E cheaper to hire live-in or live-out staff?

Live-in cash salary normally 20–30% less, but you provide accommodation, meals, and utilities — wey add ₦20K–₦50K real value.

Where I fit find reliable domestic staff?

Best source: personal referral, church/mosque network, agency (Nanny Bay, Eden Life, Maid in Nigeria). Agency dey charge 1–2 months salary as fee.

👩‍🍼 Lagos Domestic Staff Guide

Salary for nanny, driver, gateman, cook, and househelp — by area.

Salary comparison

Mainland vs Island monthly salary by role

Role	Mainland (₦/mo)	Island (₦/mo)	Arrangement
Nanny / Childminder Childcare	₦50,000–120,000	₦80,000–250,000	Live-in or out
Househelp / Cleaner Household	₦30,000–80,000	₦50,000–120,000	Live-in or out
Personal Driver Driving	₦50,000–100,000	₦80,000–180,000	Live-out
Gateman / Mai-Guard Security	₦25,000–60,000	₦40,000–100,000	Live-in
Cook / Chef Cooking	₦40,000–80,000	₦60,000–150,000	Live-in or out
Laundry & Ironing Person Laundry	₦20,000–40,000	₦30,000–60,000	Live-out
Generator Mechanic Maintenance	₦10,000–25,000	₦15,000–35,000	Per-visit
Gardener Gardening	₦15,000–40,000	₦25,000–60,000	Live-out

🧮 Wetin you suppose pay?

Pick area and roles wey you need — see your monthly staff cost.

Area

Role wey you need

Estimated monthly cost — Lekki Phase 1

₦170,000–₦400,000 per month

₦2,040,000–₦4,800,000 per year

Nanny / Childminder	₦80,000–200,000
Househelp / Cleaner	₦50,000–120,000
Gateman / Mai-Guard	₦40,000–80,000

Lagos.Cool Editorial

2 May 2026 · 2 min read

Di invisible workforce: ₦2.3 trillion and zero contract

Nigeria domestic service sector dey employ around 7-10 million worker — but almost none get written contract, health insurance, or pension. For Lagos, where 60%+ of middle-class household employ at least one domestic worker, di whole sector dey run on verbal agreement and trust. Our guide dey bring transparency: how much you suppose pay nanny for Lekki vs Yaba? Live-in gateman cheaper pass security company? When driver break even vs Bolt?

Di Island-Mainland salary gap for domestic worker follow same gap for everything else for Lagos — 40-60% premium for same work for Island. Nanny for Alimosho earn ₦40,000-₦70,000. Same role for Lekki dey command ₦80,000-₦200,000. Island household expect English fluency, school run for traffic, and social polish of estate living.

Di biggest hidden cost na live-in staff accommodation. Gateman wey earn ₦40,000/month cash dey receive room (worth ₦15,000-₦30,000), meals (₦30,000-₦60,000), and utilities. Di true cost na ₦85,000-₦130,000/month — double di headline salary.

FAQ

Nanny salary range from ₦50,000/month (mainland, basic) to ₦250,000+/month (Island). Lekki and VI family normally pay ₦80,000–₦200,000.