How much does a general surgeon earn in Nigeria?

General surgeons are highly trained medical doctors who diagnose, treat, and operate on a broad range of surgical conditions affecting organs such as the abdomen, digestive tract, thyroid gland, and more. Beyond performing surgeries, they play a vital role in pre- and post-operative patient care, emergency interventions, surgical ward management, and participation in medical teaching and clinical research.

The average salary for a general surgeon in Nigeria can vary based on the employer, location, and experience. The approximate figures are:

Note: These figures are estimates and can vary. Senior and specialized professionals may earn significantly more.

• Entry-level (0-2 years post-residency): 650000 - 900000
• Mid-level (3-7 years experience): 1000000 - 1400000
• Senior-level (8 years and above, including consultants): 1600000 - 2500000

• Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS or MBChB): Entry point to medical practice in Nigeria; essential for starting any surgical career, but further specialization needed.
• Residency in General Surgery (Postgraduate Training): Mandatory for advancement in surgery. Generally leads to significant salary increases after full registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and passing relevant Part I and II exams with the West African College of Surgeons or National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.
• Fellowship (FWACS, FMCS): Fellowship with the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) or the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCS) signals expertise; opens doors to senior roles with the highest salary bands.

Becoming a general surgeon in Nigeria is a rigorous process involving extensive academic training, clinical experience, and postgraduate specialization.

1. Earn your Senior Secondary School Certificate (WAEC/NECO) with excellent science results.
2. Gain admission to an accredited Nigerian university medical programme and complete an MBBS or MBChB degree (typically 6 years).
3. Complete the one-year compulsory internship (housemanship) at a recognized hospital.
4. Fulfill the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
5. Pass the MDCN licensing examination to be fully registered as a medical practitioner.
6. Enter an accredited residency training programme in general surgery. This usually takes 5-6 years and involves rotations, clinical exams, and research.
7. Successfully obtain Fellowship qualifications from recognized bodies like the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) or National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCS).
8. Register as a consultant/general surgeon with the MDCN and pursue ongoing professional development.

Prospective general surgeons in Nigeria must complete an accredited MBBS or MBChB degree at a university recognized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). After medical school, they must undergo a hospital-based internship and the compulsory NYSC. Entry into a recognized general surgery residency is highly competitive and only available in accredited teaching hospitals, such as Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), University College Hospital Ibadan (UCH), or Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH). Postgraduate training is capped with the award of fellowships from the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) or National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).

The primary professional body regulating general surgeons in Nigeria is the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). For career advancement, board-certified qualifications are crucial, typically the Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) and/or the Fellowship of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (FMCS). Membership in the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and surgical specialty associations—such as the Nigerian Surgical Research Society (NSRS)—is also advantageous.