A professor of sociology at the University of Abuja, Magdalene Igbolo, has emphasized the critical role Nigeria’s
labour unions and civil society groups must play to secure lasting rights and protections for domestic workers in the country.
Her comments were part of a review of a recent study on domestic workers’ conditions in Nigeria, supported by the
Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for West Africa.
According to Igbolo, domestic workers are one of the most vulnerable categories in the Nigerian labour market,
largely due to the lack of legal protections under existing labour laws. She noted that many of these workers are
young and often brought into homes under informal arrangements, making them susceptible to exploitation and neglect.
“The Nigerian Labour Law does not sufficiently cover domestic work,” Igbolo observed. “This leaves a legal vacuum
that enables abuse, poor working conditions, and long-term disempowerment, especially for young female workers
who often lack access to basic rights and opportunities.”
You may also like: NLC Writes President Tinubu Seeking Redress for Board Exclusion
She further argued that many so-called domestic workers are brought in under the guise of being trained or educated,
often by wealthier relatives. This informal arrangement, though common, is rarely documented, leaving such workers
outside the scope of legal and institutional protection.
While some efforts have been made to push the issue before the National Assembly, Igbolo insisted that consistent
advocacy from organisations like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and key CSOs
such as FIWON and CEE-HOPE is essential to sustain pressure for legislative reforms.
Despite the current shortcomings, she remained optimistic. “The situation is not hopeless,” Igbolo said. “With unified
and sustained momentum from labour and rights groups, there’s a real chance to integrate domestic workers into Nigeria’s formal workforce and ensure their inclusion in the framework of decent work.”
