Concern over disregard of Nigerian labour laws by foreign firms

Concern has been raised over the alleged exploitation of Nigerians by foreign companies operating in the country. These companies are accused of neglecting basic workers’ rights and flouting labour laws with impunity.

A guest speaker at the ceremony to mark the 2024/2025 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) held in Abuja, Olusegun Adeniyi while highlighting the many ongoing labour law violations in the country, stressed that labour justice aims to address power imbalances between employers and workers, and to promote the dignity of labour.

Adeniyi pointed out that despite the existence of legal frameworks designed to protect workers, many employees suffering from work-related injuries or illnesses receive little or no compensation.

He said: “Such violations erode the very fabric of labour justice, which aims to ensure fair treatment, adequate compensation, and safe working conditions.”
He added that the recently renegotiated national minimum wage has already been deemed insufficient because it fails to cover even the most basic household expenses, such as food staples like rice.

According to him, this revelation has been exacerbated by the dire conditions in the informal sector, which employs over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce and remains largely excluded from labour protections.

He noted that the informal sector’s workers—many of whom are farmers, traders, and small business owners—are increasingly turning to grassroots advocacy platforms for help.

Adeniyi noted that many countries have devised creative ways by which workers in the informal sector could access justice, especially when in distress, adding that there is no reason Nigeria should not learn from them.

He attributed the casualisation of workers by oil companies and banks to the weak laws and lack of enforcement. He warned that stakeholders must understand that a system that ensures labour justice also fosters cohesion.