What are the Mandatory Benefits for employees in Nigeria?

In Nigeria, employers are required to provide several key benefits to their employees to ensure fair working conditions and support employee welfare.

1. Maternity Leave

Entitlement: Female employees are entitled to 12 weeks of maternity leave. This is typically divided into 6 weeks before the expected delivery date and 6 weeks after childbirth.
Compensation: Employers are required to pay a minimum of 50% of the employee's salary during maternity leave, provided the employee has met the minimum employment requirement of 6 months.

2. Paternity Leave

Standard Practice: Although paternity leave is not mandated by law in Nigeria, it is increasingly common for employers to offer 2 weeks of paid paternity leave. This leave is provided to support the second parent (typically the father or partner) after the birth or adoption of a child.

3. Sick Leave

Entitlement: Employees in Nigeria are entitled to 12 days of paid sick leave annually.
Compensation: Employers are required to provide full compensation for these 12 days of sick leave. Employees who are absent for more than 2 consecutive days must present a medical certificate to confirm their illness.

4. Travel Reimbursement

Requirement: If an employer requires an employee to travel a distance of more than 16 kilometers for work-related purposes, the employer is obligated to reimburse the employee for the travel costs incurred.