Is it cheaper to hire live-in or live-out staff?

Live-in cash salary is typically 20–30% lower, but you provide accommodation, meals, and utilities — adding ₦20K–₦50K in real value. Live-out is more flexible but only works if the staff lives nearby.

Where do I find reliable domestic staff?

Best sources: personal referrals, church/mosque networks, professional agencies (Nanny Bay, Eden Life, Maid in Nigeria). Agencies charge 1–2 months' salary as fees but provide vetting and replacement guarantees.

👩‍🍼 Lagos Domestic Staff Guide

Salaries for nannies, drivers, gatemen, cooks, and household help — by neighborhood.

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 / Security 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 Staff 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 / Landscaper Gardening	₦15,000–40,000	₦25,000–60,000	Live-out

🧮 What should you pay?

Pick a neighborhood and the roles you need — see your monthly domestic staff cost.

Neighborhood

Roles 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 / Security Guard	₦40,000–80,000

Lagos.Cool Editorial

2 May 2026 · 2 min read

The invisible workforce: ₦2.3 trillion and zero contracts

Nigeria's domestic service sector employs an estimated 7-10 million workers — yet virtually none have written contracts, health insurance, or pension contributions. In Lagos, a city where 60%+ of middle-class households employ at least one domestic worker, the sector operates entirely on verbal agreements and trust. Our guide exists to bring transparency to a market that desperately needs it: what should you pay a nanny in Lekki vs Yaba? Is a live-in gateman cheaper than a security company? When does hiring a driver break even vs Bolt?

The Island-Mainland salary gap for domestic workers mirrors the gap for everything else in Lagos — 40-60% premium for the same work on the Island. A nanny in Alimosho earns ₦40,000-₦70,000. The same role in Lekki commands ₦80,000-₦200,000. This isn't just geographic pricing — Island households expect English fluency, school-run logistics across traffic, and the social polish of estate living.

The biggest hidden cost is live-in staff accommodation. A gateman earning ₦40,000/month in cash also receives a room (worth ₦15,000-₦30,000/month), meals (₦30,000-₦60,000/month), and utilities. The true cost is ₦85,000-₦130,000/month — double the headline salary. Our calculator accounts for this.

FAQ

Nanny salaries range from ₦50,000/month (mainland, basic) to ₦250,000+/month (Island, with experience and English fluency). Lekki and VI families typically pay ₦80,000–₦200,000.