What are the Maternity Leave entitlements in Nigeria?

Maternity leave is an essential benefit provided to female employees in Nigeria, ensuring that they have adequate time to prepare for and recover from childbirth. Below is a detailed overview of the key aspects of maternity leave in Nigeria:


Duration of Maternity Leave

In Nigeria, female employees are entitled to a total of 12 weeks of maternity leave. This leave is typically divided into two segments:

  • Six weeks before the expected delivery date.
  • Six weeks after childbirth.


Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for maternity leave in Nigeria, employees must meet the following conditions:

  • The employee must have been employed by the company for a minimum of six months prior to the commencement of the leave.
  • A medical certificate confirming the pregnancy and stating the expected delivery date must be presented to the employer.


Salary During Maternity Leave

During the 12-week maternity leave period, employers are required to pay female employees at least 50% of their salary. This payment is mandatory provided that the employee meets the eligibility criteria mentioned above.

Additional Considerations

  • Employees should ensure that they provide their employer with the necessary medical documentation in a timely manner to avoid any delays or issues with the commencement of their maternity leave.

Was this article helpful?

That’s Great!

Thank you for your feedback

Sorry! We couldn't be helpful

Thank you for your feedback

Let us know how can we improve this article!

Select at least one of the reasons
CAPTCHA verification is required.

Feedback sent

We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article