Leave policy · 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Statutory leave in Nigeria — every employer's baseline.
Here's what the Nigerian Labour Act 1974 (as amended) requires as the legal minimum. Your company handbook can go further — AnooreHR configures to whatever policy you actually run.
Nigerian Labour Act 1974 (as amended)
Verified 2026-04-2312 months of continuous service before annual leave entitlement crystallises.
| Type | Entitlement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual leave | 6 days | Statutory minimum. Most SMEs give 15–25 days.§18 Labour Act |
| Sick leave | 12 days | Working days, full pay, medical certificate required.§16 Labour Act |
| Maternity leave | 12 weeks | 6 weeks pre-natal + 6 weeks post-natal. Minimum 50% of normal wages.§54 Labour Act |
| Paternity leave | None (federal) | Lagos State circular grants 2 weeks for public-sector fathers. Private-sector discretionary.Lagos HR circular 2017 |
| Public holidays | 11 days | Gazetted annually by the Federal Government / Ministry of Interior. |
Not legal advice. These figures are the statutory minimum and may be superseded by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or a more generous employment contract. Always consult a licensed labour lawyer for binding advice.
Run your own policy — not the floor
AnooreHR tracks leave accrual, approval, and payout automatically.
Configure whatever policy your business actually runs. Handles proration, rollover, buyouts, and the Nigeria public-holiday calendar out of the box.