Nigeria Employment Guide

Maternity Leave Regulations in Nigeria

Employees who have maintained continuous employment for at least six months and are expecting a child are entitled to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. This period is structured with six weeks allocated prior to the expected delivery date and six weeks following childbirth. During this leave, employees receive a minimum of 50% of their regular wages, with the financial responsibility falling on the employer.

In cases where medical complications necessitate an extension of the leave period, a certified medical certificate from a registered practitioner must be submitted for approval.

Paternity Leave Provisions

Currently, Nigerian labor legislation does not mandate paternity leave for fathers. This absence of statutory provision means employers have discretion in offering such benefits, though few companies outside multinational corporations provide this support.

Parental Leave Framework

Nigeria's employment laws do not include specific provisions for parental leave beyond maternity benefits. Employees typically rely on maternity and any discretionary paternity leave policies their employer may offer. For instance, SailGlobal implements a progressive parental policy that provides additional support beyond statutory requirements.

Sick Leave Entitlements

Employees are eligible for up to 12 days of paid sick leave annually. To qualify, they must present a medical certificate from a registered healthcare provider confirming their illness. During this period, employees receive their full basic salary, with employers bearing the compensation costs.

Comparative International Practices

When benchmarked against global standards, Nigeria's maternity provisions align with several developing economies, though they fall short of international best practices seen in countries like Sweden or Canada. The absence of paternity and parental leave provisions represents an area for potential legislative development.