The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) plays a an important role in the country’s internal and border security, overseeing the regulation of migration, issuance of travel documents, and ensuring the safety of Nigeria’s borders. Like other paramilitary organizations, the NIS operates with the same structure of ranks, with salaries and benefits which is structured according to qualifications, years of service, and position. In this article, we will explain the full structure of the Nigeria Immigration Service ranks, their salary scales, associated allowances, and how educational qualifications influence entry ranks and salaries just like we did when we wrote about the Nigerian Police ranks and salaries.
Entry Ranks and Salary by Qualifications
The rank you are given upon joining the Nigeria Immigration Service depends on your academic qualification. Below is an overview of how new recruits are placed and what they earn approximately.
Please note that we said approximately which means there may be a little changes to the actual salary but not much, this may be because of the years of service of the officer.
- SSCE Certificate Holders (O’Level – WAEC/NECO):
- Entry Rank: Immigration Assistant III (IA III)
- Level: Grade Level 3
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦85,000 – ₦95,000
- These officers form the base of the service and are involved in basic immigration tasks under supervision.
- NCE/ND Holders (National Certificate in Education/National Diploma):
- Entry Rank: Assistant Inspector of Immigration (AII)
- Level: Grade Level 6
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦105,000 – ₦115,000
- These personnel are typically given more responsibilities, such as document verification, inspection tasks, and light supervisory roles.
- HND Holders (Higher National Diploma):
- Entry Rank: Inspector of Immigration II or Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II)
- Level: Grade Level 7 or 8
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦125,000 – ₦135,000
- Officers in this category are given mid-level responsibilities and may oversee junior officers.
- BSc/BA Degree Holders:
- Entry Rank: Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II)
- Level: Grade Level 8
- Estimated Monthly Salary: ₦135,000 – ₦145,000
- Graduate officers are trained as professionals and placed on a fast-track route for higher ranks. They typically begin in command or administrative positions.
Nigeria Immigration Salary Structure by Ranks
The NIS salary is guided by the Consolidated Paramilitary Salary Structure (CONPASS). Below is the general breakdown of the Nigeria Immigration ranks and their estimated salary ranges per month:
- Comptroller General of Immigration – ₦1.5 million – ₦2 million
- Deputy Comptroller General – ₦1.2 million – ₦1.6 million
- Assistant Comptroller General – ₦900,000 – ₦1.3 million
- Comptroller of Immigration – ₦890,000 – ₦1 million
- Deputy Comptroller – ₦760,000 – ₦850,000
- Assistant Comptroller – ₦690,000 – ₦750,000
- Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI) – ₦240,000 – ₦290,000
- Superintendent of Immigration (SI) – ₦220,000 – ₦260,000
- Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) – ₦200,000 – ₦240,000
- Assistant Superintendent of Immigration I (ASI I) – ₦175,000 – ₦190,000
- Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II (ASI II) – ₦135,000 – ₦145,000
- Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII) – ₦125,000 – ₦135,000
- Inspector of Immigration II (II II) – ₦115,000 – ₦125,000
- Assistant Inspector of Immigration (AII) – ₦105,000 – ₦115,000
- Immigration Assistant I (IA I) – ₦95,000 – ₦105,000
- Immigration Assistant II (IA II) – ₦90,000 – ₦100,000
- Immigration Assistant III (IA III) – ₦85,000 – ₦95,000
Note: These figures are approximate and may vary slightly based on government adjustments, years of service, location, and specific duties.
Allowances in the Nigeria Immigration Service
Apart from basic salaries, officers in the NIS are entitled to various allowances.
Some of the common allowances include:
- Rent Allowance – Depending on the rank, location, and family status, officers may receive monthly housing support.
- Uniform Allowance – For the purchase and maintenance of uniforms.
- Hazard Allowance – Given due to the risk involved in immigration duties, especially those posted at borders.
- Travel Allowance – For officers on official duty or transfers.
- Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) – For officers who go on assignments outside their official location.
- Transport Allowance – Often added to salaries or paid separately.
- Medical Allowance – Covers healthcare costs for officers and sometimes their dependents.
There is one other allowance which we are going to discuss separately apart from the ones listed above. It is known as the Nigeria Immigration Service training allowance.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) provides a structured training allowance to recruits undergoing their initial training. This allowance varies based on the recruit’s educational qualifications and is intended to support them during the training period.
Nigeria Immigration Service Training Allowance
- Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) Holders: Recruits with SSCE qualifications typically receive a monthly training allowance ranging from ₦20,000 to ₦35,000.
- National Diploma (ND) or National Certificate in Education (NCE) Holders: Those with ND or NCE qualifications may receive allowances within the same range, though specific figures can vary based on the training program and other factors.
- Higher National Diploma (HND) or Bachelor’s Degree Holders: Recruits possessing HND or Bachelor’s degrees are often placed on higher ranks upon completion of training, which may reflect in slightly higher training allowances. However, exact figures during training are not consistently specified across sources.
Additional Benefits During Nigeria Immigration Training
Apart from the monetary allowance, NIS trainees are provided with several kind of benefits to support their well-being and training effectiveness: below are some of those benefits.
- Accommodation and Feeding: Trainees are housed and fed at the training facilities, ensuring they can focus on their training without additional living expenses.
- Medical Care: Access to medical services is provided to address any health issues that may arise during the training period.
- Transportation: When necessary, transportation is arranged for trainees, especially if training activities occur at multiple locations.
- Recreational Activities: To promote physical fitness and morale, trainees may participate in organized sports and other recreational events.
Joining the Nigeria Immigration Service is a promising career path, especially for those passionate about national security and migration control. The rank and salary one starts with depend on the qualification presented during recruitment. While SSCE holders start at the lower levels with nice salaries, graduates and HND holders are placed higher and receive better salaries.
Also, with regular promotions, professional development, and benefits, officers can rise through the ranks and enjoy a stable and respectable career. It’s also worth noting that the Nigerian government occasionally reviews salary structures to reflect economic realities and improve employee welfare, making it a rewarding long-term pursuit.
