Find out the high paying tech jobs in Nigeria and how to increase your salary in tech.
By Ogugua Belonwu
16 October, 2023
Technology has become one of the fastest-growing career fields in the world today, with no exception in Nigeria. It has also become one of the career fields that pay its professionals well. With the different fields available in technology, there is no doubt as to why a lot of professionals are constantly pursuing a career in tech.
If you are a young professional in Nigeria looking to go into tech, then you will find this article helpful. We have listed the highest-paying tech jobs in Nigeria, with and without coding. You also do not need to look too far to find where to get high-paying tech jobs. This article will give you these answers and help you decide which tech career field best suits you.
Some tech careers require you to code, while some do not. So, you will find here the highest-paying tech jobs that may require or do not require coding.
An IT manager is usually the lead for the IT department of an organization. He ensures that the hardware and software of a business are functioning properly by properly installing and maintaining them. In Nigeria, an IT Manager earns about 500k naira monthly. Skills required to be an IT Manager are:
Software development
Database, hardware, network and IT management
Coding
Operating systems
IT security
Apply for IT Manager jobs here and land your next role.
A DevOps engineer is an IT professional who introduces processes, tools, and methodologies to balance needs throughout the software development life cycle, from coding and deployment to maintenance and updates. A DevOps engineer earns about 525k naira monthly in Nigeria. Skills needed for a DevOps engineer are:
Linux and Scripting skills
Knowledge of AWS, GPC and Microsoft Azure.
Node.js and programming languages like Java, Javascript, Ruby, Shell, Bash and PHP.
A cloud engineer is an IT professional who builds and maintains cloud infrastructure. This could include cloud architecting (designing cloud solutions for organizations), development (coding for the cloud), and administration (working with cloud networks). A cloud engineer makes about 415k naira monthly in Nigeria. The skills required as a cloud engineer are:
Linux
Database skills including MySQL and Hadoop
Programming skills like Ruby, Java, and PHP.
Networking and virtualization
DevOps
A front-end developer is responsible for developing the front-end of a website, which is the part that users see and interface with. He is responsible for ensuring that users easily interact with the website and application. According to MySalaryScale, as of 2020, an entry-level front-end developer earns about 115k naira monthly in Nigeria while a mid-level front-end developer earns about 225k naira monthly. Skills needed for a front-end developer are:
HTML and CSS
Javascript
CSS preprocessors
Testing/Debugging
Cross Browser Compatibility
A back-end developer is a tech professional who builds and maintains the mechanisms that process data and perform actions on the websites. They are involved in data storage, security and other server-side functions you cannot see. In Nigeria, a back-end developer earns about
343k naira monthly. Some of the skills needed for a back-end developer are:
Backend programming languages; Java, Python and PHP
Data structure and algorithms
HTML, CSS and Javascript
Version control and version control systems
Knowledge of APIs and popular frameworks
Are you a software developer? Recruiters are looking for you. Apply here.
A full-stack developer is a developer who can build both the front and back ends of a website or application. This means that they can determine both the user’s experience on the website and the server-side functions of a website. Full stack developers earn at least 440k naira monthly in Nigeria. The skills needed for a full-stack developer are:
Database and Web Storage
Git
Javascript
HTML and CSS
HTTP/HTTPS and REST
Back-end and Basic Server Management
A network system administrator plans, sets up, and maintains computer networks for businesses and organizations. They evaluate an organisation’s networking needs and install necessary systems such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments and intranets. They earn about 340k naira monthly in Nigeria. Skills needed for a network system administrator are:
Experience with VPN, LAN and WAN
Linux and Windows servers
Cisco networking equipment
Information security systems
A data scientist is one who uses data to understand and explain the phenomena around them and help organisations make better decisions. They can find patterns and trends in datasets to uncover insights, create algorithms and data models to forecast outcomes and use machine learning techniques to improve the quality of data or product offerings. A data scientist earns about 385k naira monthly in Nigeria. Skills needed for a data scientist are:
Cloud computing
Statistics and probability
Advanced Mathematics
Machine learning
Data visualization tools
Query languages
Database management
Python coding
R Programming
A product manager is the person who identifies the customer need and the larger business objectives that a product or feature will fulfil, articulates what success looks like for a product, and puts together a team to turn that vision into a reality. It is a professional who defines the strategy, roadmap, features, and success of a product. A product manager in Nigeria earns about 470k naira monthly. Some of the skills required for a product manager are:
Knowledge of Economics
Research, data, and analytical expertise
Technical development skills
Basic business skills
A User Interface designer is someone who designs the graphical user interface of an app, website, or device that a human interacts with. They are responsible for creating, designing, and organizing interactive elements, usually in close collaboration with UX Designers who will have mapped out a vision for the project. A UI designer earns an average of 450k naira monthly in Nigeria. Some of the skills needed for a UI designer are:
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Product
Research
Creative
Wireframes
Adobe Suite
A UX designer makes products, services, and technology usable, enjoyable, and accessible for humans. They are responsible for the look and feel of a product, website, or app. Their job focuses on the interaction between real human users and everyday products and services, combining aspects of psychology, business, market research, design, and technology. In Nigeria, a UX designer earns about 405k naira monthly. Some of the skills of a UX designer are:
Visual and UI Design Skills
User Research and Analysis
Information Architecture
Wireframing
Prototyping
A project manager works primarily with information technology (IT) or other technical support teams, leading projects from start to finish. They manage multiple areas simultaneously, with a focus on leading the development of highly technical projects. Project managers in Nigeria earn about 470k naira monthly. Some of the skills needed for a project manager are:
Product management methodologies like Scrum, Waterfall, Agile, and Lean
Project planning
Project scheduling
Project forecasting
Project scoping
Get your next project management role here
A Business analyst helps to guide businesses in improving processes, products, services, and software through data analysis. These agile workers straddle the line between IT and the business to help bridge the gap and improve efficiency. In Nigeria, a business analyst earns about 500k naira monthly. Some of the skills required for a business analyst are:
Modelling
Technology stacks
Programming basics
Software architecture and design
Database management systems
Software testing
Interface design
Business intelligence
Find business analyst jobs you are qualified for and apply!
A data analyst reviews data to identify key insights into a business's customers and ways the data can be used to solve problems. He is responsible for organizing data related to sales numbers, market research, logistics, linguistics, and other behaviours. This data helps organisations make critical business decisions like which products to make, which markets to enter, which investments to make, or which customers to target. Data analysts earn an average of 332k naira monthly in Nigeria. Some of the skills required for a data analyst are:
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Microsoft Excel
Critical Thinking
R or Python-Statistical Programming
Data Visualization
Presentation Skills
Machine Learning
Getting a high-paying tech job is possible if you know the right steps. Here are 3 simple things you can do to get a high-paying tech job.
There are several tech job boards and websites that list great tech opportunities for tech professionals. On these platforms, you can find several high-paying tech jobs in the different fields of tech and then apply for them. Some websites also provide career insights into how you can grow your career in tech.
Some high-paying tech jobs also come by referral and your network. You can leverage your network of professionals, to know when high-paying tech jobs are available and also apply. This can also be easier if the network is already a part of the organization you wish to apply for. With this, they could put in a word or two for you.
Some tech events and job fairs are opportunities for high-profile companies to spot and recruit great talent into their organization. Connecting with people is one way to give yourself a headstart if you choose to explore this route. Make meaningful contributions if you can and network with professionals. Your next job could simply be a conversation away.
Choosing a niche of tech to major in is one way to increase your salary. It will help you know where to focus your energy and explore ways to grow in that field. It will also help you analyze the possibilities in your chosen niche.
Upskilling is one sure way to increase your salary in tech. It is impossible to remain at one skill level while expecting to earn like someone else with a higher skill level. There are lots of certifications and skills you can obtain which will make employers or even your superiors pay you better. These skills and certifications also increase your bargaining power for better pay.
To increase your salary, you can also widen your search net beyond your current organization. You can move jobs to another organization and increase your chances of earning better. With good bargaining power and a great resume, you can send in applications to high-paying tech companies and increase your salary.
Simply asking for an increase in your pay could be a way to actually increase your pay. You can begin the conversation with the quality of the value you have brought to the organization and what it could cost to get someone else to handle your role. With that, you can have a salary increase in no time.
Now you know some of the highest-paying tech jobs in Nigeria and how you can land these roles. It is also important to note that these pay are relative to companies and industries. However, despite the industry you find yourself in, you can significantly increase your salary with the steps listed in the article.
There are several high-paying tech jobs in Nigeria, depending on the tech niche and industry. However, some of the highest-paying tech jobs in Nigeria include:
Information Technology Manager
Front-end Developer
Back-end Developer
Full-stack Developer
Cloud Engineer
Network Systems Administrator
Data Scientist
Product Manager
Project Manager
UI Designer
UX Designer
Business Analyst
Data Analyst
Tech companies in Nigeria pay tech professionals well. However, some of the highest-paying tech companies are Google, Microsoft, Andela, Interswitch, Flutterwave, IBM Nigeria, and Facebook Nigeria.
Based on years of experience, a programmer in Nigeria earns up to 300k naira monthly. However, this is also affected by the industry he is employed in and his years of experience.
In Nigeria, an IT Engineer makes an average of 250k naira monthly.
Software Engineers make as much as 500k naira monthly in Nigeria. Most entry-level software engineers get started with a salary of about 150k naira monthly.
Full stack developers earn at least 440k naira monthly in Nigeria.
Some of the tech roles you can fill without having a degree in those areas are,
Junior data analyst
Digital marketer
Graphics designer
Technical writer
Junior web developer
UI/UX Designer
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