Some top jobs like judges have different stop work rules.

How do I apply for top federal jobs in Nigeria?

Applications change by office. Look at official government sites, federal work portals, or specific office hire sites. Big chances announce through the Federal Civil Service Board (FCSC) and office sites.

Can I move up in federal work?

Yes, federal work has clear paths to move up. Hire moves happen often based on merit. Tests decide how fast you move up. Top workers can move up to top jobs in 10–15 years.

Conclusion: Your Path to Top Federal Work

The highest paying federal jobs in Nigeria 2025 give more than good pay. They give job safety, great benefits, and chances to serve the country. Whether you want judge work, doctor work, money work, or office work, federal work offers great jobs with top pay.

Getting these top jobs takes hard work in school, many years of work, and smart career plans. The pay figures here are for 2025 and may change based on where you work, your experience, and your own facts.

Your next step: Pick the field you like best. Choose between law, doctor work, money work, or office work. Start building the skills you need. Get the right degrees. Get experience. Build work friends. Success in federal work comes to those who plan ahead.

What federal job do you want? Tell us in the notes below. Or look at more posts about civil service tests, government job help tips, and federal jobs in special fields. Your dream federal job in Nigeria could be close!

Top 10 Best Universities in Nigeria – Learn about the best universities where you can study for federal jobs.
Top 20 Professional Courses in Nigeria – Find the right course to help you get into federal service.
Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) – Official guide to applying for federal government jobs in Nigeria.