Nigeria’s oil and gas workforce in 2025: Tracking the pay scale of senior trading analysts

By Tolu Oke

In 2025, Nigeria’s oil and gas sector continues to anchor the country’s foreign exchange earnings, but beneath the billion-dollar trades and export statistics lies a crucial workforce managing the real-time coordination of petroleum sales, documentation, and vessel logistics. Among them, the Senior Trading Analysts (STA) also known as Senior Trading Operations Analysts has emerged as one of the most essential mid-to-senior roles, balancing commercial acumen, compliance, and market intelligence in a high-pressure environment.

A recent compensation survey of over 900 professionals across trading, supply, and operations divisions in Nigeria’s energy sector paints a clear picture of how much these professionals earn. While trading teams handle some of the largest financial transactions in the country, the pay structure remains constrained by cost pressures, fluctuating crude prices, and currency instability.

The Grand Scheme
According to the survey, the median salary for professionals in oil and gas trading roles is around ₦750,000 per month, with most employees earning between ₦500,000 and ₦950,000 monthly.

At the top end, Senior Trading Analysts in major international trading houses or integrated energy companies can earn up to ₦1,100,000 per month (gross), a figure representing the top decile of earners in this field.

Despite this relatively high ceiling, pay growth has been moderate in the past two years due to rising operational costs and tightening profit margins.

Senior Trading Analyst: The Pivot Between Trade and Operations
Senior Trading Analysts occupy a critical position in the oil and gas value chain. They bridge the gap between traders, schedulers, and marine logistics, ensuring that contracts are executed smoothly, cargoes are delivered on time, and revenues are accurately reported.
Median: ₦850,000/month
Range: ₦700,000–₦1,100,000/month
Maximum: ₦1,100,000/month for top performers in multinational firms or crude export operations
“The job demands accuracy and speed,” said a Senior Trading Analyst at a Lagos-based downstream firm. “A single delay or miscommunication can lead to demurrage charges worth thousands of dollars. You have to think fast and act precisely.”

Market Analysts and Commercial Operations Specialists: The Data Drivers
Supporting the trading desk are Market Analysts and Commercial Operations Specialists who monitor global crude prices, analyze supply trends, and provide intelligence on trading opportunities.
Median: ₦600,000/month
Range: ₦450,000–₦800,000/month
Maximum: ₦850,000/month in firms managing multiple international cargoes
These professionals are becoming increasingly vital as global markets move toward data-driven decision-making and digital trading platforms.

Shipping and Logistics Officers: The Execution Backbone

Trading transactions in the oil and gas sector depend heavily on Shipping and Logistics Officers, who manage chartering schedules, cargo loading, and export documentation.
Median: ₦500,000/month
Range: ₦350,000–₦700,000/month
Maximum: ₦750,000/month for officers handling high-volume crude or refined product shipments
A logistics officer in Port Harcourt explained, “We’re the last line before revenue is realized. Every trade has to translate into a successful vessel movement, and that means precision in timing and compliance.”

Risk and Compliance Managers: The Guardians of Integrity

In a sector where regulatory lapses can trigger major penalties, Risk and Compliance Managers ensure every trade meets both national and international standards.
Median: ₦700,000/month
Range: ₦500,000–₦950,000/month
Maximum: ₦1,000,000/month for those overseeing compliance across multiple jurisdictions
These professionals have seen growing demand, particularly as Nigerian energy companies seek to align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and international trade transparency rules.

What the Data Reveals
The survey underscores that while oil and gas trading remains one of Nigeria’s most lucrative career paths outside of executive leadership, wage growth is stabilizing. The ₦1,100,000 cap for Senior Trading Analysts represents both the competitive ceiling and the value placed on experienced professionals capable of managing trade execution risks.

According to energy economist Temi Abiola, “The trading function is a delicate balance of logistics, risk, and finance. The pay reflects the complexity, but many argue that the compensation still trails behind global benchmarks.”

Rising inflation and foreign exchange volatility have further eroded real earnings, prompting some professionals to migrate toward consulting roles or regional trading hubs in Dubai and Singapore.

A Profession in Transition
Despite these challenges, the rise of Senior Trading Analysts marks a new era in Nigeria’s oil and gas commerce, one defined by precision, compliance, and digital transformation. As energy markets embrace automation and data analytics, the role demands sharper analytical skills, familiarity with trading software, and strong stakeholder management.

For now, salaries reaching up to ₦1,100,000 per month signal that the Senior Trading Analyst remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s petroleum export operations, a bridge between technical logistics and commercial execution, keeping the wheels of the energy economy turning in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.