How much does a Nigerian Navy officer earn each month? The Nigerian Navy Salary Structure 2026 shows monthly pay across ranks, from Ordinary Seaman and Midshipman to Admiral, alongside applicable allowances.
President Bola Tinubu has approved an Armed Forces salary increase of up to 80 per cent, with the new rates taking effect on 1 September 2026. The increase applies to the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.
The figures below show the Nigerian Navy salary by rank, the Navy hierarchy, the September 2026 pay increase and the Nigerian Navy allowances available to personnel.
Nigerian Navy Salary Structure 2026
A salary table attributed to the Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS) lists monthly pay for Nigerian Navy ranks.
| Nigerian Navy Rank | Published Monthly Salary |
| Trainee | ₦10,237 |
| Ordinary Seaman | ₦49,413–₦53,893 |
| Able Seaman | ₦50,327–₦55,833 |
| Leading Seaman | ₦51,980–₦58,634 |
| Petty Officer | ₦56,443–₦69,262 |
| Warrant Officer | ₦69,648–₦87,120 |
| Master Warrant Officer | ₦148,584–₦165,697 |
| Navy Warrant Officer | ₦159,060–₦171,793 |
| Midshipman | ₦173,156–₦187,159 |
| Sub-Lieutenant | ₦187,993–₦218,400 |
| Lieutenant | ₦200,336–₦232,485 |
| Lieutenant Commander | ₦213,246–₦248,004 |
| Commander | ₦282,574–₦324,586 |
| Captain | ₦310,555–₦352,632 |
| Commodore | ₦616,388–₦677,895 |
| Rear Admiral | ₦1,003,245–₦1,376,344 |
| Vice Admiral | ₦1,113,602–₦1,486,451 |
| Admiral | ₦1,358,595–₦1,724,283 |
The figures come from a published CONAFSS document available online.
The government has since approved a new Armed Forces salary package, so the table serves as a salary reference rather than the final September 2026 pay schedule.
Nigerian Navy Salary Increase 2026
The new Armed Forces pay package takes effect on 1 September 2026.
The government divided the increase into three bands:
| Rank Category | Increase |
| Private to Staff Sergeant | 80% |
| Warrant Officer to Colonel | 50% |
| Above Colonel | 30% |
The announcement uses Army rank categories to explain the bands, but the Nigerian Navy falls within the Armed Forces covered by the package.
The State House said the revised salary bill will increase annual personnel costs from ₦660 billion to ₦924 billion.
Nigerian Navy Salary by Rank
The published CONAFSS figures show how pay varies across the naval hierarchy.
Admiral
An Admiral earns ₦1,358,595 to ₦1,724,283 per month under the published CONAFSS table. Other sites give a different 2026 estimate of ₦1.7 million to ₦2.5 million per month.
Vice Admiral
A Vice Admiral receives ₦1,113,602 to ₦1,486,451 per month under the published CONAFSS figures.
Rear Admiral
A Rear Admiral receives ₦1,003,245 to ₦1,376,344 per month.
Commodore
A Commodore receives ₦616,388 to ₦677,895 per month.
Captain
A Captain receives ₦310,555 to ₦352,632 per month.
Commander
A Commander receives ₦282,574 to ₦324,586 per month.
Lieutenant Commander
A Lieutenant Commander receives ₦213,246 to ₦248,004 per month.
Lieutenant
A Lieutenant receives ₦200,336 to ₦232,485 per month.
Sub-Lieutenant
A Sub-Lieutenant receives ₦187,993 to ₦218,400 per month.
Midshipman
A Midshipman receives ₦173,156 to ₦187,159 per month.
The figures above come from the same published CONAFSS table.
Nigerian Navy Ratings Salary
The Navy’s ratings structure covers personnel below the commissioned officer ranks.
The published CONAFSS figures give the following monthly ranges:
| Rank | Monthly Salary |
| Ordinary Seaman | ₦49,413–₦53,893 |
| Able Seaman | ₦50,327–₦55,833 |
| Leading Seaman | ₦51,980–₦58,634 |
| Petty Officer | ₦56,443–₦69,262 |
| Warrant Officer | ₦69,648–₦87,120 |
| Master Warrant Officer | ₦148,584–₦165,697 |
| Navy Warrant Officer | ₦159,060–₦171,793 |
Some sites publish different estimates, including ₦45,854 to ₦58,000 for an Ordinary Rating and ₦120,853 to ₦155,655 for a Warrant Chief Petty Officer.
Nigerian Navy Ranks in Order
The Nigerian Navy divides its rank structure between commissioned officers and ratings.
Commissioned Officers
The commissioned hierarchy runs from Midshipman to Admiral:
- Midshipman
- Acting Sub-Lieutenant
- Sub-Lieutenant
- Lieutenant
- Lieutenant Commander
- Commander
- Captain
- Commodore
- Rear Admiral
- Vice Admiral
- Admiral
Ratings
The ratings hierarchy includes:
- Ordinary Rating
- Able Rating
- Leading Rating
- Petty Officer
- Chief Petty Officer
- Warrant Chief Petty Officer
What Is the Highest Rank in the Nigerian Navy?
Admiral is the highest substantive rank in the Nigerian Navy.
The Navy also recognises Admiral of the Fleet as a five-star rank. Reports also show that Nigeria has never conferred the rank.
Who Is the Chief of the Naval Staff?
Vice Admiral Idi Abbas serves as the Chief of the Naval Staff.
The Nigerian Navy identifies him as the 25th Indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff.
Nigerian Navy Allowances
Navy personnel can receive allowances alongside their basic salary.
Published salary guides identify accommodation, transport and training-related payments among the allowances associated with military service. They also report accommodation-related payments for personnel who do not receive barracks accommodation.
The payment depends on the applicable service conditions and the circumstances of the individual personnel.
Nigerian Navy Training and Entry-Level Pay
The published CONAFSS table lists ₦10,237 for a trainee.
Other salary websites give different trainee estimates, so the figure should remain tied to its source.
The Nigerian Navy recruitment portal states that successful candidates entering through the Basic Training School become Ordinary Seamen after completing basic training.
FAQs
How much is the Nigerian Navy salary per month?
The monthly salary varies by rank. The published CONAFSS table ranges from ₦10,237 for a trainee to ₦1,724,283 for an Admiral at the upper end of the listed ranges.
How much does a Nigerian Navy Admiral earn?
The published CONAFSS table puts an Admiral’s monthly salary at ₦1,358,595 to ₦1,724,283.
How much does a Nigerian Navy Midshipman earn?
The published CONAFSS table lists ₦173,156 to ₦187,159 per month for a Midshipman.
How much does an Ordinary Seaman earn?
The published CONAFSS table lists ₦49,413 to ₦53,893 per month for an Ordinary Seaman.
What is the lowest rank in the Nigerian Navy?
Ordinary Rating is the lowest rating rank commonly listed in the Nigerian Navy structure, while Midshipman begins the commissioned officer hierarchy.
What is the highest rank in the Nigerian Navy?
Admiral is the highest substantive rank in the Nigerian Navy.
When will the new Nigerian Navy salary increase begin?
The new Armed Forces salary increase begins on 1 September 2026.
How much is the 2026 Armed Forces salary increase?
The government approved increases of 80 per cent, 50 per cent and 30 per cent across three rank bands.
Does the increase cover the Nigerian Navy?
Yes. The Nigerian Navy falls under the Armed Forces covered by the approved salary package.
Does the Nigerian Navy pay allowances?
Yes. Personnel can receive allowances in addition to basic salary, with payments depending on the applicable service conditions.
Conclusion
The Nigerian Navy Salary Structure 2026 applies to commissioned officers and ratings, with monthly pay varying across the rank structure. The published salary table lists figures from Trainee and Ordinary Seaman through Midshipman, senior officers and Admiral, while other sources publish different estimates for some ranks.
Nigerian Navy personnel can also receive allowances linked to their duties, accommodation, training and other service conditions. The rank structure runs from Ordinary Rating among the ratings to Admiral as the highest substantive naval rank, with the Chief of the Naval Staff leading the service.
President Bola Tinubu has approved a new Armed Forces salary increase that will apply from 1 September 2026. The increase ranges from 30 per cent to 80 per cent, depending on rank, and covers personnel across the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.
