CONMESS Salary Scale Nigeria 2026 — Full Grade Table
Consolidated Medical and Dental Salary Structure
Covers: Medical doctors and dental surgeons in federal government hospitals and agencies. Salaries range from ₦213,708/month to ₦934,934/month.
What is the CONMESS Salary Scale?
CONMESS was established following sustained agitation by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) which argued that CONPSS rates were insufficient to retain medical doctors in Nigeria's public health system. The scale was introduced in the early 2000s and has been revised multiple times. The 2024/2025 revision significantly increased rates across all grades, particularly for House Officers (CONMESS 1) and Medical Officers (CONMESS 2), reflecting the government's attempt to reduce the pace of medical brain drain to the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Who Qualifies for CONMESS?
CONMESS covers all medical doctors (MBBS holders) and dental surgeons (BDS holders) in federal employment — at teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and similar federal health agencies. House Officers (CONMESS 1) are MBBS graduates completing their mandatory 1-year internship. Medical Officers (CONMESS 2) are post-internship doctors. Progression through CONMESS 3–5 represents registrar/senior registrar levels. CONMESS 6–7 covers established Consultants with fellowship qualifications (FWACS, FMCP, FMCS etc.).
CONMESS Full Grade Table 2026 — All 14 Grades
| Grade | Role / Title | Entry Qualification | Step 1 Annual | Step 1 Monthly | Step 3 Annual | Step 6 Annual | Step 9 (max) | Take-home est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONMESS 1 Entry | House Officer 1-year mandatory internship | MBBS / BDS (internship) | ₦2,564,501 | ₦213,708 /mo | ₦2,675,179 | ₦2,847,956 | ₦3,100,000 | ₦488,303–₦564,166 |
| CONMESS 1 | House Officer 1-year mandatory internship | MBBS / BDS (internship) | ₦2,564,501 | ₦213,708 /mo | ₦2,675,179 | ₦2,847,956 | ₦3,100,000 | ₦488,303–₦564,166 |
| CONMESS 2 | Medical Officer Pre-residency / junior resident | MBBS + 1yr post-internship | ₦2,745,750 | ₦228,812 /mo | ₦2,856,909 | ₦3,023,648 | ₦3,300,000 | ₦513,980–₦592,500 |
| CONMESS 2 | Medical Officer Pre-residency / junior resident | MBBS + 1yr post-internship | ₦2,745,750 | ₦228,812 /mo | ₦2,856,909 | ₦3,023,648 | ₦3,300,000 | ₦513,980–₦592,500 |
| CONMESS 3 | Senior Medical Officer Senior resident / registrar level | MBBS + 3yrs post-internship | ₦3,710,061 | ₦309,171 /mo | ₦3,855,343 | ₦4,073,267 | ₦4,440,000 | ₦650,590–₦754,000 |
| CONMESS 3 | Senior Medical Officer Senior resident / registrar level | MBBS + 3yrs post-internship | ₦3,710,061 | ₦309,171 /mo | ₦3,855,343 | ₦4,073,267 | ₦4,440,000 | ₦650,590–₦754,000 |
| CONMESS 4 | Principal Medical Officer Senior registrar | MBBS + 5yrs / fellowship in progress | ₦4,634,964 | ₦386,247 /mo | ₦4,854,300 | ₦5,183,303 | ₦5,660,000 | ₦781,619–₦926,833 |
| CONMESS 4 | Principal Medical Officer Senior registrar | MBBS + 5yrs / fellowship in progress | ₦4,634,964 | ₦386,247 /mo | ₦4,854,300 | ₦5,183,303 | ₦5,660,000 | ₦781,619–₦926,833 |
| CONMESS 5 | Asst Chief Medical Officer New consultant / consultant-in-training | Fellowship obtained (FWACS/FMCP/FMCS) | ₦5,483,017 | ₦456,918 /mo | ₦5,781,148 | ₦6,228,346 | ₦6,800,000 | ₦901,760–₦1,088,333 |
| CONMESS 5 | Asst Chief Medical Officer New consultant / consultant-in-training | Fellowship obtained (FWACS/FMCP/FMCS) | ₦5,483,017 | ₦456,918 /mo | ₦5,781,148 | ₦6,228,346 | ₦6,800,000 | ₦901,760–₦1,088,333 |
| CONMESS 6 | Chief Medical Officer Established consultant | Fellow + 3yrs post-fellowship | ₦7,113,184 | ₦592,765 /mo | ₦7,493,931 | ₦8,065,051 | ₦8,820,000 | ₦1,132,700–₦1,374,500 |
| CONMESS 6 | Chief Medical Officer Established consultant | Fellow + 3yrs post-fellowship | ₦7,113,184 | ₦592,765 /mo | ₦7,493,931 | ₦8,065,051 | ₦8,820,000 | ₦1,132,700–₦1,374,500 |
| CONMESS 7 | Consultant Top CONMESS grade | Fellow + 5yrs, senior appointment | ₦9,952,637 | ₦829,386 /mo | ₦10,459,266 | ₦11,219,211 | ₦11,219,211 | ₦1,534,956–₦1,714,388 |
| CONMESS 7 Top | Consultant Top CONMESS grade | Fellow + 5yrs, senior appointment | ₦9,952,637 | ₦829,386 /mo | ₦10,459,266 | ₦11,219,211 | ₦11,219,211 | ₦1,534,956–₦1,714,388 |
Take-home estimate adds 70% allowances to monthly basic + ₦125,000 fixed. Steps 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 are intermediate — add proportionally. Figures are basic salary only. Updated: September 4, 2026.
💡 CONMESS Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026
Select your grade and step to estimate monthly take-home pay including all 6 CONMESS allowances.
⚠️ Estimates only. Actual pay depends on your posting, step, and current NSIWC circulars. Verify with your payroll office.
CONMESS Allowances 2026
In addition to basic salary, CONMESS workers receive the following allowances. These significantly increase total take-home pay above the basic salary figures in the grade table.
| Allowance | Type | Rate | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Allowance | Percent | 25% | of annual basic salary | Standard for all CONMESS grades |
| Transport Allowance | Percent | 20% | of annual basic salary | Higher rate than civil service |
| Hazard Allowance | Fixed | ₦75,000/mo | per month | Revised 2024 — medical hazard, infections, radiation |
| Call Duty Allowance | Fixed | ₦50,000/mo | per month | For doctors on on-call rotas — revised 2024 |
| Rural Posting Allowance | Percent | 15% | of annual basic salary | Doctors posted to rural health facilities |
| Leave Allowance | Percent | 10% | of annual basic salary | Annual leave allowance |
CONMESS in Context — 2026
CONMESS is at the centre of Nigeria's medical brain drain crisis. Despite being the highest-paying federal scale after CONJUSS, thousands of Nigerian doctors continue to emigrate annually to the UK (through PLAB), USA (USMLE), Canada, and Australia. The NMA has documented that over 16,000 Nigerian doctors have emigrated in the past decade. Medical educators argue that even the improved CONMESS 2024 rates cannot compete with NHS salaries for junior doctors, let alone specialist pay in North America. The brain drain has left Nigerian teaching hospitals critically understaffed.
FAQs — CONMESS Salary Scale Nigeria
What is the CONMESS salary scale in Nigeria?
CONMESS (Consolidated Medical and Dental Salary Structure) is the salary structure for medical doctors and dental surgeons in federal government hospitals and agencies in Nigeria. The entry-level grade earns approximately ₦213,708/month basic at Step 1. The highest grade reaches approximately ₦934,934/month. The scale has 14 grade levels and 6 allowance categories. It is administered by the NMA / NSIWC. Last updated: September 2026.
How much does a CONMESS worker earn per month in Nigeria?
Monthly salaries under CONMESS range from approximately ₦213,708 at entry level to ₦934,934 at the top grade. These are basic salary figures — total take-home is higher when housing, transport, and other allowances are added. Standard allowances total approximately 70% of annual basic salary per year. Fixed allowances add approximately ₦125,000/month on top.
How does CONMESS compare to the minimum wage?
Nigeria's minimum wage is ₦70,000/month (₦840,000/year) as of the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act. The CONMESS entry grade earns approximately ₦213,708/month basic — ₦143,708/month above the minimum wage.
What allowances do CONMESS workers receive?
CONMESS workers receive the following allowances: Housing Allowance: 25% of of annual basic salary (Standard for all CONMESS grades); Transport Allowance: 20% of of annual basic salary (Higher rate than civil service); Hazard Allowance: ₦75,000 fixed (Revised 2024 — medical hazard, infections, radiation); Call Duty Allowance: ₦50,000 fixed (For doctors on on-call rotas — revised 2024); Rural Posting Allowance: 15% of of annual basic salary (Doctors posted to rural health facilities); Leave Allowance: 10% of of annual basic salary (Annual leave allowance). These allowances are added to basic salary to determine total take-home pay.
Who qualifies for CONMESS in Nigeria?
CONMESS covers all medical doctors (MBBS holders) and dental surgeons (BDS holders) in federal employment — at teaching hospitals, federal medical centres, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and similar federal health agencies. House Officers (CONMESS 1) are MBBS graduates completing their mandatory 1-year internship. Medical Officers (CONMESS 2) are post-internship doctors. Progression through CONMESS 3–5 represents registrar/senior registrar levels. CONMESS 6–7 covers established Consultants with fellowship qualifications (FWACS, FMCP, FMCS etc.).