According to the latest data, women currently makeup approximately 44.82 percent of the labor force in Nigeria.
This is a significant increase from the number of women in the labor force in previous years, but there’s still room for improvement. This is particularly true when it comes to the gender pay gap. Nigeria’s is one of the highest in the world.
The good news is that things are starting to look up for women who are searching for work in Nigeria. There are many high-paying jobs available throughout the country, as well as jobs that are rewarding and provide a lot of growth opportunities.
In the past, we’ve covered other topics related to finding work in Nigeria, including this article on the highest paying jobs in Nigeria and this one on the country’s most in-demand jobs. However, this guide is specifically geared toward those wanting to learn about the top careers for women in Nigeria.
What Are the Top 10 High-Paying Careers for Women Working in Nigeria?
When they start searching for careers in Nigeria (whether they’re making a total career change or are rejoining the workforce after a long break), salary is at the top of most women’s minds. The following are 10 of the top high-paying careers for women in Nigeria:
Job Description: Teachers create lesson plans, instruct, and advise students.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is one of the top careers for women in Nigeria, not just when it comes to salary, but also when it comes to job satisfaction.
Average Salary: ₦448,415 per month
Job Description: Investment bankers help bank customers to make smart investment decisions to achieve their financial goals.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: For financially savvy women, this is a high-paying career that provides lots of opportunities for advancement.
Average Salary: ₦450,000 per month
Job Description: Data analysts collect and interpret data for various businesses to help them improve their performance and profitability.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: As businesses continue to open and expand throughout Nigeria, there will be a need for data analysts who can help them perform more effectively.
Average Salary: ₦135,000 per month
Job Description: Pharmacists fill prescriptions and advise customers on matters related to medication usage.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: For women who want to work in healthcare and earn a high salary, working as a pharmacist is a good choice.
Average Salary: ₦135,000 per month
Job Description: Surgeons operate on patients to help them overcome various illnesses and health problems.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is one of the top high-paying careers for women in Nigeria, particularly those who want to work in the medical field.
Average Salary: ₦550,000 per month
Job Description: Physicians see patients in hospitals and clinics to diagnose them and create treatment plans.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: A career as a physician is a high-paying and rewarding option for women in Nigeria who want to break into a mostly male-dominated field.
Average Salary: ₦796,000 per month
Job Description: CEOs head companies (their own or someone else’s) and make decisions on behalf of all other employees.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: If you’re looking for Nigeria careers for women with high salary, working toward a career as a CEO is practically guaranteed to be a great choice.
Average Salary: ₦729,000 per month
Job Description: Lawyers advise and represent clients in court.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: There is a strong demand for lawyers in Nigeria, and women are working in this particular industry (and earning high salaries) more often than ever before.
Average Salary: ₦150,000 per month
Job Description: Digital marketing specialists work with businesses to help them improve their online presence and attract more customers/clients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: For women who are interested in marketing and want to help bring businesses into the modern era, a career as a digital marketing specialist provides lots of opportunities, as well as a high salary.
Average Salary: ₦250,000 per month
Job Description: Web developers write code and design/develop websites for individuals and businesses of all kinds.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is another example of Nigeria careers for women with high salary, and it provides lots of room for advancement since the tech sector is growing.
Average Salary: ₦300,000 per month
What Are the Top 10 High-Growth Careers for Women in Nigeria?
Growth potential is just as important (if not more important than) as salary when it comes to searching for a job. High-growth jobs provide lots of job opportunities, as well as room for advancement.
Listed below are 10 high-growth careers for women in Nigeria:
Job Description: Nurses work alongside physicians and surgeons to help them care for patients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is one of the best careers for women in Nigeria, and the demand for skilled nurses is particularly high right now.
Average Salary: ₦265,000 per month
Job Description: Physiotherapists work with patients to support them as they recover from surgeries, injuries, and accidents.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: There’s a lot of need for physiotherapists in Nigeria right now, so there is plenty of opportunity for women looking for work here.
Average Salary: ₦591,000 per month
Job Description: Digital marketing specialists work with businesses to help them improve their online presence and attract more customers/clients.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Digital marketing specialists are in demand now more than ever before, especially as businesses work to expand their online presence.
Average Salary: ₦250,000 per month
Job Description: Entertainers sing, dance, act, and perform other talents to keep others entertained and engaged.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Nigeria has one of the biggest entertainment industries in Africa, so a career as an entertainer is more viable here than it is in other parts of the continent.
Average Salary: ₦380,000 per month
Job Description: Communications specialists are in charge of public relations and other issues that help a company put its best foot forward.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is one of the best careers for women in Nigeria, particularly those who love the challenge of making sure a company is always painted in the best light.
Average Salary: ₦209,000 per month
Job Description: Accountants assist individuals and businesses with their money matters and help them make the best decisions.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is a fascinating career option for women who are interested in finance, and demand is increasing throughout the country.
Average Salary: ₦313,000 per month
Job Description: Software engineers oversee various aspects of the software development process.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: As the tech sector continues to grow, so will the demand for software engineers, so this is a very good career option for women to consider.
Average Salary: ₦250,000 per month
Job Description: Project managers work with teams to ensure projects get completed accurately, on time, and on budget.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Women are joining the business world more frequently than ever, and there are lots of opportunities for project managers to help companies carry out projects effectively and efficiently.
Average Salary: ₦250,000 per month
Job Description: Human resources managers work with businesses to hire, onboard, and manage employees.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Many businesses in Nigeria need help managing personnel, and women have lots of opportunities to fill these positions.
Average Salary: ₦504,000 per month
Job Description: Bankers work with bank patrons to help them with deposits, withdrawals, loan applications, and more.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is another one of the best jobs for women in Nigeria, as there are lots of positions available throughout the country’s banks.
Average Salary: ₦368,000 per month
What Are the Top 10 Most Rewarding Careers for Women Working in Nigeria?
Not only do women in Nigeria want (and deserve) careers that pay well and offer room for growth, but they’re also looking for rewarding careers. They want to know that they’re making a difference in the world and having a positive impact on other people’s lives.
Listed below are 10 of the most rewarding careers for women working in Nigeria to consider:
Job Description: Recruiting managers work with businesses to help them hire the right people for the right jobs.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is one of the top jobs for women in Nigeria who want to enjoy the satisfaction of helping businesses choose the best employees.
Average Salary: ₦355,000 per month
Job Description: Dentists work with patients to care for their teeth and gums.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: A career as a dentist is highly rewarding, especially for women who want to help patients improve their health and wellness.
Average Salary: ₦825,000 per month
Job Description: Dental hygienists work alongside dentists to care for patients’ teeth and gums.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is another rewarding career for women in Nigeria that doesn’t require as much schooling as a career as a dentist.
Average Salary: ₦201,000 per month
Job Description: Marketing managers oversee marketing campaigns for various businesses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is an exciting and rewarding career for women who are passionate about marketing and business.
Average Salary: ₦604,000 per month
Job Description: Marketing assistants work alongside marketing managers to help them plan and carry out various campaigns.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Many women love the challenge of running complex marketing campaigns and find this career highly fulfilling.
Average Salary: ₦165,000 per month
Job Description: Brand managers work with marketing teams to ensure businesses are putting out the correct message to the world.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: A career as a brand manager comes with a lot of responsibility, but it’s also very fulfilling and pays well.
Average Salary: ₦564,000 per month
Job Description: Data scientists collect and analyze data on behalf of various businesses.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: For women who are passionate about science, mathematics, and business, a career as a data scientist pays well and helps them experience all of these fields at once.
Average Salary: ₦517,000 per month
Job Description: Financial consultants work with businesses to help them assess their finances and make plans for the future.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is a lucrative career that provides women with the opportunity to help businesses succeed now and in the future.
Average Salary: ₦339,000 per month
Job Description: Executive chefs lead and manage the kitchens of various restaurants.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: Women often find working in the restaurant business to be fulfilling and, while there aren’t many female executive chefs in Nigeria right now, more opportunities will become available in the future.
Average Salary: ₦237,000 per month
Job Description: Law clerks work alongside lawyers to review documents, prepare for cases, and draft memoranda.
Why Is It a Top Career for Women in Nigeria: This is another one of the top jobs for women in Nigeria, particularly for those who have an interest in the law and want to learn more.
Average Salary: ₦149,000 per month
How to Get Started in One of the Top Careers for Women in Nigeria?
Now that you have a better idea of what careers are considered the highest-paying, highest-growth, and most rewarding for women in Nigeria, do you have a better idea of which direction you want to take your career?
If so, follow these steps so you can feel more confident when applying and boost your chances of getting hired.
Sharpen Your Skills
The more skills you have to offer, the more valuable you will be to potential employers. You’ll also have more room for negotiations when it comes to asking for a higher salary.
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken any training courses, consider signing up for one (or more) before you begin formally applying for jobs.
Improve Your Resume/CV
Once you’ve taken some additional courses and sharpened your skills, your next job is to improve your resume or CV.
Update the information provided and highlight what you have to offer a potential employer. This will help you to paint yourself in the best light and make yourself more appealing to hiring managers and recruiters.
Use the Right Job Search Tools
You can increase your chances of landing a great job in Nigeria if you use the right job search tool.
Options like the GrabJobs search tool make it easy for you to narrow down your search based on a variety of criteria, including desired salary ranges. This will save you time and prevent you from applying for jobs that won’t give you what you want and need.
Get a Work Permit if Needed
If you’re not native to Nigeria and are looking for work, you’ll need an EPA (Expatriate Quota Approval), which comes from the Minister of Interior and permits Nigerian companies to employ foreigners. The company that is looking to hire you will have to seek out this permit on your behalf.
Final Thoughts on the Top Careers for Women in Nigeria
Now that you know more about the top careers for women in Nigeria, it’s time to start searching for the job that’s the best fit for you.
The information in this guide will help you to find the best jobs for women in Nigeria and increase your chances of getting hired.
For more help finding work in this country, you can also check out the GrabJobs search tool today. It’ll help you narrow down your search in no time.
