The oil and gas sector in Nigeria remains one of the most attractive industries in terms of salary and benefits. With Nigeria being a major oil-producing nation, it is no surprise that many local and international oil companies offer highly competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent. Here's a list of the top 10 highest-paying oil and gas companies in Nigeria in 2025 based on average salaries, benefits, and overall employee satisfaction.
1. ExxonMobil Nigeria
ExxonMobil is often ranked as the highest-paying oil company in Nigeria. Entry-level staff can earn up to ₦2.5 million monthly, with senior staff earning significantly more. Benefits include health insurance, housing allowance, transport support, and international training.
2. Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)
Shell is known for its robust compensation structure. Graduate trainees can earn over ₦250,000 monthly, while experienced staff can take home ₦1.5 million to ₦3 million monthly, alongside pension, health benefits, and bonuses.
3. Chevron Nigeria
Chevron pays highly competitive salaries, especially for engineers and technical staff. Entry-level staff earn around ₦10 million per year, excluding allowances and bonuses. Employees also enjoy paid vacations, housing, and health packages.
4. TotalEnergies Nigeria
TotalEnergies provides impressive salaries and benefits to its staff. Entry-level salaries range from ₦250,000 to ₦400,000 monthly, with additional allowances, pension schemes, and medical cover.
5. Seplat Energy
One of Nigeria’s top indigenous oil firms, Seplat offers excellent pay, especially to graduate trainees and engineering staff. Entry-level salaries can be as high as ₦3 million monthly, with attractive allowances.
6. Oando PLC
Oando is another top-paying indigenous oil company. It provides salaries upwards of ₦1 million monthly for experienced workers and also offers health insurance, transport benefits, and attractive bonuses.
7. Addax Petroleum
Addax provides great salaries and is especially known for rewarding its expatriate and senior technical staff generously. Entry-level staff earn decent pay with access to health plans and housing allowances.
8. Agip (NAOC)
Agip, operated under Eni, is a well-respected oil firm offering mid- to high-range salaries for Nigerian professionals. Staff enjoy generous pay, professional training opportunities, and full employee benefits.
9. NLNG (Nigeria LNG Limited)
NLNG is among the best-paying employers in the Nigerian energy sector. Salaries are impressive across the board, with staff receiving allowances for housing, feeding, transportation, and education.
10. NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation)
As Nigeria’s national oil corporation, NNPC offers a stable salary structure with competitive earnings for various levels of staff. Entry-level employees can earn between ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 per month with comprehensive government-backed benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which oil and gas company pays the highest salary in Nigeria in 2025?
A: ExxonMobil is considered the highest-paying oil and gas company in Nigeria, especially for experienced professionals and engineers.
Q2: Do Nigerian oil companies offer better pay than multinational companies?
A: Some indigenous companies like Seplat and Oando offer competitive salaries, but multinationals like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Chevron still lead in overall compensation and benefits.
Q3: What additional benefits do oil and gas workers receive besides salary?
A: Most oil and gas companies offer health insurance, housing allowance, transportation support, performance bonuses, and pension plans.
Q4: Are there opportunities for fresh graduates in these companies?
A: Yes. Many of these firms offer graduate trainee programs with salaries starting from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 monthly, along with training and career development.
Conclusion
The Nigerian oil and gas industry in 2025 continues to be a lucrative sector for job seekers. Whether you're an entry-level graduate or a seasoned professional, companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and Seplat offer not just excellent salaries but also long-term career growth and development. While the competition is stiff, the rewards are truly worth the effort, making the industry a dream for many Nigerian professionals.
