What are the Annual Leave entitlements in Nigeria?

Annual leave is a fundamental employment benefit in Nigeria, allowing employees time off work to rest and rejuvenate. 


Eligibility and Entitlement

  • Minimum Leave Entitlement: Employees in Nigeria are entitled to a minimum of 6 working days of annual leave after completing 12 months of continuous service with their employer.
  • Pro-rated Leave in the First Year: For employees who have not yet completed their first full year of employment, leave entitlements are pro-rated based on the number of months worked. Full annual leave entitlement begins in the second year of employment.


Carryover of Unused Leave

  • Accrued Leave: If an employee does not use their full annual leave entitlement within the calendar year, they may carry over the unused leave into the following year.
  • Carryover Period: The maximum carryover period for accrued leave is 24 months. However, the employee must obtain the employer's agreement to defer the leave to the next year.


Additional Considerations

  • Leave Scheduling: While employees are entitled to annual leave, the scheduling of this leave may depend on the operational needs of the employer. It is common for employees to agree with their employers on the timing of their leave.
  • Contractual Agreements: Some employers may offer more generous leave policies than the statutory minimum, so employees are encouraged to review their employment contracts for specific details.

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