Bolaji Goke Peters
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In 2024, Principal Project Engineer compensation in Nigeria reflected the country’s complex economic environment — rising inflation, naira volatility, and high demand for experienced project delivery professionals in oil & gas, EPC, and infrastructure sectors. Using 351 verified data points collected from salary trackers, job postings, and industry reports across Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, we can map the realistic earnings corridor for professionals at this senior level.
Public Data Baseline – 2024
Publicly reported salaries for Project Engineers in Nigeria in 2024 show significant variation:
- TalentUp reported a median salary of ₦7,930,100 per year for Project Engineers.
- PayScale Nigeria listed the average base salary at ₦1,826,478 per year, with a range from ₦60,000 – ₦6,000,000, depending on experience and sector.
- GrabJobs reported a national average of ₦2,046,732 per year, with senior Project Engineers averaging ₦2,353,752.
These data points represent early- to mid-level engineers and do not capture the pay premium for Principal-level professionals, who lead project governance and oversee multi-discipline teams.
Principal-Level Premium in 2024
Analysis of 351 salary data points confirmed that Principal Project Engineers earned significantly more than their junior counterparts. When broken down by location:
- Lagos (152 data points): Principal Project Engineers clustered between ₦15,000,000 – ₦25,000,000, with EPC and multinational offices pushing some packages above ₦30,000,000.
- Port Harcourt / Warri (129 data points): Engineers reported total packages between ₦20,000,000 – ₦35,000,000, driven by site allowances, offshore per diems, and risk premiums.
- Abuja (70 data points): Principal-level salaries were generally lower, most commonly between ₦12,000,000 – ₦18,000,000, except for internationally funded infrastructure projects, which reached ₦22,000,000+.
This data confirms that 2024 pay scales were highly sensitive to location, sector, and whether the package included rotational or offshore benefits.
Allowances and Bonuses – 2024 Reality
Across all 351 data points, allowances consistently accounted for a significant portion of earnings. Housing stipends, transport allowances, hazard premiums, and milestone bonuses added 30–40% to total annual compensation. In projects with strict shutdown timelines, performance bonuses equivalent to 2–3 months’ salary were common.
2024 Compensation Corridor
The consolidated results from the 351 data points provide the following credible earnings bands:
| Band | Annual Total Compensation (₦) | Context |
| Core Band | ₦12,000,000 – ₦20,000,000 | Principal roles across construction, infrastructure, and general EPC offices. |
| Premium Band | ₦20,000,000 – ₦30,000,000 | Oil & gas EPC projects, shutdown planning, major capital projects. |
| Upper Band | ₦30,000,000 – ₦45,000,000 | Offshore operations, hazardous environments, rotational expatriate assignments. |
These bands represent total annual remuneration, including allowances and bonuses, and capture a national, multi-city view of 2024 earnings.
Key Takeaways from 2024
- Principal-level pay exceeded lower-tier engineer averages by 3× or more, confirming the leadership premium.
- Location effects were pronounced: Lagos set the salary benchmark, Port Harcourt offered higher total packages through site uplifts, and Abuja lagged unless projects were donor-funded.
- Allowances mattered: Housing, transport, and risk premiums materially increased true earning power.
- 2024 set the stage for growth: Employers were already adjusting packages upward to compensate for naira volatility and retain senior talent
