Nigeria: Contract of Employment

The tension between protecting an employer's trade secrets and an employee's right to earn a livelihood lies at the heart of restraint-of-trade disputes in Nigeria. This article examines how Nigerian courts balance these competing interests when enforcing non-compete clauses, analyzing the landmark Koumoulis decision, recent National Industrial Court jurisprudence, and the statutory framework introduced by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.

In the legal profession, maintaining confidentiality in the course of practice is not just a principle, it is a daily ethical conduct. This is not unconnected to the sensitivity of the legal sector and the fact that legal practitioners and paralegals handle sensitive information of clients which carries significant implications if exposed or leaked. Ethically, client information is expected to be kept confidential, hence the attorney-client privilege serving as the legal pillar underpinning that obligation.

An employment reference is an in-depth document or letter that is typically provided by a previous employer or supervisor. It offers invaluable and detailed insight into a professional's work performance, skills, abilities, and suitability for a new job role. Employment reference is a powerful tool for employers to verify the information provided by candidates and make informed hiring decisions. It ensures whatever the candidate has mentioned in their resume is true, and their past employer can back that information.

On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court of Nigeria (the “Supreme Court”) delivered a landmark decision in the case of Emma Elegbe & Anor v. HP International Schools Limited & 3 Ors...

The Supreme Court of Nigeria (the 'Court') has resolved the controversy created by conflicting judicial pronouncements on the extent of the jurisdiction...

In today's increasingly competitive business environment, many organisations are under pressure to reduce operational costs and improve financial efficiency. One area that has come under scrutiny is employee benefits...

This case review offers some evaluation of the court's reasoning in Shell Petroleum Development Company Ltd v. Minister of Petroleum Resources in light of constitutional and administrative law principles.

An employment relationship is founded upon a contract between the person or body (called the employer) who seeks to retain the services of another (called the employee) effectively putting the employee under their payroll.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria's decision in Skye Bank Plc v. Adegun marks a significant shift from the traditional principles governing quantum of damages for wrongful termination or dismissal in private employment...