If you are working in Nigeria or you are an employer, there are some rights and responsibilities that you should be aware of. 

These include several laws that guide how people should be treated in the workplace, and understanding them can help you avoid issues or even stand up for yourself when something’s not right.

Let’s look at them.

The Nigerian Constitution 

The Nigerian Constitution protects all Nigerians from discrimination at work.

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That means your gender, religion, tribe, or political views shouldn’t affect how you’re treated, paid, or promoted.

It also guarantees fair wages and decent working conditions.

The Labour Act

This is basically the go-to rulebook for most work-related matters. It covers contracts, pay, leave, work hours, and even how to properly end a job.

Employers are expected to provide a written contract within three months of hiring someone. And according to this Act, you can’t just fire someone without a proper reason.

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Employee Compensation Act

If someone gets injured or falls seriously ill because of work, this law ensures they’re compensated.

So if your job involves any level of risk, your employer should be registered under this Act and make sure you’re covered.

The Pension Reform Act

Everyone deserves to retire with something to fall back on. That’s where this law comes in. It requires employers to contribute to a pension scheme for their workers.

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If you’re working full-time, your employer should be making monthly contributions to your retirement savings.

Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

This one’s especially useful for companies that focus on training and upskilling staff. It allows employers to get some money back when they invest in staff training.

Basically, it encourages companies to help their workers grow.

Trade Unions and Disputes

Employees have the right to join unions and bargain collectively. If things go south, like when there are strikes or unresolved issues, they’re handled through proper channels, including the National Industrial Court.  

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Working Hours and Overtime

According to the Nigeria’s Labour Act, a standard working week should not exceed six days, and on the days you are working, you should not work more than eight hours.

These regulations are overseen by the National Industrial Court, which ensures that private-sector employers respect these regulations. If you work beyond that, especially weekends or holidays, you’re entitled to overtime pay. 

Leave Entitlements

Here’s what the law says an employee is entitled to:

• Annual Leave: At least 6 working days off after a full year of work.

• Maternity Leave: 12 weeks total (6 weeks before and 6 weeks after childbirth), with at least 50% pay.

• Sick Leave: Depends on your contract, but you should get paid time off when you’re genuinely ill.

• Public Holidays: You should be off work and still get paid.

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Termination

How long you’ve worked at a place determines how much notice your employer must give you:

• Less than 3 months: 1 day’s notice

• 3 months to 2 years: 1 week’s notice

• More than 2 years: 1 month’s notice 

If you’re being let go, it should be for a valid reason, and you must be paid any outstanding salary or entitlements.

Data Privacy

Thanks to the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), your personal information such as your bank details or medical records, shouldn’t be carelessly handled. Employers are expected to keep that information secure.

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A popular song by Teni says, “money can’t buy you happiness, money can’t buy you love…but I want all the money in the world.”

And we can’t help but agree because even though money can’t buy you happiness, it can help pay the bills especially in today’s Nigeria, where the economy keeps shifting and people are constantly on the lookout for better opportunities.

So, if you’re picking a course to study, planning a career switch, or just curious about which professions are bringing in the big bucks, here are some of the highest-paying professions in Nigeria as of 2025, according to MyJobMag.

1. Orthopedic Surgeons 

These are the professionals responsible for fixing broken bones, injured joints, and other musculoskeletal issues. It’s no surprise they top the list, becoming a specialist surgeon takes years of training and experience, but the pay is worth it.

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2. Cardiologists

Heart doctors are saving lives and cashing out at the same time. Cardiologists are in high demand, especially with the rise in lifestyle-related diseases. If you’re passionate about medicine and the human heart, this could be your path.

3. Pilots 

With more Nigerians traveling locally and internationally, airlines are actively hiring qualified pilots, especially those with international licenses and the pay is definitely up there.

4. Anesthesiologists 

These medical pros are the ones who make sure you don’t feel anything during surgery. They carry a lot of responsibility and are rightly paid for it. Like surgeons, they require advanced medical training.

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5. Tech (Solutions architects, developers etc)

Someone once said tech is the new oil and they are not so far from the truth. In the tech world, solutions architects and developers are raking in big bucks. 

6. Medical Doctors (General Practice) 

Even without specialization, general medical practitioners earn good money, especially in private hospitals or if they run their own clinics. The more experience and qualifications you have, the higher the paycheck.

7. Sailors 

Believe it or not, life on the sea pays well. Sailors, especially those working on international cargo ships, earn hefty salaries and often enjoy long vacations in between contracts.

8. Mechanical Engineers 

From oil companies to construction firms, mechanical engineers are essential in various industries. Their pay reflects the technical nature of their work.

Which of these do you see yourself in?

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Have you ever stopped to wonder why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand?

This is the usual practice with Western tradition and most of us grew up to see it done that way.

Well, if you have ever wondered, here is why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. 

The most popular explanation for this tradition can be traced back to ancient Rome.

During that time, the Romans believed that a special vein, called the vena amoris (Latin for “vein of love”), ran directly from the fourth finger on the left hand straight to the heart.

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This means that when you wear your wedding ring on this finger, there is a symbolic connection between the couple’s love and their heart, cute right? 

Well, while this might have started the tradition of wearing wedding rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, it is important to note that modern anatomy has since debunked the existence of this specific “love vein” because apparently, all our fingers have veins.

But this has not stopped the wedding ring tradition and couples still wear their wedding rings on that finger. 

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In addition to this, it is important to note that there are some practical reasons why the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

For right-handed people (who make up the majority of the world), wearing a ring on the left hand means it’s less likely to get damaged or interfere with daily tasks. It’s less dominant, less exposed, and therefore, safer.

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At the end of the day, it really comes down to every couple to choose whichever finger they want to wear their wedding rings and it’s not a compulsory rule.

Some couples these days even choose to buck this tradition and wear their rings on chains around their necks, tattooing ring fingers, or wearing them on the right hand based on religious or cultural preferences.

Others do not even wear rings at all. 

Well, now you know why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, are you going to follow this tradition?

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