Working Hours in Nigeria

The legal working week and day in Nigeria, how overtime is paid, which days are the weekend, normal office hours and the paid leave you are owed.

Working week 40 hours Working day 8 hours Overtime pay Agreed Weekend days Sat–Sun Business hours 8am–5pm Annual leave 6 days

Working week in Nigeria

40 hours

The Labour Act leaves normal hours to the contract or collective agreement. The federal public service works 40 hours, 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, and most private employers follow 40 to 45 hours.

Working day in Nigeria

8 hours

The usual day is 8 hours. Workers must get at least an hour’s break during a day of more than 6 hours.

Overtime pay in Nigeria

Agreed

The law requires overtime to be paid but leaves the rate to the contract or collective agreement, commonly 1.5 times the normal rate.

Weekend days in Nigeria

Sat–Sun

Saturday and Sunday are the weekend for offices, banks and government. Many markets and shops trade on Saturdays, and Friday hours are shorter in many northern states.

Business hours in Nigeria

8am–5pm

Government offices work 8am to 4pm and private offices usually 8am or 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Banks open about 8am to 4pm.

Annual leave in Nigeria

6 days

The Labour Act gives at least 6 working days of paid holiday after 12 months of service. Most employers give far more, usually 15 to 20 working days.

Checked 24 October 2026 against national labour laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you.

Working days in Nigeria 2026

Business days and working hours by month, after weekends and holidays.

Minimum wage in Nigeria

The hourly and monthly minimum, in local money and US dollars.

Nigerian public holidays 2026

Every holiday with its date and long weekends.