Stakeholders Demand Stronger Protection for Nigeria’s App-Based Drivers

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital transport sector have called for enhanced safety measures and stronger legal protections for app-based drivers, citing concerns over victimisation, misclassification and workplace harm.

The call was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the President of the African Forum for Restorative Justice, John Omole.

According to the statement, digital workers, particularly ride-hailing drivers, deserve dignity, adequate protection and a voice when they experience harm while delivering essential services through app-based platforms.

Omole noted that many affected workers have remained silent for years due to fear of retaliation, weak institutional safeguards and unclear employment classifications under digital platforms. He said the absence of clear protections has left drivers vulnerable and without effective channels for redress.

He advocated the adoption of restorative justice as an alternative approach to resolving workplace disputes.

According to him, the model prioritises dialogue, healing and shared responsibility among workers, platform operators and regulators rather than punitive measures.

He warned that ignoring harm suffered by workers undermines trust, dehumanises labour and negatively affects productivity and workplace harmony.

Omole disclosed that the forum is collaborating with legal practitioners, peacebuilding experts and representatives of digital platforms to develop a draft restorative framework tailored for workplace use. He explained that the framework is intended to guide labour relations within the digital economy and could be adapted by both government agencies and private sector organisations.

He also commended partners and researchers supporting the initiative, including the Digital Labour Workers Initiative, for promoting worker-centred policy discussions.

He expressed optimism that the outcomes of the engagement would shape national labour policies and advance dignity, accountability and fairness in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

Also speaking, the President of the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Damola Adeniran, said the initiative seeks to amplify the voices of app-based transport workers across sub-Saharan Africa, with particular focus on Nigeria.

According to him, many platform workers are misclassified due to ambiguous contractual agreements that deny them labour rights, social protection and access to effective grievance mechanisms.

He said the situation has created insecurity, weakened accountability and exposed drivers to violence, financial instability and arbitrary deactivation without due process.

Adeniran explained that the initiative encourages collaboration among workers, regulators, labour inspectors and digital platform companies. He reiterated that restorative justice promotes shared responsibility instead of blame, and called for a regulatory framework built on social dialogue and cooperation at the level of the African Union.

Representatives of major ride-hailing platforms responded to the concerns raised by drivers. Ibrahim Madaki of Bolt assured stakeholders that the complaints would be communicated to the company’s management and legal department for appropriate action.

Similarly, Adaeze Umahi, who represented InDrive, said the concerns expressed by drivers would receive due attention and be presented to the company’s management for review.