The changing trend in employment law in Nigeria is seen in a clear attempt to depart from the strict observance of common law principles and the adoption of international labour standards.

Today, there is a subtle revolution, brought about by the changing needs in the society, a growing trade and commerce frontier, and an expanding scope of employment which traverses beyond the prior master and servant type of employment to include other types such as casual employment, co-employment, outsourcing, zero-hours employment, to mention a few.

The exclusive jurisdiction conferred on the National Industrial Court of Nigeria to adjudicate on Labour/Employment Law matters is one of the high points of this subtle revolution, having been entrenched in the Constitution. This has led to decisions which have developed Labour/Employment Law as well as improved the standards for employer/employee relationships in Nigeria.

The above was the extract of the speech delivered by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Olufunke Anuwe, Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria while speaking at the symposium organized by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries Administrators of Nigeria [ICSAN] held at the Pyramid Art Centre, Abuja.

The theme of the symposium “The changing landscape in Immigration law, Employment issues and Ease of doing business in Nigeria”, as it affects employment issues.

Justice Anuwe dissected the topic on the employment angle based on the various employment statutes, laws and Rules relevant to the employment of persons in Nigeria in line with the present trends.

His Lordship made it known that National Industrial Court possesses certain fluid features that make it slightly different from other courts that its informality is peculiar to it alone and evident in the Rules of Court which are user-friendly for equity and Justice.

On the immigration law as it affects business, the erudite jurist enjoined non-Nigerians whether as individuals or foreign companies that may do business in Nigeria to ensure they complied with the relevant law of the land as it relates to employment status.

His lordship further recommended that before a business begins to hire its first employees, it should get expert advice on how best to structure its employment process to ensure that the business is operating within the ambit of the law.