In the intricate tapestry of Nigeria’s healthcare system, medical doctors stand as sentinels of health and healing.
Their unwavering commitment to improving lives often leads us to wonder about the financial aspects of their noble profession.
At the heart of this curiosity lies the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) – the framework that outlines the remuneration system for medical practitioners in the country.
In this blog post, we will be unveiling the medical doctor salary in Nigeria, meticulously following the CONMESS guidelines.
Against the backdrop of a complex socio-economic landscape, we will delve into the factors that influence the compensation of these medical professionals. From years of experience to specialist designations, we’ll decipher how each element contributes to the overall earnings of doctors.
Beyond the numbers, we’ll also explore the broader implications of the CONMESS system on the healthcare ecosystem, shedding light on the delicate balance between service, skill, and just reward.
So, join us in this formal exploration, as we decipher the realm of medical doctor salaries within the framework of Nigeria’s CONMESS, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between medical practice and financial recognition.”
What is the CONMESS Salary Structure?
The Consolidated Medical Salary Structure is based on the negotiation between the Nigerian Federal Government and Organized Labour that led to the enactment of the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2019 to reflect the national minimum wage.
The CONMESS Salary Scale reflects the average annual salaries of doctors at different levels in Nigeria.
Overview of the CONMESS Salary Structure
| CONMESS LEVELS | YEARLY SALARY RANGE IN NIGERIAN NAIRA |
| CONMESS 1 | NGN 1,667,601/YEAR |
| CONMESS 2 | NGN 1,812,600 TO NGN 2,257,237 |
| CONMESS 3 | NGN 2,584,048 TO NGN 3,165,180 |
| CONMESS 4 | NGN 3,323,971 TO NGN 4,201,314 |
| CONMESS 5 | NGN 4,002,413 TO NGN 4,956,435 |
| CONMESS 6 | NGN 5,306,547 TO NGN 6,524,937 |
| CONMESS 7 | NGN 7,016,768 TO NGN 8,517,892 |
Factors that Influence Medical Doctor Salary in Nigeria
The CONMESS salary structure is made up of basic pay and allowances that depend on the level of specialization. These allowances include:
I. Specialist allowance
This is the allowance given to medical and surgical specialists/consultants. It is typically between N1,093,068 – N2,031,923 annually.
II. Health Professional Non-Clinical Duty Allowance
Some doctors may find themselves working outside the hospitals but in other healthcare institutions like the NDLEA, NAFDAC, and NCDC. etc. They receive an allowance for the services they provide in such institutions. The allowances range from N541,080 – N1,464,000 annually.
III. Clinical Duty Allowance
This is paid to specialists and medical consultants who work in teaching hospitals. Such doctors are paid for the time they spend attending to real patients outside the classroom/teaching setting. The amount depends largely on the clinical roles you perform.
IV. Hazard Allowance
The healthcare job exposes health workers to multiple health hazards. So to compensate doctors for this, they are paid a yearly hazard allowance which is currently at NGN27,000 monthly.
Average Monthly Salary of Doctors in Different Cadres
Medical House Officers
The monthly salary of a medical house officer in a Federal institution in Nigeria is NGN214,000. You may find lower and higher pay among doctors working in private and state institutions. But usually, this is between N180,000 and 230,0000
NYSC Medical Officers
The basic pay for all NYSC members by the Nigerian government is currently at N33,000. However, doctors may receive additional allowances depending on the state and other private institutions they may be working for.
In total, these allowances could add up to N50,000 to N120,000 monthly in addition to the basic allowance from the federal government.
Post NYSC Medical Officers
Post-NYSC medical officers earn between N250,000 to N400,000 depending on their skill level and the type of institution.
Some may find themselves working in the military, or oil companies where their pay may rise up to N500,000 to N1,000,000 monthly and upwards.
Resident Doctors Salary
After your NYSC in Nigeria, you can decide to pursue a specialist program in a specialty of your choice. As a resident doctor, you rejoin the CONMESS salary scale and are paid between N300,000 to N500,000 monthly depending on your level in the program.
Medical Consultants Salary in Nigeria
The average salary of medical consultants in Federal institutions is between N800,000 to N1,000,000. This could be significantly higher in private institutions. Some consultants in Nigeria bag up to N5,000,000 monthly and more from private practice alone.
As you can see, the medical career is not as lucrative in Nigeria as it appears, but when compared to other federal government jobs, it is one of the highest-paid careers.
The juicy part of being a medical doctor in Nigeria is when you can work independently in your own private establishment as a medical consultant and specialist. In this place.
In this state, there is no limit to how much you can actually earn. It all depends on your level of industriousness and skillset.
Also, read; Medical doctor salary by specialty in the US
