By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Federal Government has directed all app-based transport, food delivery and logistics companies operating in Nigeria to provide health insurance coverage for workers operating on their platforms, tightening welfare obligations within the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
The directive, issued through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), mandates platform operators to ensure that independent contractors and self-employed workers enrolled on their platforms are covered under health insurance schemes in line with the NHIA Act 2022.
The move follows the September 2025 presidential directive on compulsory health insurance for all Nigerians and legal residents. It is expected to significantly expand social protection coverage for thousands of digital platform workers previously excluded from formal welfare systems.
In a notice addressed to app-based transport and logistics operators, the NHIA warned that compliance with health insurance obligations would now be a condition for obtaining licences, permits, and higher-level regulatory approvals.
The Authority stressed that failure by operators to provide health insurance coverage for workers and enrollees would amount to a violation of the NHIA Act 2022.
The notice, signed by Ajodi N.N., Director of the Formal Sector Department for the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of NHIA, stated that the initiative aimed to strengthen social protection mechanisms in Nigeria’s growing digital and gig economy.
The development comes amid increasing calls for stronger labour protections for platform workers, many of whom operate under informal arrangements and lack access to healthcare, pensions, or other social security benefits despite the risks associated with their jobs.
President of the African Forum for Restorative Justice, AFRJ, Prof. John Omale, described the initiative as a major step toward protecting workers in the food delivery, app-based transport and logistics sectors.
According to him, the programme, funded by the Balzan Foundation, aligns with international labour and human rights standards, including the International Labour Organisation Recommendation 198, the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Omale noted that Nigeria’s current labour framework does not adequately protect self-employed and informal workers engaged on digital platforms.
He explained that the initiative promotes a “shared responsibility model” that encourages regulators, platform operators, and communities to work together to improve workers’ welfare without relying solely on punitive enforcement measures.
“The initiative is aimed at creating a more humane and sustainable working environment for digital labour workers,” he said.
He added that government agencies, including the NHIA, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, National Pension Commission, Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, are expected to collaborate on enforcement through joint compliance mechanisms and stakeholder engagements.
According to him, the pilot phase will focus on developing Memoranda of Understanding between regulators and digital platform operators to facilitate the implementation of social protection policies and corporate social responsibility measures.
Omale further stated that closer cooperation between regulators and platform operators would help shape future labour legislation while protecting the interests of workers and businesses within Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment is expected to coordinate implementation of the policy framework beginning June 1, 2026, while technical consultations continue ahead of the rollout.
