We take a detailed look into the field of Microbiology with a focus on the salary earned by microbiologists in Nigeria. Microbiology is a highly lucrative scientific course that is available for study in several higher institutions of learning in the country. There are several aspects of Microbiology that you can focus on after graduation and you can rest assured that you will earn good pay. So what is the salary of a microbiologist in Nigeria? The next sub-topic will reveal that.

MICROBIOLOGIST SALARY IN NIGERIA

• Salary of Micro-biologist in Nigeria
• The average salary of a microbiologist in Nigeria is ₦61,000 monthly.
• Entry Level Salary for Microbiologist in Nigeria (0 – 2 years experience), it’s about ₦56, 000
• Mid Level Salary for Microbiologist in Nigeria (3 – 9 years experience) is around ₦70, 000
• Senior Level Salary for Microbiologist in Nigeria is above ₦100,000

However, note that the salary earned by microbiologists vary depending on the size of the company.

• So What Do Microbiologists Do?

Microbiologists are scientists that study microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and also some types of parasites. They try as much as possible to understand how these organisms live, grow, and interact with their environments.

• Duties of Microbiologists

The following are some of the responsibilities of a typical Microbiologists:

• Plan and conduct complex research projects. Examples of such projects are improving sterilization procedures, developing new drugs to combat infectious diseases and so on.
• Perform laboratory experiments used which the results may be used to diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
• Supervise the work of biological technicians and other workers and also evaluate the accuracy of their results
• Isolate and maintain cultures of bacteria and other microorganisms for study.
• Identify and classify organisms that are spotted on specimens collected from plants, humans, environment or animals.
• Monitor the effect of microorganisms on animals, plants, as well as other microorganisms, or the environment
• Review literature and findings of other researchers in the field of microbiology or related fields and attend conferences
• Prepare technical reports, publish research papers, and also make recommendations based on research findings
• Present your research findings to scientists, nonscientist executives, engineers, your other colleagues, and the public
• Also, microbiologists work in research and development, conducting basic research or applied research. While basic research aims to increase scientific knowledge, applied research, on the other hand, is aimed at developing new products to solve particular problems.

As I mentioned earlier, the field. Of microbiology is quite wide and as a result, there are several types of microbiologists. So how many types are there? Find out below.

Types of microbiologists are:

• Bacteriologists: This type of microbiologists study the growth, development, as well as properties of bacteria. Their study also includes both the positive and negative effects that bacteria have on plants, animals, including humans.
• Clinical microbiologists: They perform different types of clinical laboratory tests on specimens that are collected from plants, humans, and animals to aid in the detection of disease. Clinical and medical microbiologists who work directly in researching human health may be classified as medical scientists.
• Environmental microbiologists: This type of microbiologists study the interaction between organisms and the environment and each other. Also, they may study the use of microbes to clean up areas that are contaminated by heavy metals or study how microbes could aid crop growth.
• Industrial microbiologists: They study and solve problems that are related to industrial production processes. They have the responsibility of examining microbial growth that is found in the pipes of a chemical factory, monitor the impact of industrial waste on the local ecosystem, or oversee the microbial activities that are used in cheese production so as ensure quality.
• Mycologists: This type of microbiologists study the properties of fungi such as yeast and mold. Also, they study the ways fungi can be exploited to benefit society, for example, in food or the environment, and also they study the risks fungi may pose to humans.
• Parasitologists: They are concerned with the study of the life cycle of parasites, the parasite-host relationship, and also how parasites adapt to different environments. They may also investigate the outbreak as well as control of parasitic diseases such as malaria.
• Public health microbiologists: They are into specimen examination to track, control, and prevent infectious diseases and other health hazards. Typically, they provide laboratory services for local health departments and community health programs.
• Virologists: They study the structure, development, as well as other properties of viruses and any possible effects viruses have on infected organisms.

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• Job Prospects For Microbiologists

Microbiologists can work in so many areas, and as a result, job prospect for microbiologists is high. Microbiologists can work in so many areas such as Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, Colleges, universities, and professional schools, government service and so on. Typically, microbiologists work in laboratories, offices, and industrial settings where they carry out experiments and analyze the results. Microbiologists that work with dangerous organisms must follow laid down strict safety procedures to avoid contamination. In recourse o their job specifications some microbiologists may be travel occasionally to collect samples from the environment or work sites or to conduct insure visits.

Basic researchers who work in the academia usually have the liberty to choose the focus of their research and run their laboratories, while Applied researchers who work for companies have to study the products that the company will sell or suggest modifications to the production process to make the company more efficient.

The question that must be at the back of your mind now is how do I become a Microbiologist. It is quite simple.

• How To Become A Microbiologist In Nigeria

In Nigeria, first, you have to complete your senior secondary education and obtain at least 5 O’ level credit passes in science subjects. What you need is credit passes in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. With this result, you can then proceed to apply for UTME. You will register and select your preferred institution and preferred course which in this case is Microbiology. It is important to consult the recent JAMB brochure for schools currently offering the course. After registration, you will sit for UTME and pass with a score of at least 180 to be eligible for consideration for admission in most universities. Once you scale this and also pass the Post-UTME organized by the school, you will be offered admission, and you are in your way to becoming a microbiologist in four years. After four years you will earn a bachelor’s degree in microbiology which is the requirement for entry-level microbiologist jobs. You will require more studies to work in senior roles or a university. Most microbiology majors in universities take core courses in microbial genetics and microbial physiology and elective classes such as environmental microbiology and virology. Microbiology students also get to take courses in other related science fields such as biochemistry, chemistry, and physics, as it is important for microbiologists to have a broad understanding of all the sciences. Courses in computer science, statistics, and mathematics are equally crucial for microbiologists as they may need to do complex data analysis. Also, it is important for prospective microbiologists to gain laboratory experience before entering the labor market. This is why most undergraduate microbiology programs usually include a mandatory laboratory requirement, but additional laboratory coursework is recommended. Also, microbiology students can gain valuable laboratory experience through internships with prospective employers, such as drug manufacturers.

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Conclusion On Salary of Micro-biologist in Nigeria

We have critically examined the field of microbiology, offering in-depth knowledge about the field, the types of microbiologist that are out there, how to become one, possible areas where they work and also the salary they earn in Nigeria. If you are keen to pursue a career in microbiology, I’m certain that by reading this article, your knowledge of the course has been increased.

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