Abstract
The right to collective bargaining constitutes a fundamental mechanism for regulating
employment relations, promoting industrial democracy, and maintaining industrial peace.
The paper adopted doctrinal research method, by way of examination and analysis of
primary and secondary authorities. The paper also undertook a critical examination of the
collective bargaining regimes of South Africa and the United Kingdom. The paper found that
Nigeria possesses an appreciable legal and institutional framework for collective bargaining,
but that the framework does not sufficiently guarantee its effective implementation and
enforcement. The paper further found that the absence of an express constitutional guarantee
of collective bargaining, weaknesses in statutory provisions, inadequate enforcement of
collective agreements, government interference, employer resistance, casualisation and
outsourcing, among other forms of precarious employment, constitute significant
impediments to effective collective bargaining. The paper concluded that these challenges
have contributed to recurrent industrial disputes and prolonged implementation of negotiated
agreements, with adverse consequences for workers’ welfare and industrial stability. The
paper recommended constitutional and legislative strengthening of the right to collective
bargaining. It also recommended for the establishment of clear and effective institutional
mechanisms for monitoring compliance with collective agreements and their enforcement.