Overtime and Break Laws in Nigeria (2026)
Labour Act, Cap L1, Laws of the Federation 2004 · Reviewed 2026-10 · Private-sector employees
Overtime
No statutory overtime premium or maximum hours. Normal hours and overtime pay are set by agreement, collective bargaining or a wages board.
Breaks and lunch
A worker at work 6 hours or more a day gets one or more rest intervals totaling at least 1 hour.
Overtime in Nigeria
The law sets no overtime premium of its own here. What overtime pays is up to the employment contract or the collective agreement.
- Hours beyond the agreed normal hours are overtime (s. 13(2)), but the Act sets no rate.
- If weekly rest is reduced, the worker gets time off within 14 days or overtime-rate pay (s. 13(7)).
- Collective agreements commonly set the rates.
Breaks and lunch in Nigeria
- Meal break: 1 × 60 minutes, unpaid, for shifts of 6 hours or more.
| Shift | Rest breaks | Meal break |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | None | None |
| 6 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 8 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 10 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
| 12 hours | None | 1 × 60 min, unpaid |
- A rest interval is fixed in advance and the worker is free to leave the workplace (s. 13(4)).
- A meal break at or near the worksite may replace the rest interval where unavoidable.
- Weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours in every 7 days (s. 13(7)).
Pay by Nigeria rules in Kloqk
Kloqk is a free time clock. In Settings, open Payroll, press Rules by country and pick Nigeria: the overtime and break rules above fill in, and every timesheet, report and payroll export follows them. Change any number to match your own contract.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the overtime rule in Nigeria?
No statutory overtime premium or maximum hours. Normal hours and overtime pay are set by agreement, collective bargaining or a wages board.
What breaks are required in Nigeria?
A worker at work 6 hours or more a day gets one or more rest intervals totaling at least 1 hour.