Laws in Nigeria ranging from the (abolished)Exchange Control Act of 1962 to the Nigerian Investments Promotion Commission Decree of 1995 have controlled the legal environment for investors in Nigeria.

Between the acts of 1962 and 1995 there have been numerous acts or decrees such as, the Banking Act of 1968, the Companies Act of 1968, and the Enterprise Promotion Acts of 1972 and 1977.

In Nigeria it is common to interchange the terms "Acts" and "Decrees". Acts are laws that are drafted during civillian regimes while decrees are drafted during military regimes.

Relevant acts or decrees that affect the investor include:

• The Lagos Stock Exchange Act of 1961
• Government and Other Securities (Local Trustee Powers)
• The Trustee Investments Act of 1962

• The Securities and Exchange Commission Decree of 1989
• The Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1977
• The Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1964
• The Insurance Decree of 1976 (Section 18 (2) Extracts)
• Regulations governing investments of pensions and provident funds in Nigeria:
  • Income Tax Management Act, 1961, Section 17 (1)
  • Income Tax Management Act, 1961, Section 17(f) -Fourth Schedule
  • Retirement benefit schemes
• Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), 1995
• Companies and Allied Matters Decree, 1990