Starting your medical career in Nigeria begins with housemanship, the mandatory one-year internship for fresh medical and dental graduates. While the primary goal is clinical exposure and skill development, many doctors also consider salary differences across hospitals before choosing a center.
If you’re searching for the best-paying hospitals for housemanship in Nigeria (2026), this guide highlights top centers that offer higher-than-average salaries, along with their competitiveness and locations.
Standard Housemanship Salary in Nigeria
On the MDCN housemanship portal, most accredited hospitals pay a standard monthly allowance of ₦267,000 for both MBBS and BDS graduates.
However, a few teaching hospitals and private institutions go above this rate, offering significantly higher salaries and attracting strong competition.
Top 5 Highest Paying Hospitals for House Officers in Nigeria
1. Health Service Commission (HSC), Lagos
- Salary: ₦374,000
- Location: Lagos
- Competitiveness: Very High
HSC Lagos tops the list with the highest housemanship salary in Nigeria. Its attractive pay makes it one of the most competitive centers nationwide, with hundreds of applicants vying for limited slots.
2. Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH)
- Salary: ₦336,000+
- Location: Lagos
- Competitiveness: High
LASUTH is another Lagos-based giant offering above-standard salaries. House officers here enjoy both excellent pay and robust clinical training in a busy teaching hospital environment.
3. Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH)
- Salary: ₦316,000
- Location: Rivers State (Port Harcourt)
- Competitiveness: High
RSUTH offers competitive remuneration and broad clinical exposure, thanks to its high patient flow. It is one of the best-paying housemanship centers outside Lagos.
4. University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Akure
- Salary: ₦311,000
- Location: Akure, Ondo State
- Competitiveness: Moderate
Though relatively new, UNIMEDTH has positioned itself as a strong contender by offering salaries above the MDCN standard. Competition is moderate compared to Lagos and Rivers centers, making it an attractive choice for many.
4. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); Pay 290k
is a major public healthcare provider and training institution located in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, Nigeria
5. Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals (Private)
- Salary: ₦288,000
- Location: Ikeja and Ikoyi, Lagos
- Competitiveness: Moderate
For those who prefer private-sector exposure, Iwosan Lagoon Hospitals stand out among private facilities, offering higher-than-average salaries with a good learning environment.
St. Nicholas Hospital lagos;St. Nicholas Hospital is a multi-specialist private hospital; pays #285k
7. Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH)
Salary: ₦283,000
Location: Makurdi, Benue State
Competitiveness: Moderate
BSUTH is another strong option for house officers. With a salary slightly above the MDCN standard, it provides decent remuneration along with exposure to diverse medical cases in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria.
Other High-Paying Options
Asaba Specialist hospital- #277,000
Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu- # 274,000
- Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja – ₦274,000
- Maitama District Hospital, Abuja – ₦274,000
Both facilities pay slightly above the MDCN portal standard and remain solid options for house officers looking to train in Abuja.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Housemanship Center
While salary is an important factor, choosing a housemanship center should also consider:
- Quality of mentorship
- Workload and patient exposure
- Specialty interests
- Location preference
That said, if maximizing income is your top priority, hospitals like HSC Lagos, LASUTH, and RSUTH should be at the top of your list.
👉 At Doclumina.org, we provide medical graduates with step-by-step guidance on housemanship, MDCN processes, and mentorship opportunities to help you thrive in your career.
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