Echoes of Colonialism: Implications of Wrongful Dismissal Judgements in Nigeria and Canada

In general, wrongful dismissal is a word most employers try to avoid, and to the employee an employer action against them in the form of wrongful dismissal can be a nightmare. This thesis examines the legacy of wrongful dismissal in two countries as reflected in the common law of both countries, This is done by closely analyzing written decisions by trial judges in Canada and Nigeria where employees have alleged wrongful dismissal by their employers and these complaints have been taken to court. The findings show that employers in Nigeria are given considerably more latitude by judges than those employers in Canada to wrongfully dismiss their employees. One reason for this greater latitude for employers in wrongly dismissing their employees in Nigeria than in Canada is the colonial history of each country... .