10 Highest Paying Medical & Healthcare Jobs In Nigeria 2024

Top 10 Highest Paying Medical Jobs & Healthcare Careers in Nigeria

1. Heart Surgeon

Heart Surgeons, also known as Cardiothoracic Surgeons, are surgical experts that specialize in the chest organs, especially the heart. They are skilled in various heart procedures such as heart bypass and angioplasty among others. They perform both scheduled and emergency operations depending on the needs. They also perform pre and post-operation patient care.

In Nigeria, they earn a yearly average salary of NGN 1,410,000.

2. Orthopedic Surgeon

Orthopedic Surgeons are experts in the musculoskeletal system. They examine, diagnose, and perform surgery on bones and related organs. They are commonly known to help treat injuries such as broken bones, dislocated joints, and ligament injuries. They also work with rehabilitation therapists to help patients to recover from injuries and improve their quality of life after surgery.

They earn a yearly average income of NGN 17,519,700.

3. Neurosurgeon

Neurosurgeons specialize in brain and nervous system conditions. They diagnose, treat, and operate on brain-related conditions. They also deal with the peripheral nervous system and related organs. They specialize in the mechanical side of the brain, unlike Psychiatrists. Because of the nature of their job, they are one of the highest earning medical professionals in the world.

In Nigeria, they earn an average of NGN 6,104,189 per year.

4. Podiatrist

Podiatrists provide medical attention to diseases and conditions of the lower limbs. They treat various injuries relating to the foot, legs, ankles, and knees. They also help treat and correct common conditions such as bunions, hammer toe, and flat-footedness. They also help with rehabilitation and recovery after procedures for your legs and foot.

They earn around NGN 803,000 yearly on average.

5. Urologist

These medical professionals are concerned with the urinary system and its functions. They assess, diagnose, and treat diseases surrounding the bladder and urinary tracts. They are also the experts in male reproductive health the way OB Gynes are experts on women's. They treat illnesses of the prostate and other major and minor male reproductive health issues.

They earn up to NGN 9,630,000 on average salary yearly.

6. Plastic Surgeon

These healthcare professionals are experts in reconstructive surgeries. They are well known, especially in the beautification and cosmetics industry. But aside from their skill in aesthetic procedures, they also perform other procedures as well. They repair or reconstruct facial and other physical features that were damaged due to disease or injury.

Yearly, they can earn an average of NGN 16,500,000 in Nigeria.

7. Vascular Surgeon

Vascular Surgeons specialize in the human circulatory systems and their associated diseases. They perform operations on blood vessels and arteries throughout the body. They perform crucial reconstruction procedures when these blood vessels are damaged due to injury or disease. Although they do not operate on the heart, they do operate on the aorta.

They can earn an average yearly salary of NGN 11,700,000.

8. Pharmacist

Pharmacists are primary healthcare providers that deal with the dispensing and handling of medicine. They receive and fill prescriptions as well as help guide patients in the proper taking of medicine. They also help assess a patient's drug needs and coordinate with physicians to make a well-suited course of medication. They are also responsible for enforcing controlled drug laws by disallowing dispensing without proper prescriptions.

They earn an average of  1,032,077 yearly in Nigeria.

9. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists are an integral part of any major surgery. They are tasked with assessing the patient for any potential adverse reactions to anesthesia. During the surgery, they deliver and monitor anesthesia to the patient as well as monitor any reactions that may arise. They make sure that any minute yet potentially life-threatening reactions are spotted and quickly addressed.

They can earn a median salary of NGN 14,400,000 yearly.

10. Chief of Surgery

While the Chiefs of Surgery are still surgeons in their own right, their main job now is to manage subordinates. They oversee their respective surgical departments and manage the surgeons and other personnel. They are also responsible for some administrative tasks as well as teaching in some capacity.

Their position and job responsibilities net them an average of NGN 16,700,000.

Looking to expand your skillset and get a high-paying career in Medicine and Healthcare?

To be successful in medicine, continuous upskilling, and study are important. As you go up the ladder, you are given more managerial and administrative responsibilities. This can be overwhelming especially without prior experience.

Download the free report now and discover how you can reach new heights in your career.

Want to take your career even further? Getting an online BBA or online MBA can definitely help you reach your career goals, providing you with the soft skills and hard skills that will best secure that job or promotional opportunity.

You'll be able to study from home, since it's 100% online, and is US-accredited by the DEAC.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on medical jobs in Nigeria:

Types Of Medical Specialties In Nigeria 

While all fields of medicine are practiced in Nigeria, here are some of the most popular fields in the country.

General Surgery

General Surgeons are skilled in surgical procedures. They can perform surgeries that do not require specialized surgery techniques. They are also a regular part of a surgical team and work with other medical professionals in the operating room. General Surgeons operate on common conditions such as hernias, appendectomies, and other abdominal issues.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Also known as OB/GYN, Obstetrics and Gynecology deal with the reproductive health of women. Technically, these two are separate yet related fields. But they are intimately linked in that they are sometimes treated as one specialty often sharing a department. They are the primary health personnel that deals with women's health. They are the lead healthcare provider that deals with pregnancy and childbirth.

Neurology

Neurology is the study of the brain and its functions from a medical perspective. It comprises research and study into neurological conditions and illnesses and their treatments. They also deal with diagnosing, testing, and treating neurological diseases. Because of the highly technical nature of the field, Neurologists are some of the highest paying jobs in Nigeria.

Public Health

The health and safety of a nation do not only happen in medical facilities. The health of the citizenry starts in their homes and communities. Public Health is a branch of medicine that deals with this. It is the study of promoting the health of individuals and communities, preventing diseases, and improving hygiene through public campaigns. Sociology and Social Work are the two main factors of Public Health programs. 

Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians are medical experts that deal with the health and safety of animals. In an agricultural setting, they are key healthcare providers for livestock and working animals in general. They are primary professionals that help the spread of deadly livestock diseases such as Avian Flu, Rabies, and Bovine FMD among others. They are essential in keeping the agricultural industry in tip top shape.

How To Get Into A High Paying Medical Jobs In Nigeria

There are two major things that you need to have to get in a high paying medical career in Nigeria: skills and network

In medicine, there is little room for error. the stakes are high and so is the demand for skill aptitude. That is why the medical field has some of the most stringent qualifications and credential requirements. Medical professionals need at least a degree and license to practice in order to get into the industry. No wonder medicine has some of the high income skills in Nigeria.

Second, you need to be an effective networker. You need to be able to find other people within the field and be good at connecting with them opportunities are every where if you know where to look and who to ask.

Where Can Medical Specialists Work In Nigeria

Public Hospitals

Public Hospitals are health institutions run and funded by the government to benefit the public. they are fully supported by the taxes paid by the citizens. They offer medical care to the general public for a fee or a nominally small cost. They diagnose and treat both in and outpatients and are the primary facility for medicine and surgery.

Private Hospitals

Private Hospitals, on the other hand, are hospitals funded by private individuals or organizations. They offer similar services as their public counterparts. They are owned and controlled by private entities usually corporate organizations. Unlike, public hospitals, most of these institutions are for-profit businesses. 

Clinics

Clinics are healthcare facilities that cater to a smaller scope. Unlike hospitals, the services offered in clinics are limited in scope and scale. For example, clinics usually do not perform inpatient care and major surgeries, unlike Hospitals. Clinics are great for small preventative outpatient care. They also provide other minor and routine procedures as well. Some even specialize in specific services like maternity care and diagnostic services.

Private Sector

Other medical professionals also find suitable employment in the private sector outside of hospitals and clinics. The most common careers are company doctors and nurses. Others also work as safety officers and on-call medical officers for factories and plants. They also work as health and safety inspectors provided they pass the required qualifications and certifications.

Why Is It Beneficial For Medical Specialists To Gain An BBA/MBA Degree

Access to more career options

Having a BBA or MBA in the medical field can absolutely open doors of opportunity for you. Careers like Healthcare Management and Health Services Management are great paths to pursue too. They apply good business principles and practices in shaping healthcare policies. A BBA or MBA will give you the acumen to effectively translate your medical knowledge into actionable policies and programs.

Easier transition to higher management roles

A bachelor's or master's degree in Business Administration can teach you useful soft skills that will help you in higher positions. As a medical professional, climbing up the ranks means taking on the responsibility to lead and manage subordinates. A BBA will help you gain the necessary management and leadership skills to help you effectively lead people in your team. 

Preparation for private practice

Taking up private practice is a whole other can of worms. Aside from attending to patients' needs, you have to run the business side of the clinic. This can be tough, especially without prior training or experience. Getting a BBA or an MBA can teach you the necessary soft and technical skills to effectively run your private practice. Having a business degree can help make your business more lucrative.

Conclusion

As in many fields out in the market today, career progression often makes you take management roles in organizations. Often a promotion means you get to handle, supervise, and mentor subordinates on top of your other responsibilities. In a private practice setting, you are sometimes expected to be able to handle both the medical and the business side of things. Having a degree in Business Administration can equip you with the necessary skills to do just that.  Fortunately, despite a healthcare professional's busy schedule, there are ways to earn a degree conveniently. An Online BBA Program is a great option for learners. You get to study at your own pace right from the comfort of your own home. An Online MBA Program is another great program if you want to further hone your skills. With these, you learn useful real-world skills and increase your potential for earning more.

Looking to Pursue A Career in Medicine & Healthcare?

Unlock your career potential today. Discover how you can acquire the most in-demand skills and open the doors to a successful medical and healthcare career with our free report.

Download the free report now and discover how you can reach new heights in your career.