Employer Liability for Workplace Sexual Harassment in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between International Standards and Domestic Law

Authors: E.E DERIE DOI Crossref 10.66694/siar.gjsslr20262002

Affiliation: Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Corresponding Author: [email protected]

May 8, 2026

SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review

Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20089981

Employer Liability for Workplace Sexual Harassment in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between International Standards and Domestic Law

Review Article Social Sciences

Abstract

Workplace sexual harassment represents a pervasive violation of human dignity, equality, and labour rights across jurisdictions. In Nigeria, despite increasing recognition of the problem, the legal framework governing employer liability remains fragmented, underdeveloped, and largely reactive. This article undertakes a comprehensive examination of employer liability for workplace sexual harassment under Nigerian law, identifying critical deficiencies in the doctrines of vicarious liability, employer duty of care, and preventive obligations. It argues that the absence of a coherent statutory framework significantly undermines effective protection for victims and weakens institutional accountability. Through a comparative analysis of the United States and South Africa, the article highlights best practices that emphasise proactive employer responsibility and structured liability regimes. Drawing from international labour standards, including emerging global norms on workplace violence and harassment, the article proposes a robust legal reform agenda aimed at harmonising Nigeria’s domestic framework with international best practices. It concludes that meaningful protection against workplace sexual harassment in Nigeria requires a paradigm shift from reactive adjudication to proactive regulatory enforcement grounded in clear statutory obligations.

Keywords

Employer, Liability, Sexual Harassment, Workplace, International Standard

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E.E DERIE DOI Crossref 10.66694/siar.gjsslr20262002 (2026). Employer Liability for Workplace Sexual Harassment in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between International Standards and Domestic Law. SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review, Vol. 2, No. 2. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20089981

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Employer Liability for Workplace Sexual Harassment in Nigeria: Bridging the Gap Between International Standards and Domestic Law

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