What Nigerian Employers & Employees Should Know About the Law

What Every Nigerian Employers & Employees Should Know About Employment Law

On 1st May, Nigeria joined over 160 countries in celebrating International Workers’ Day, a public holiday that offers not just celebration, but a time for reflection. It is also a reminder of how wide the gap is between Nigerian labour law as written and the realities in many Nigerian workplaces. – This gap is not merely academic, but has real commercial consequences. For businesses that are unaware they are being targeted for unfair dismissal claims, for employees whose rights are not known, and for employers who think a one-page offer letter is sufficient for an employment contract, this article examines both sides of the employment relationship, because Workers’ Day is not about one without the other.

Termination of Employment in Nigeria: Legal Considerations for Employers.

Like in all common law jurisdictions, relationships between employers and employees in Nigeria are primarily governed by their contracts of employment and any applicable employment laws for the time being in force. Contracts of employment would typically deal with issues such as nature of work, hours of work, emoluments, holidays, sickness, termination, notice period, disciplinary procedures, etc. Despite the provisions of the contracts, disputes still arise between the parties. Some of the issues that lead to disputes in employment include termination without notice, failure to follow laid down procedure/policies, non-payment of termination benefits, failure to give notice of termination, withholding or deduction of salaries, etc.