Leave Laws
Last updated on August 10, 2026.
Paid Time Off (PTO) in Nigeria
Vacation Leave Quota
6 days
Employees in Nigeria are legally entitled to at least 6 days of paid vacation per year. Employees working full-time but below 16 years old qualify for 12 days of vacation.
Employees become eligible for vacation days after a full year (12 months) of work at the company. However, some employers choose to provide 7 or more days of vacation from the very beginning of employment.
Any public holidays are not included in the minimum vacation entitlement.
Although Nigerian law requires only 6 working days, most employers offer considerably more, generally from 15 to 30 days annually.
Carry Over
Acceptable, but the employer must confirm.
Although vacation days should be used within the year they accrue, an employer and an employee may agree to carry them over to the following year. Afterward, employees are required to use their carried-over days within 2 years from the time they were earned. However, the decision to allow an employee to carry over his vacation days is ultimately up to the employer.
Payout
Employees receive a basic salary while on vacation.
Employees have the right to receive their standard wages while on vacation. This payment does not include any vacation allowances or overtime payments.
Employers may not compensate their employees for vacation days in exchange for wages. However, they have to compensate an employee for his/her unused vacation days when the employee’s contract is terminated.
Sick Leave in Nigeria
12 days
Workers in Nigeria may take up to 12 days of paid sick leave. Similar to vacation leave, this is minimum requirement - some employers offer more via company policy.
To be eligible for a justified absence, an employee must present an official medical certificate within 2 days of the beginning of the leave, issued by a certified practitioner.
Payout
In Nigeria, the employer is responsible for paying sick leave. This means that employees continue to receive their full salary during their absence. In cases where the employer fails to provide sick pay, employees are eligible to claim it from the national insurance fund.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Maternity Leave in Nigeria
12 weeks
Pregnant employees in Nigeria are entitled to 12 weeks of partially paid maternity leave.
This leave consists of:
- 6 weeks of prenatal maternity leave
and
- 6 weeks of postnatal leave
Some employers offer longer maternity leave or provide full pay.
In order to receive maternity leave entitlement, a female employee must have at least 6 months of service with the current employer. Also, an employee must provide an official certificate of pregnancy from a certified doctor.
Pregnant employees who work in the public sector receive 16 weeks of maternity leave at full pay.
Payout
An employee receives 50% of their regular salary while on maternity leave. The employer is responsible for paying this compensation.
Paternity Leave in Nigeria
Not required by law.
The current labor law does not guarantee employees in the private sector paternity leave.
Employees who work in the public sector in the states of Lagos and Enugu are entitled to at least 2 weeks of paid paternity leave.
Bereavement Leave in Nigeria
Bereavement leave is not specified by law. However, in practice, private companies usually grant employees 3-5 days for the death of an immediate family member.
Jury Duty Leave in Nigeria
Jury duty leave is not specified by law; courts in Nigeria don’t use a jury system.
Military Leave in Nigeria
Military leave is not specified by law. Nigeria’s armed forces are all-volunteer — there’s no conscription.
Voting Leave in Nigeria
Online data is unavailable; please consult official legal materials or offline sources for information.
Public Holidays in Nigeria
A complete list of official holidays celebrated in Nigeria:
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day |
| Movable (*) : Shawwal 1 | Eid al-Fitr, aka Id el Fitri (The end of Ramadan) |
| Movable: In spring - 2 days before Easter Sunday (**) | Good Friday |
| Movable: In spring - The day after Easter Sunday (**) | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | International Labor Day |
| Movable (*): Dhu al-Hijjah 10 | Eid al-Adha (aka Id el Kabir) |
| June 12 | Democracy Day |
| Movable (*): Rabi’ al-awwal 12 | Mawlid, aka Id el Maulud (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) |
| October 1 | Independence Day |
| December 25 | Christmas |
| December 26 | Boxing Day |
(*) - Dates are movable every year according to the Islamic lunar calendar and are approved as the date of the holiday approaches.
(**) - The dates of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday vary each year according to the Christian Church calendar.
Addtional holidays
Certain holidays might be specific to regions or states within Nigeria.
Sources
-
Local Laws & Regulations of Nigeria, https://www.atlashxm.com/en/countries/nigeria
-
Definitive Guide to Hiring in Nigeria, https://www.globalexpansion.com/countrypedia/nigeria
-
Payroll and Benefits Guide Nigeria, https://www.papayaglobal.com/countrypedia/country/nigeria
Check out our Leave Laws page to learn more about laws in various countries.
This material is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For current and accurate guidance, please consult legal counsel in your jurisdiction.
Get started
