How to Negotiate Your Salary in Nigeria Without Fear

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Learn how to confidently negotiate your salary in Nigeria. Practical tips to get paid what you deserve without fear or hesitation.

Many Nigerian job seekers dread the question: “What are your salary expectations?” Fear of losing the opportunity often leads them to accept whatever is offered—even if it’s far below their worth. But the truth is: salary negotiation is expected and can be done respectfully. In this article, we’ll show you practical ways to negotiate your salary in Nigeria without fear, so you can earn what you truly deserve.

1. Do Your Research First

Before discussing salary, you need to know what the role is worth. Nigerian employers respect candidates who come prepared.

How to do it:

• Use job sites like Jobberman, MyJobMag, and Glassdoor to check average salaries.

• Ask industry professionals or friends about typical pay for the position.

• Consider the company’s size—multinationals often pay more than small businesses.

2. Know Your Value

If you don’t believe in your worth, it will show. Employers want candidates who are confident about their skills.

Action steps:

• Write down your top skills, experiences, and achievements.

• Highlight how your work has created results in past roles (e.g., “increased sales by 20%” or “reduced processing time by 30%”).

3. Wait for the Right Time

Don’t bring up salary too early. Let the employer raise the topic after they’ve seen your value.

Best practice:

• Wait until after you’ve received the job offer or when the recruiter asks about expectations.

4. Practice Your Negotiation Lines

Confidence grows with practice. Prepare polite but firm responses.

Examples you can use:

• “Based on my research and experience, I believe a fair range would be ₦250,000–₦300,000 monthly.”

• “Considering the responsibilities of this role, I was expecting a package in the range of ₦200,000–₦250,000. Is that within your budget?”

5. Be Flexible—Think Beyond Salary

Sometimes, companies may not meet your exact figure, but they can offer valuable benefits.

Examples of negotiable benefits:

• Health insurance

• Transportation allowance

• Housing or feeding allowance

• Training opportunities

• Hybrid or remote work options

6. Keep Emotions Out of It

Negotiation should be professional, not emotional. Don’t complain about your financial struggles. Instead, focus on your skills and contributions.

7. Be Ready to Walk Away (Politely)

If the offer is far below your expectations and there’s no room for adjustment, it’s okay to decline respectfully.

Example response:

• “Thank you for the offer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t align with my expectations at this time. I hope we can work together in the future.”

8. Practice with a Friend Beforehand

Role-play with a trusted friend or mentor to get comfortable with the conversation. This reduces anxiety and boosts confidence.

Negotiating your salary in Nigeria doesn’t have to be scary. With research, confidence, and the right approach, you can secure better pay without offending your employer. Remember: companies expect negotiation—it shows that you know your worth. The key is to remain polite, professional, and flexible while ensuring you don’t settle for less than the value you bring.