Fresh graduates eyeing the oil and gas sector may be looking at the best-paying trainee programmes in Nigeria.
According to Profolio’s 2026 salary guide, oil companies such as Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil pay graduate trainees between ₦400,000 monthly.
Additionally, the average graduate trainee across all industries earns roughly ₦100,000 to ₦250,000 a month.
This highlights oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria as a benchmark for sector pay.
Estimated monthly pay by company for oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria
| Company | Estimated monthly pay (₦) |
|---|---|
| Shell Nigeria | 500,000 – 800,000+ |
| Chevron Nigeria | 450,000 – 750,000+ |
| TotalEnergies | 400,000 – 700,000 |
| Seplat Energy | 300,000 – 500,000 |
| NNPC | 250,000 – 400,000 |
The oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria varies by company type.
Additionally, by company type, international oil companies are ₦400,000 – ₦800,000+, indigenous ₦250,000 – ₦500,000, and services ₦200,000 – ₦400,000.
How oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria compares with other sectors
Oil and gas is the only sector in the guide where the upper range exceeds ₦800,000. Additionally, Technology is estimated at ₦200,000 – ₦500,000. FMCG is ₦200,000 – ₦400,000, and banking is ₦180,000 – ₦350,000. The oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria is a key benchmark in these comparisons.
Take-home pay exceeds the base salary
These figures are basic salary. Additionally, total compensation is often 20% to 50% higher when allowances and benefits are added.
Housing allowance can run from about ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 monthly. Transport allowance is typically ₦20,000 to ₦80,000.
Many employers also provide health insurance, annual performance bonuses and employer pension contributions. For oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria, total compensation often includes these extras.
What fresh graduates should know
Engineering graduates, especially in petroleum, chemical and mechanical engineering, earn ₦200,000 – ₦600,000 monthly.
Moreover, some programmes run up to 24 months, and most high-paying schemes recruit between September and March.
After confirmation as permanent staff, salaries typically rise by 30% to 50%, affecting oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria.
A word of caution
These are estimates, not salaries published by the companies. Additionally, Profolio compiled them from Glassdoor, MySalaryScale, Jobberman, job adverts, and discussions on LinkedIn and Nairaland. They reflect 2024–2026 market conditions. The oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria varies by company and role. The official careers pages of Shell and Chevron do not confirm the figures. Applicants should ask employers whether a quoted amount is basic pay, gross pay or total compensation. Additionally, they should verify which benefits apply to the specific role.
Source: Profolio – oil and gas graduate trainee salary Nigeria (2026).
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