Nigeria offers access to a workforce with a 79.5% labour force participation rate, one of Africa's highest engagement levels. The services sector contributes 58.04% to national GDP, while Lagos' Yabacon Valley has emerged as the focal point for technology startups across the continent. With 53% of Nigerian companies prioritizing digital skills, the market presents substantial opportunity for global organizations seeking technical talent.
An Employer of Record (EOR) service acts as the legal employer for your Nigerian workforce, eliminating the need to establish a local entity. Nigeria requires employers to contribute a minimum of 10% to the pension fund, 1% to the Industrial Training Fund, and 1% to the Employee Compensation Scheme. The Labour Act mandates at least six working days annual leave and up to 12 days paid sick leave. EOR providers handle payroll processing, statutory contributions, tax withholding, benefits administration, and contract compliance—allowing you to hire within days rather than months. This guide evaluates 13 employer of record services in Nigeria.
Why Use an Employer of Record in Nigeria?
Nigeria's economy grew 2.98% year-on-year in Q1 2024, while capital importation reached $3.37 billion—a 198.06% increase from the prior year—signaling renewed investor confidence. The country produces approximately 600,000 university graduates annually, creating a deep talent pool for roles spanning technology, finance, and operations. English serves as the official language for business and government, reducing communication barriers for international teams. Nigeria's ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area positions companies operating here to access a market of 1.3 billion consumers across 54 countries. An EOR enables you to capture these advantages without navigating complex entity registration, multi-layered tax obligations, or sector-specific requirements like the Oil & Gas local content quotas.
Our Picks for the 13 Best EOR Companies in Nigeria
Borderless AI
Borderless AI is the world's first AI-powered Employer of Record platform, built to simplify international hiring through automation and intelligent compliance management. The platform operates across 170+ countries and delivers rapid onboarding, consolidated payroll administration, and real-time compliance monitoring for organizations expanding into Nigeria.
Why Use Borderless AI for EOR in Nigeria
Borderless AI combines direct entity ownership with AI-driven processes to accelerate Nigerian hiring timelines while ensuring full compliance with local labor regulations. Their platform enables organizations to onboard Nigerian employees in 1-2 days, process payroll in five business days, and access automated tax management that adapts to Nigerian employment requirements in real-time.
Key Benefits and Features
- AI-powered compliance monitoring with real-time updates to Nigerian labor law changes
- Instant contract generation tailored to Nigerian employment regulations
- Five-day payroll processing across all countries including Nigeria
- Direct entity ownership ensuring control over the employment experience
- Automated benefits administration aligned with Nigerian market standards
Price: $579/employee/month
Country Coverage: 170+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.9/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Borderless AI manages comprehensive payroll and tax administration, handles onboarding workflows specific to Nigerian requirements, and administers local benefits packages compliant with Nigerian employment law. The platform uses AI agents to monitor regulatory changes and automatically update compliance procedures.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 days
Platform Experience: The platform provides a unified dashboard that consolidates payroll management, compliance tracking, and benefits administration across all countries. Setup typically takes 2-3 weeks with guided implementation support.
Customer Support: Support via dedicated customer success management throughout the employment lifecycle, with a focus on compliance and operational efficiency.
Pros & Cons
Horizons
Horizons provides EOR services designed for speed and operational efficiency. The company operates in 180+ countries and emphasizes rapid contract generation and streamlined payroll processing for Nigerian employment relationships.
Why Use Horizons for EOR in Nigeria
Horizons enables organizations to generate Nigerian labor contracts in approximately 10 minutes and provides integrated payroll processing through both platform and mobile application interfaces. Their service assumes full responsibility for Nigerian tax withholding and ensures all employment contracts comply with local labor law requirements.
Key Benefits and Features
- Labour contract generation in approximately 10 minutes
- Platform and mobile app access for payroll management
- Nigerian tax withholding management
- Local labour-law compliant contract templates
Price: $299/employee/month
Country Coverage: 180+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Free Trial: No
Legal & Compliance: Horizons takes responsibility for Nigerian tax withholding, generates local labour-law compliant contracts, and manages compliance requirements specific to Nigerian employment regulations.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 days
Platform Experience: Platform and app interface focused on speed with streamlined workflows for contract generation and payroll processing.
Customer Support: Support via global network with local-country handling implied for Nigerian employment matters.
Pros & Cons
Safeguard Global
Safeguard Global offers comprehensive EOR services with emphasis on deep compliance expertise and validated contract frameworks. The company operates in 170+ countries with established processes for managing Nigerian employment relationships.
Why Use Safeguard Global for EOR in Nigeria
Safeguard Global provides extensive local HR and contract expertise specifically for Nigerian employment, managing mandatory benefits and employer contributions in accordance with Nigerian law. Their established infrastructure includes local points of contact and comprehensive support throughout the onboarding process.
Key Benefits and Features
- Writes and validates local employment contracts for Nigeria
- Manages payroll and benefits specific to Nigerian requirements
- Deep compliance expertise in Nigerian employment law
- Local HR and contract expertise
Price: From $499/employee/month
Country Coverage: 170+
G2 Rating: 4.3/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Safeguard Global provides deep compliance support including local HR and contract expertise, mandatory benefits administration, and management of employer contributions in Nigeria.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Platform integrated with global HR infrastructure providing comprehensive employment management capabilities.
Customer Support: Local point of contact assigned during onboarding with support line access included in the onboarding process.
Pros & Cons
Africa HR Solutions
Africa HR Solutions specializes in pan-African employment services with specific expertise in Nigerian labor law and benefits administration. The company focuses exclusively on African markets, operating in 46+ African countries.
Why Use Africa HR Solutions for EOR in Nigeria
Africa HR Solutions provides specialized African market knowledge with particular strength in Nigerian employment requirements. Their service includes free life insurance for employees and pan-African health insurance options, combined with deep experience in African labour law and benefits structures.
Key Benefits and Features
- Free life insurance for employees
- Pan-African health insurance options
- Specialized Nigerian labour law expertise
- Africa-focused support team
Price: Custom pricing
Country Coverage: 46+ African countries
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Africa HR Solutions supports hiring without entity setup with deep experience in African labour law and benefits administration specific to Nigerian requirements.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Service and platform combination with focus on African market requirements, though detailed UX information is limited.
Customer Support: Support via Africa-focused team trusted by 400+ international clients with regional expertise.
Pros & Cons
Native Teams
Native Teams provides EOR services through a comprehensive HR dashboard that manages employment contracts, global payroll, and benefits administration. The platform operates in 85+ countries with particular attention to startup and enterprise needs.
Why Use Native Teams for EOR in Nigeria
Native Teams offers budget-friendly pricing combined with a comprehensive HR dashboard for managing Nigerian employees. The platform assumes legal entity responsibilities in Nigeria, handling all contracts, taxes, and compliance requirements while providing tailored plans suitable for both startups and enterprises.
Key Benefits and Features
- Full HR dashboard for employment management
- Employment contracts tailored to Nigerian requirements
- Global payroll processing including Nigeria
- Benefits administration options
Price: $99/employee/month
Country Coverage: 85+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.9/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Native Teams assumes legal entity responsibilities in Nigeria, handling all contracts, taxes, and compliance requirements on behalf of the client organization.
Onboarding Speed: 3-5 days
Platform Experience: Dashboard interface providing HR documentation management and global payroll perspective with consolidated view of all employees.
Customer Support: Support via global team with tailored plans for startups and enterprise clients requiring different service levels.
Pros & Cons
Mercans
Mercans operates as a service-oriented EOR provider with detailed compliance documentation and process expertise across 160+ countries. The company emphasizes educational resources and comprehensive process guidance for Nigerian employment.
Why Use Mercans for EOR in Nigeria
Mercans provides detailed compliance articles and process documentation specifically for Nigerian employment, with typical onboarding completed within two weeks. Their service-oriented approach includes global presence combined with cited local experts who understand Nigerian employment requirements and regulatory environment.
Key Benefits and Features
- Detailed compliance articles for Nigerian employment
- Comprehensive payroll and benefits management
- Process-oriented onboarding approach
- Local experts cited for Nigerian market
Price: Custom
Country Coverage: 160+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.8/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Mercans provides comprehensive compliance support with typical Nigerian onboarding completed within two weeks, including detailed process documentation.
Onboarding Speed: 5-7 days
Platform Experience: More service-oriented approach with comprehensive process overview and educational resources rather than platform-first focus.
Customer Support: Global presence with local experts cited for country-specific knowledge and support requirements.
Pros & Cons
Multiplier
Multiplier provides end-to-end EOR solutions encompassing contract drafting, payroll, benefits, and compliance management across 150+ countries. The platform emphasizes regulatory expertise and transparent service delivery for Nigerian employment.
Why Use Multiplier for EOR in Nigeria
Multiplier delivers comprehensive Nigerian employment services with emphasis on regulatory expertise and cost transparency. Their platform enables rapid onboarding of Nigerian employees within 1-3 days while maintaining full compliance with Nigerian employment regulations and providing clear visibility into all service components.
Key Benefits and Features
- End-to-end contract drafting for Nigerian employment
- Comprehensive payroll management
- Benefits administration aligned with Nigerian requirements
- Regulatory expertise with transparent cost structure
Price: $400/employee/month
Country Coverage: 150+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.7/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Multiplier emphasizes regulatory expertise with transparency in cost and service scope specifically for Nigerian employment relationships.
Onboarding Speed: 1-3 days
Platform Experience: Platform designed for global HR and payroll management with Nigeria included in comprehensive country coverage.
Customer Support: Combined global and local team approach with narrowing service focus on core employment needs.
Pros & Cons
EOR Partners
EOR Partners offers service-centric EOR solutions focused on hiring in Nigeria without entity setup. The company provides payroll, compliance, and HR outsourcing with emphasis on bespoke service delivery.
Why Use EOR Partners for EOR in Nigeria
EOR Partners provides customized service delivery for Nigerian employment without requiring local entity establishment. Their approach focuses on handling employment contracts, payroll processing, and compliance management through direct service relationships rather than standardized platform offerings, suitable for organizations requiring tailored employment solutions.
Key Benefits and Features
- Focused on Nigerian hiring without entity setup
- Payroll processing for Nigerian employees
- Compliance management via EOR model
- HR outsourcing capabilities
Price: Custom
Country Coverage: Global, with a focus on Israel
G2 Rating: Not listed
Free Trial: No
Legal & Compliance: EOR Partners handles employment contracts, payroll, and compliance for Nigeria via traditional EOR model with service-oriented delivery.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Service-centric approach with less emphasis on SaaS platform capabilities.
Customer Support: Support via contact form with likely bespoke service delivery tailored to specific client requirements.
Pros & Cons
Acvian
Acvian provides EOR services across 180+ countries with emphasis on cost transparency through free calculator tools. The platform supports Nigerian hiring and payroll with compliance management included.
Why Use Acvian for EOR in Nigeria
Acvian offers cost calculator tools enabling organizations to estimate Nigerian employment expenses before commitment. Their service supports hiring and payroll in Nigeria without requiring entity establishment, with expert consultation available to develop tailored quotes aligned with specific organizational requirements.
Key Benefits and Features
- Free cost-calculator tool for Nigerian employees
- Support with hiring processes
- Payroll management for Nigeria
- Expert consultation for tailored quotes
Price: Custom pricing
Country Coverage: 180+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.8/5
Free Trial: No
Legal & Compliance: Acvian focuses on payroll and employment in Nigeria without entity requirement with compliance management implied in service delivery.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Platform includes cost calculator with less detailed information about overall UX and interface design.
Customer Support: Support via expert meeting with tailored quote development based on specific organizational needs.
Pros & Cons
Remote
Remote operates as a platform-oriented EOR provider delivering global HR SaaS capabilities across 170+ countries. The company provides comprehensive Nigerian country guides and transparent cost structures for employment services.
Why Use Remote for EOR in Nigeria
Remote provides comprehensive Nigeria-specific country guides covering contracts, taxation, and payroll cycles with transparent cost disclosure. Their platform enables rapid onboarding within 1-2 days while offering free trial access, making it accessible for organizations evaluating EOR solutions for Nigerian hiring.
Key Benefits and Features
- Nigeria country-guide with detailed information
- Contract templates for Nigerian employment
- Taxation and payroll cycle management
- Platform-oriented global HR SaaS approach
Price: $599/employee/month
Country Coverage: 170+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Free Trial: Yes
Legal & Compliance: Remote provides Nigeria country-guide covering contracts, taxation, and payroll cycles with comprehensive compliance support.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 days
Platform Experience: Platform oriented with global HR SaaS style interface providing consolidated employment management.
Customer Support: Support via global structure with local country guide providing Nigeria-specific information and guidance.
Pros & Cons
Velocity Global (Pebl)
Velocity Global (operating as Pebl) provides enterprise-grade EOR services through their Global Work Platform across 185+ countries. The company emphasizes comprehensive Nigerian labour law documentation and enterprise service standards.
Why Use Velocity Global (Pebl) for EOR in Nigeria
Velocity Global provides extensive country-specific content about Nigerian labour law including written contract requirements, wage rules, and leave entitlements. Their enterprise-grade service delivers comprehensive support for complex Nigerian employment relationships backed by global service standards and platform capabilities designed for larger organizational needs.
Key Benefits and Features
- Global Work Platform for employment management
- Comprehensive Nigerian labour law documentation
- Payroll and tax processing for Nigeria
- Benefits administration aligned with Nigerian requirements
Price: Custom (est. $500+/employee)
Country Coverage: 185+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.6/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Velocity Global provides country-specific content about Nigerian labour law including written contract requirements, wage rules, and leave entitlements.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Platform combined with enterprise service focus providing comprehensive employment management capabilities.
Customer Support: Enterprise grade support with global service standards ensuring consistent quality across all countries including Nigeria.
Pros & Cons
Papaya Global
Papaya Global delivers EOR services with strong platform and analytics orientation across 160+ countries. The company provides detailed Nigerian compliance expertise including pension contribution and mandatory health insurance requirements.
Why Use Papaya Global for EOR in Nigeria
Papaya Global addresses Nigeria-specific requirements including the 10% pension contribution mandate and mandatory health insurance under the National Health Insurance Authority Bill. Their platform combines deep local law compliance with analytics capabilities enabling organizations to quickly hire Nigerian talent while maintaining full regulatory adherence.
Key Benefits and Features
- Addresses Nigeria's 10% pension contribution requirement
- Mandatory health insurance compliance management
- Platform with strong analytics orientation
- Quick hiring process for Nigerian talent
Price: $599/employee/month
Country Coverage: 160+ countries
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
Free Trial: Demo
Legal & Compliance: Papaya Global provides deep local law compliance including management of mandatory health insurance under the National Health Insurance Authority Bill 2022 and pension contributions.
Onboarding Speed: 3-5 days
Platform Experience: Strong platform with analytics orientation providing detailed insights into employment costs and compliance status.
Customer Support: Combined global and local support with emphasis on compliance guidance and analytics-driven insights.
Pros & Cons
Breedj
Breedj specializes in African market EOR services with flexible engagement models including both remote contractor and traditional EOR options. The company operates across 50+ African countries with specific Nigerian market focus.
Why Use Breedj for EOR in Nigeria
Breedj offers flexible engagement models suitable for smaller companies requiring Nigerian employment services. Their platform emphasises compliance with Nigerian labour law including termination rules and local benefits administration, providing accessible entry points for organizations expanding into the Nigerian market with budget-conscious solutions.
Key Benefits and Features
- Remote/contractor and EOR model options
- Flexible solutions for smaller companies
- Nigerian labour law compliance emphasis
- Termination rules and local benefits expertise
Price: From 390€/employee/month
Country Coverage: 50+ African countries
G2 Rating: Not listed
Free Trial: Not specified
Legal & Compliance: Breedj emphasises compliance with Nigerian labour law including termination rules and local benefits administration.
Onboarding Speed: 1-2 weeks
Platform Experience: Platform-light approach with service-oriented delivery focused on essential employment functions.
Customer Support: Tailored support with less large-scale infrastructure compared to global providers.
Pros & Cons
Selection Criteria and Methodology
Our evaluation of employer of record services for Nigeria followed a rigorous, data-driven methodology to ensure objective comparisons. Each provider was assessed against standardized criteria that directly impact the quality and effectiveness of international employment services.
- Price: We evaluated both transparent and custom pricing models, analyzing the value proposition relative to features offered. Pricing ranged from $99/employee/month to $599/employee/month for transparent providers, with several offering custom pricing requiring consultation.
- Country Coverage: Global reach was assessed to determine each provider's ability to support multi-country expansion beyond Nigeria. Coverage ranged from 46+ countries for regional specialists to 185+ countries for global providers.
- Key Features: We analyzed the breadth and depth of EOR capabilities, including contract generation speed, payroll processing, benefits administration, and Nigeria-specific services such as pension contribution management and mandatory health insurance compliance.
- G2 Rating: User reviews provided critical insights into real-world performance, with ratings ranging from 4.3/5 to 4.9/5 among providers with listed ratings. This metric reflects actual customer satisfaction and platform reliability.
- Legal & Compliance: Compliance expertise was evaluated based on stated capabilities for Nigerian employment law, tax withholding, mandatory benefits administration, and local HR expertise. Providers demonstrating deep Nigerian regulatory knowledge received priority.
- Onboarding Speed: Time-to-productivity was measured from commitment to employee start date, ranging from 1-2 days for fastest providers to 1-2 weeks for service-oriented approaches. Faster onboarding enables organizations to secure talent before competitors.
- Platform Experience: User interface quality, dashboard design, automation, and ease of use were assessed to determine operational efficiency and administrative ease.
- Customer Support: Support quality was evaluated based on availability, expertise, local market knowledge, and responsiveness, from dedicated account managers to general contact channels.
This methodology prioritizes objective, verifiable data points while acknowledging that organizational needs vary. Organizations should align provider capabilities with their specific hiring timelines, compliance requirements, and budget constraints to select the best fit.
Expert Tips for Hiring in Nigeria
- Verify Nigerian Labour Law Compliance: Ensure your chosen EOR demonstrates specific expertise in Nigerian employment regulations, including mandatory pension contributions (10%), health insurance requirements, and statutory leave entitlements. Request documentation of local entity status and compliance records.
- Assess Currency and Payment Options: Confirm how your EOR handles Naira payments, currency fluctuations, and exchange rates. Clarify whether salaries are paid in Naira or USD equivalents, and understand any associated costs or mechanisms.
- Benefits Administration Capabilities: Nigerian employment mandates health insurance, pension contributions, and leave entitlements. Verify your provider manages these benefits effectively and offers additional options to attract talent.
- Speed of Contract Generation: Rapid contract creation (within 24-48 hours) with validated templates aligned to Nigerian law is critical to securing talent quickly in competitive markets.
- Local Support and Expertise: Access to Nigerian employment law experts, local HR support, and compliance updates helps prevent legal issues and employment disputes.
How to Choose the Best EOR Company
Choosing the right EOR provider for Nigeria involves a structured evaluation process:
- Define Your Hiring Goals: Determine the number of employees, hiring timeline, and whether this is a short-term test or long-term expansion. Rapid onboarding needs may prioritize providers with 1-2 day setup.
- Set Your Budget: Establish your per-employee budget and decide if you prefer transparent pricing or are open to custom quotes. Balance cost with required features and compliance capabilities.
- Assess Geographic Coverage: If expansion beyond Nigeria is planned, select providers with broader multi-country support. Regional specialists excel within Africa, while global providers support worldwide growth.
- Evaluate Compliance and Local Expertise: Confirm the provider’s Nigerian legal knowledge, including pension, health insurance, and employment law adherence. Request evidence of local entity registration if applicable.
- Review Onboarding Timelines: Match provider speed with your hiring urgency. Faster onboarding (1-2 days) enables quick talent acquisition, while longer timelines (1-2 weeks) may suit planned projects.
- Test Platform Usability: Request demos to evaluate dashboards, automation, employee self-service, and reporting features. Ease of use reduces administrative burden.
- Support and Customer Service: Ensure access to local Nigerian experts, dedicated account managers, and responsive support channels to handle issues promptly.
- Check User Reviews and References: G2 ratings and customer references reveal real-world satisfaction and reliability.
- Review Contract Terms: Clarify contract length, termination clauses, and additional fees for services like visa sponsorship or benefits upgrades to avoid surprises.
Why Choose Borderless AI in Nigeria as an EOR Provider
Borderless AI stands out in Nigeria’s EOR landscape through its AI-powered automation, which accelerates onboarding, payroll, and compliance processes while maintaining rigorous adherence to Nigerian employment laws. Its unique features include:
- Exceptional G2 Rating: 4.9/5, reflecting high customer satisfaction and platform reliability.
- Rapid Onboarding: Employees can be onboarded in 1-2 days, enabling swift market entry.
- Fast Payroll Processing: Payroll is processed within five business days, improving cash flow and employee satisfaction.
- AI-Driven Compliance: Real-time monitoring of Nigerian labor law changes reduces legal risks.
- Transparent Pricing: $579 per employee per month covers comprehensive services without hidden fees.
- Direct Entity Ownership: The platform owns legal entities in Nigeria, ensuring control and quick issue resolution.
- Unified Dashboard: Consolidates payroll, compliance, and benefits management across all countries, simplifying administration.
- Dedicated Support: Clients receive ongoing support from Nigerian market experts and customer success teams.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right EOR provider for Nigerian operations is a strategic decision impacting talent acquisition, compliance, and scalability. The evaluated providers vary significantly in pricing, onboarding speed, compliance expertise, and support quality. Prioritizing your organization’s specific needs—whether rapid onboarding, deep local compliance, or broad international coverage—will guide you to the best partner. Leveraging data-driven criteria such as G2 ratings, transparent pricing, and verified compliance capabilities minimizes risks and positions your organization for successful Nigerian market entry. The rise of AI-powered EOR platforms is transforming traditional administrative burdens into strategic advantages, enabling faster hiring and more reliable compliance.
Ready to streamline your Nigeria hiring process? Book a demo to see how the right EOR partner can accelerate your growth.
