The Federal Government has begun moves to enforce mandatory health insurance coverage for workers in Nigeria’s growing gig economy, including drivers and riders operating on digital platforms such as Uber, Bolt, Glovo and Chowdeck.
As part of the implementation process for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Directive 2026, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has opened consultations with state authorities and regulatory agencies on enforcement measures targeting operators in the app-based transport, food delivery and logistics sectors.
Under the directive, digital platform operators are expected to ensure that self-employed workers and independent contractors using their platforms are enrolled in mandatory health insurance schemes.
Findings showed that the government was also considering making the NHIA compliance certificate a compulsory requirement for operational licensing and registration renewal for app-based transport, food delivery and logistics companies across the country.
In one of the letters issued by the ministry, the government stated that “a general stakeholders meeting will take place to provide platform operators with relevant information on how to acquire the NHIA Compliance Certificate by enrolling under the state social insurance scheme and to give a directive on enforcement and compliance.”
Government officials are currently engaging state authorities and regulators on how the federal directive would align with existing state regulations and operational frameworks guiding e-hailing, delivery and logistics businesses.
Sources familiar with the discussions disclosed that talks were also focusing on the inclusion of the NHIA compliance certificate among the mandatory conditions for obtaining operational permits and renewing licences for digital platforms.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment said the initiative was part of broader efforts to deepen social protection and improve healthcare access for workers in the informal and digital economy sectors.
The implementation process followed recommendations developed by a co-design team comprising government agencies, labour actors and civil society organisations after a series of engagements held between 2025 and 2026.
