Successive development of social security laws in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examines the legislative strides of the Nigerian policy makers in the provision of social security for the citizenry from the colonial era up to the present time. In fashioning out the existing social security schemes in Nigeria, it has become necessary for some laws to either be amended or repealed. The paper discusses the progressive development of these laws and highlights the extent of their compliance with prescribed minimum international Standards. The paper argues that, though much legislative Intervention towards fulfilling the fundamental objective of section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution has been made, there are still some basic issues that need to be addressed in order to further expand the scope of social security provisioning. The paper concludes by proffering suggestions on how to consolidate on the extant laws in order to secure the much needed social safety net to the generality of the Nigerian citizenry.