If you are searching for the CONPASS salary structure 2026, paramilitary salary by grade level, or the amount paid to officers in agencies such as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Correctional Service and other federal paramilitary organisations, this guide explains how the system works in simple terms.
CONPASS means Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure. It is the salary framework associated with Nigeria’s federal paramilitary services. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) lists CONPASS among Nigeria’s consolidated public-sector salary structures and identifies it specifically as the Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure.
One important point should be made at the beginning: salary figures published online for 2026 are not always official government figures. The NSIWC’s publicly available salary-structure pages do not currently provide a new 2026 CONPASS table that can be used to verify every monthly amount by grade and step. Therefore, figures quoted as 2026 estimates should be treated as indicative ranges rather than guaranteed take-home pay.
CONPASS Salary Structure 2026 at a Glance
The amount an officer receives under CONPASS can depend on several factors, including grade level, step, rank, qualification, years of service, agency, approved allowances and statutory deductions.
For a general 2026 guide, commonly published estimates place monthly CONPASS earnings approximately within the following ranges:
| CONPASS Grade | Estimated Monthly Salary Range |
|---|---|
| CONPASS 01 | ₦70,000 – ₦80,000 |
| CONPASS 02 | ₦70,000 – ₦90,000 |
| CONPASS 03 | ₦70,000 – ₦100,000 |
| CONPASS 04 | ₦80,000 – ₦110,000 |
| CONPASS 05 | ₦90,000 – ₦120,000 |
| CONPASS 06 | ₦100,000 – ₦140,000 |
| CONPASS 07 | ₦110,000 – ₦160,000 |
| CONPASS 08 | ₦130,000 – ₦200,000 |
| CONPASS 09 | ₦150,000 – ₦230,000 |
| CONPASS 10 | ₦180,000 – ₦260,000 |
| CONPASS 11 | ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 |
| CONPASS 12 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 |
| CONPASS 13 | ₦300,000 – ₦400,000 |
| CONPASS 14 | ₦350,000 – ₦450,000 |
| CONPASS 15 | ₦400,000 – ₦550,000 |
| CONPASS 16 | ₦450,000 – ₦650,000 |
These figures are best understood as 2026 online estimates, not an official salary schedule issued for every grade and step by the Nigerian government. A recent 2026 salary guide, for example, publishes similar estimated monthly ranges while noting that grade, step, rank and allowances can affect an officer’s actual earnings.
What Is CONPASS?
The Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure (CONPASS) is a government salary framework used for paramilitary personnel in Nigeria.
The structure is intended to provide an organised way of determining pay according to an employee’s grade, step and career position. The NSIWC records the establishment of CONPASS as one of the consolidated salary structures for the federal public service. Its historical records identify the CONPASS circular as reference number SWC/S/04/VIII/307, dated 1 July 2010.
CONPASS should not be confused with every other government salary structure in Nigeria. For example, CONPSS is the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure, while CONPASS relates specifically to paramilitary services.
This distinction is important because many websites incorrectly use the terms interchangeably.
Which Agencies Use CONPASS?
CONPASS is associated with several federal paramilitary services. These include organisations operating under the federal security and interior-sector framework.
Examples include:
- Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)
- Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
- Federal Fire Service (FFS)
- Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS)
- Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
- National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
The exact application of pay, ranks, allowances and career progression can differ from one organisation to another. In other words, two officers who appear to be on comparable grades may not necessarily have identical total earnings.
The nature of the job also matters. Paramilitary employees may perform enforcement, border, emergency-response, correctional, security or other specialised duties.
How CONPASS Grade Levels Affect Salary
A simple way to understand CONPASS is to think of the grade level as a position within the government pay system.
Generally, a higher grade corresponds to greater responsibility and a higher salary range.
For example, an entry-level employee may begin at a lower CONPASS grade, while an experienced officer who has progressed through promotion can move to a higher grade.
However, grade level alone does not tell you exactly how much an officer will receive each month.
The step within the grade can also make a difference. An officer at Step 1 and another officer at a later step may be on the same grade but earn different basic salaries.
This is why simply saying “CONPASS 08 earns ₦X” can be misleading.
CONPASS 08 Salary in 2026
CONPASS 08 is one of the grades frequently searched by graduates and people interested in paramilitary recruitment.
Current online 2026 estimates place CONPASS 08 at roughly ₦130,000 to ₦200,000 per month, depending on the officer’s circumstances.
Some 2026 recruitment and salary guides provide narrower estimates for graduate-level paramilitary positions. For example, one current estimate places an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration II on CONPASS 08 at about ₦140,000 to ₦160,000 monthly.
The difference between published figures illustrates why applicants should not assume that every CONPASS 08 officer receives exactly the same amount.
CONPASS 09 Salary in 2026
CONPASS 09 is generally associated with a higher level of responsibility than CONPASS 08.
Published 2026 estimates place the grade at approximately ₦150,000 to ₦230,000 per month.
For comparison, a current immigration salary estimate places an Assistant Superintendent of Immigration I, listed as CONPASS 09, at about ₦160,000 to ₦180,000 monthly.
Again, these figures should be regarded as estimates rather than a universal salary applicable to every officer.
CONPASS 10, 11 and 12 Salary
As officers progress into more senior positions, their potential earnings generally increase.
Current 2026 estimates put the approximate ranges at:
- CONPASS 10: ₦180,000 – ₦260,000 monthly
- CONPASS 11: ₦220,000 – ₦300,000 monthly
- CONPASS 12: ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 monthly
These figures are useful for understanding the general salary progression, but they should not be mistaken for guaranteed take-home pay.
The official salary system can involve different steps and conditions, while an employee’s final payslip can also contain allowances and deductions.
Does Qualification Affect CONPASS Salary?
Yes, qualification can influence the grade or entry position for which an applicant is considered, depending on the recruitment cadre and the rules of the particular agency.
This is why you may see different entry positions for candidates with secondary-school certificates, National Diploma qualifications, Higher National Diploma qualifications or university degrees.
However, qualification does not automatically mean that every graduate will receive the same salary.
Recruitment is normally tied to a specific cadre, position and grade. The organisation’s recruitment announcement and official appointment documentation should therefore be treated as more reliable than a generic salary table found on social media.
Applicants should also be careful with websites claiming that a particular qualification guarantees a specific salary without identifying the applicable recruitment cadre.
What About Allowances Under CONPASS?
Basic salary is only one part of an employee’s overall compensation.
Depending on the service, position and applicable government rules, officers may receive approved allowances or other benefits connected with their duties.
Historically, the CONPASS framework consolidated a number of allowances into salary arrangements. A published copy of the CONPASS documentation lists items such as transport, meal subsidy, utility, hazard, house maintenance, uniform maintenance and other duty-related allowances among the components considered under the structure.
However, allowances should not be added blindly to an estimated basic salary.
Not every officer receives every allowance, and eligibility can depend on posting, role, entitlement and government policy.
This is one reason why a person’s gross pay and net pay can be different.
Gross Salary vs Take-Home Salary
When searching for the CONPASS salary structure 2026, many people are actually asking how much money they will receive in their bank account.
These are not necessarily the same thing.
Gross salary is the amount before applicable deductions.
Net salary, commonly called take-home pay, is what remains after relevant deductions have been made.
Possible deductions can include pension contributions, tax and other authorised deductions depending on the employee’s circumstances.
For this reason, an online article stating that an officer earns ₦200,000 per month should not automatically be interpreted as ₦200,000 arriving in the officer’s bank account.
The best way to determine actual take-home pay is to use the officer’s official salary details and current payslip.
Has CONPASS Changed in 2026?
Nigeria’s public-sector pay environment has continued to change following the implementation of the new national minimum wage and subsequent reviews of public-sector remuneration.
The NSIWC’s 2026 records show that the Commission continues to publish and administer salary-related circulars and remuneration reviews. Its current archive includes 2026 publications and allowance reviews, although the publicly listed material does not provide a new comprehensive CONPASS table covering every paramilitary grade and step.
This is important when evaluating articles claiming to provide an “official CONPASS salary structure 2026.”
A professional salary guide should distinguish between:
- An official government salary circular;
- A historical CONPASS salary table;
- An estimated 2026 salary range; and
- An individual’s actual gross or net pay.
These are four different things.
Why Online CONPASS Salary Figures Differ
If you search for “CONPASS salary structure 2026 Nigeria,” you may find several different figures for the same grade.
There are several reasons for this.
First, some websites use old salary tables and label them as current.
Second, some publishers convert annual salaries into monthly amounts but do not clearly explain whether they are discussing basic pay or total compensation.
Third, different agencies may have different ranks and allowances.
Fourth, salary can vary by step within a grade.
Finally, government salary reviews can change the amounts over time.
A historical CONPASS salary table effective from 1 January 2024, for example, contains annual salary figures that vary considerably across grades and steps.
Therefore, anyone looking for an exact salary should confirm the figure against the latest official circular or appointment documentation.
CONPASS Salary Structure and Career Progression
One of the biggest advantages of understanding the CONPASS system is that it helps applicants see that government employment is not necessarily about the starting salary alone.
An officer can progress through steps and promotions over time.
Promotion can lead to a higher rank, increased responsibility and movement to a higher grade. Experience, qualifications, performance, available positions and the rules of the particular service can all influence career progression.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation continues to publish information relating to confirmation and promotion examinations for police, paramilitary and other professional cadres.
This means that someone considering a paramilitary career should look beyond the entry-level salary and also consider promotion opportunities, pension arrangements, allowances, training and long-term career development.
Is CONPASS the Same as CONPSS?
No.
This is one of the most common sources of confusion online.
CONPASS means Consolidated Para-Military Salary Structure.
CONPSS means Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure.
CONPSS applies to the wider federal public service, while CONPASS is associated with paramilitary services.
The NSIWC’s official records list both structures separately.
If you are researching a job, always check which salary structure applies to the specific organisation and position instead of assuming that every federal government employee uses the same pay scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About CONPASS Salary 2026
How much is CONPASS salary in 2026?
There is no single CONPASS salary because pay varies by grade, step, rank, agency and applicable allowances. Current online estimates range from roughly ₦70,000 at lower grades to more than ₦500,000 at some senior grades. These should be treated as indicative estimates, not guaranteed take-home pay.
How much does CONPASS 08 pay?
Current 2026 estimates commonly place CONPASS 08 around ₦130,000 to ₦200,000 per month, although specific positions may fall within narrower ranges.
How much does CONPASS 09 pay?
A commonly published 2026 estimate places CONPASS 09 at approximately ₦150,000 to ₦230,000 per month. The exact amount depends on the applicable grade, step, position and other factors.
Which paramilitary agency pays the highest salary?
It is difficult to name one agency as universally the highest-paying because total compensation depends on rank, grade, step, allowances, posting and career level. Comparing agencies using only a single entry-level salary can therefore produce a misleading conclusion.
Does CONPASS apply to NSCDC?
Yes. NSCDC is among the federal paramilitary organisations whose personnel are commonly covered by the paramilitary salary framework.
Does CONPASS apply to Immigration?
Yes. Nigeria Immigration Service personnel are associated with the CONPASS framework, with pay depending on rank, grade, step and other applicable conditions.
Is the CONPASS salary structure the same for every paramilitary agency?
Not necessarily. The underlying salary framework may be shared, but ranks, cadres, qualifications, allowances and specific conditions of service can differ between agencies.