AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
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The short answer
A Ghana company has three realistic routes: hire through an employer of record (EOR) that is the legal employer in Nigeria, set up its own Nigerian entity and run payroll there, or engage people as contractors where the work truly is independent. Whichever employer runs the payroll must deduct PAYE and remit it by the 10th of the following month, and pay at least 18% of monthly emoluments into a pension account (10% employer, 8% employee) within seven working days of paying salaries.
Hiring in Lagos or Abuja is often the obvious next step for a Ghana business that sells into Nigeria. The hard part is not finding people; it is paying them properly. Nigerian payroll law applies to people working in Nigeria, and a company in Accra cannot simply send salaries across and stop there.
The three routes
| Route | Who is the legal employer | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer of record | The EOR's Nigerian entity | One to a handful of staff, testing the market | Monthly fee per employee; you depend on the EOR's compliance |
| Nigerian subsidiary | Your own Nigerian company | A team that will grow, or local sales and contracts | CAC registration, tax registration, annual filings |
| Contractors | No employer; a business-to-business contract | Independent specialists who set their own hours | Misclassification if they work like employees |
Our related guide on using an employer of record for Nigeria goes deeper on choosing one. For contractors, see paying contractors in Nigeria from a Ghana business.
What the Nigerian payroll must do
Whoever is the employer in Nigeria, the obligations are the same. PwC's Nigeria summary, reviewed in May 2026, says employers remit PAYE on or before the 10th of the month after salaries are paid, and file an annual return of all emoluments by 31 January. Income tax on individuals is collected by the "relevant State Internal Revenue" service; PwC does not define which state is relevant, so confirm it with your payroll provider or adviser for each employee.
On pensions, PenCom's 2023 FAQ says the contributory scheme covers private organisations with three or more employees. The minimum is 18% of monthly emoluments, 10% from the employer and 8% from the employee, and the employer must remit within seven working days of paying salaries. Late remittance carries a penalty of at least 2% of the unpaid contributions, on top of the contributions themselves. Our Nigeria library explains pension contributions in Nigeria in more detail.
- Paying in dollars or cedis? DLA Piper's August 2026 payroll FAQ says foreign-currency pay is converted to naira at the CBN rate at the time of payment, and that converted figure is used for PAYE and other deductions.
- Failure to deduct or remit. The same FAQ lists a penalty of 40% for failing to deduct, 10% plus interest for failing to remit, and ₦100,000 for the first month of late filing.
- National Housing Fund. DLA Piper says employers should stop NHF deductions unless the employee has explicitly consented.
Employer of record: what you are paying for
An EOR employs your staff through its own Nigerian entity, runs the payroll and remits PAYE and pension, and invoices your Ghana company for the salary cost plus its fee. Prices vary by provider. As one published example, Remote's pricing page on 24 October 2026 listed employer of record services from US$599 per employee per month; other providers publish their own rates. Ask any EOR for its Nigerian payroll calendar, how it handles pension remittance and how it reports to you each month.
Your own Nigerian entity
With a subsidiary, the Nigerian company is the employer, registers for tax with the state where staff live, opens pension arrangements with a licensed PFA, and runs payroll from a naira account. The Ghana parent funds it, usually through share capital, a loan or intercompany service charges. Those flows between related companies bring in transfer pricing, so the funding route needs to be chosen with that in mind. Registration in Nigeria is covered in our Nigeria library guide to registering a private limited company.
Tax exposure for the Ghana company itself
Having people in Nigeria can also raise a question about the Ghana company's own taxable presence there, particularly if those people negotiate or sign contracts. There is no Ghana-Nigeria double tax treaty in force: PwC's Nigeria page lists the Ghana treaty as ratified in Nigeria but not by Ghana, so only each country's domestic rules apply. Our guide on permanent establishment between Ghana and Nigeria explains the concept. This is information, not tax advice; take advice before your first hire.
A worked example
Example only: an employee in Lagos earns monthly emoluments of ₦1,000,000. The employer adds 10% (₦100,000) to the pension account and deducts 8% (₦80,000) from pay, a total of ₦180,000, remitted within seven working days of salary. PAYE is calculated on the taxable pay after the pension deduction and remitted to the state by the 10th of the next month. If the salary is set in US dollars, it is first converted to naira at the CBN rate on the payment date.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Business Account holds naira, dollars, pounds and euros with account details for each, which suits a Ghana company funding Nigerian salaries. Payroll and the Finance agent prepare the run and the remittance reminders; a person approves before money moves.
Questions people ask
Can a Ghana company employ someone in Nigeria directly?
It can sign a contract, but someone must still run Nigerian PAYE and pension. Most foreign companies use an employer of record or set up a Nigerian entity to do that.
When is PAYE due in Nigeria?
PwC's Nigeria summary says by the 10th of the month after salaries are paid, with an annual return of emoluments by 31 January.
Do I have to pay pension for Nigerian staff?
PenCom's FAQ says the scheme covers private organisations with three or more employees: at least 10% from the employer and 8% from the employee, remitted within seven working days of salary.
Can I pay Nigerian staff in dollars?
You can agree a dollar salary, but DLA Piper notes it is converted to naira at the CBN rate for PAYE and other deductions.
Sources
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Nigeria, individual tax administration (reviewed 29 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PenCom: Frequently asked questions, 2023 edition · accessed Oct 2026
- DLA Piper Africa: FAQs on payroll taxes and employer liability in Nigeria (28 Aug 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- Remote: pricing page (viewed 24 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Nigeria, withholding taxes (reviewed 29 May 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.