Nigeria EOR & PEO

Start hiring in Nigeria

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Hire in Nigeria

Horizons ensures day-to-day guidance to help your business navigate Nigerian labor laws and regulations.

As the Nigeria Employer of Record, Horizons is responsible for employee income tax withholding, payment of payroll taxes to state authorities, and submission of tax returns to the Nigerian Tax Office.

Partnering with our Nigeria PEO is the quickest and most cost-effective way to enter the Nigerian market.

Facts & Stats

stay compliant with Nigeria labor laws

Employment Laws

Employment contracts in Nigeria

In Nigeria, it is a legal requirement to provide all employees with a formal contract of employment. Contracts should have all details of the employment, such as wage/salary, sick leave, and termination/severance terms. The official language of Nigeria is English, so contracts should generally be written in English, and you should reference the local currency of Nigerian naira.

By partnering with our Nigeria EOR, Horizons’ team of local experts can provide assistance for drafting strong employment contracts that are compliant with local regulations.

Fixed-term

Indefinite

Working hours in Nigeria

While there is no nationally regulated limit for working hours, the general working week for most jobs is around 40 hours. All work outside the standard hours should be paid at overtime rates. Both the maximum working hours and overtime pay rates may be agreed upon in individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), so can vary from industry to industry and role to role.

Public holidays in Nigeria

The following holidays are generally given to workers in Nigeria as paid leave every year. The following is an expanded list of holidays, some of which are only widely celebrated in certain regions:

Holiday Schedule in Nigeria [2024]

Nigeria has a range of national public holidays that are celebrated annually. In 2024 these holidays are:

Date	Holiday name
1 Jan, 2024	New Year’s Day
29 Mar, 2024	Good Friday
1 Apr, 2024	Easter Monday
10 Apr, 2024	Id el Fitr (Tentative Date)
11 Apr, 2024	Id el Fitr holiday (Tentative Date)
1 May, 2024	Workers’ Day
12 Jun, 2024	Democracy Day
16 Jun, 2024	Id el Kabir (Tentative Date)
17 Jun, 2024	Id el Kabir additional holiday (Tentative Date)
16 Sep, 2024	Id el Maulud (Tentative Date)
1 Oct, 2024	National Day
25 Dec, 2024	Christmas Day
26 Dec, 2024	Boxing Day

Nigeria vacation leave

Employees in Nigeria who have worked for at least 12 months are legally entitled to at least six days of paid annual leave. Some employers may choose to offer more, and there is a higher allowance of 12 days for workers under the age of 16.

Nigeria sick leave

Employees in Nigeria are entitled to at least 12 days of paid sick leave each year. Some employers may choose to offer more as part of their benefits packages.

Parental leave in Nigeria

Female employees in Nigeria are entitled to 12 week of paid maternity leave, with six weeks able to be taken before the birth of their child. In general, fathers are not entitled to paternity leave, but Enugu (three weeks) and Lagos (two weeks) regions do offer an allowance.

Terminations and severance in Nigeria

In Nigeria, employers and employees alike can end employment contracts at any time, similar to the ‘at-will’ system in the US. However, in practice, you should always provide a notice period and allow for some negotiations.

Employees are not legally entitled to severance payments in Nigeria.

Navigating employee terminations and handling severance packages can be complicated for companies expanding overseas for the first time. Horizons’ Nigeria EOR can mitigate risk for foreign companies and provide guidance through this process.

Taxation in Nigeria

Employers and employees in Nigeria must contribute a certain amount towards pension schemes, with employers contributing at least 10% and employees contributing at least 8%. Most employees (anyone earning over 3,0000 nairas per year) must also pay 2.5% to the National Housing Fund.

Income tax in Nigeria follows a progressive model, with rates ranging from 7% to 24% depending on income level.

For most companies, the corporate tax rate in Nigeria is 30%.

Health coverage in Nigeria

Nigeria has a nationalized health service, so workers are covered by this and employers are not required to offer insurance. However, some organizations do choose to offer private health cover as part of their benefits packages.

hassle-free Nigeria compensation & benefits

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation laws in Nigeria

As of 2024, the national minimum wage in Nigeria is NGN 30,000 per month (based on full-time work of 40 hours per week).

Minimum Wage Country Comparison Chart	(Per month in USD)
Switzerland (Geneva)	$4,000
Italy	$2,255
Australia	$1996
Algeria	$156
Uzbekistan	$22

Benefit management in Nigeria

Benefits packages in Nigeria may include things like health insurance, pension contributions, a company car, and so on. Establishing and running a benefits system for your Nigerian employees can be difficult as an independent organization, and you will need to be familiar with the country’s customs and labor laws, which can differ from state to state. The process can take unexpectedly long to set up, so it may be necessary to get professional advice.

Nigeria Employer Of Record Peo

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Hire in Nigeria

Employment Laws

Working hours in Nigeria

Public holidays in Nigeria

Compensation & Benefits

Frequently asked questions

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Hire in Nigeria in 24h without your own local entity.

With Horizons, you get quick service, transparent pricing, and expert support.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Nigeria PEO and a Nigeria EOR?

Generally speaking, the terms “Nigeria PEO” and “Nigeria EOR” are used interchangeably.

Does Horizons own an entity in Nigeria?

Yes – we operate with a 100% owned subsidiary. Unlike other providers in the market, Horizons do not subcontract to 3rd parties. This allows us to ensure our best-in-class service approach.

Can an EOR in Nigeria hire both local and foreign nationals to work in Nigeria?

An EOR in Nigeria can feasibly hire both local and foreign nationals to work in Nigeria.

However, the ability of Horizons to sponsor your foreign national employee in Nigeria may be limited due to visa quotas practiced in many countries.

Contact us with your requirements and our Global Mobility team with review the case and get back to you within 2 business days.

How long does Horizons' Nigeria EOR service take to hire an employee?

In most cases, Horizons’ Nigeria EOR can hire & onboard your employee within 24 hours. The actual start date of the employee will depend on their notice period obligation to their previous employer as well as any relevant hiring rules in Nigeria.

Is it possible to get a work visa in Nigeria?

It is possible to get a work visa in Nigeria. Horizons’ Global Mobility team is a dedicated team of work visa experts. They assess the details of each case to determine feasibility and costs before Horizons applies for the work visa on behalf of your employee. If the Global Mobility team determines that your case is feasible, the process is smooth and transparent. Visa spots in Nigeria are limited, however—get started today to secure your employees’ visa spot.

Does Horizons' entity in Nigeria have the NSITF certificate?

Of course! The NSITF (Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund) certificate is a prerequisite to be able to run a compliant local payroll and to declare social insurance payments. Horizons’ entity is full registered with all statutory government offices.

Can I pay my staff in Nigeria in US Dollar or Euro?

That’s not a problem. Regulations surrounding payroll in Nigeria allow Horizons to be able to arrange net payment to employees in multiple currencies such as US Dollar or Euro.

Nigeria EOR & PEO

Start hiring in Nigeria

Simple, compliant hiring with Horizons EOR

Hire in Nigeria

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stay compliant with Nigeria labor laws

Employment Laws

Employment contracts in Nigeria

Fixed-term

Probationary period

Termination notice period

Severance

Indefinite

Probationary period

Termination notice period

Severance

Working hours in Nigeria

Public holidays in Nigeria

Nigeria vacation leave

Nigeria sick leave

Parental leave in Nigeria

Terminations and severance in Nigeria

Taxation in Nigeria

Health coverage in Nigeria

hassle-free Nigeria compensation & benefits

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation laws in Nigeria

Benefit management in Nigeria

Hire in Nigeria in 24h without your own local entity.

Frequently asked questions

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