By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, has disclosed that the Fund is prioritising policies and programmes aimed at addressing the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), platform-based work and the expanding gig economy on Nigeria’s labour force.
Faleye made the disclosure while responding to questions following the presentation of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, at the General Assembly of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva.
In his address to the conference, Dingyadi advocated inclusive and human-centred AI policies that safeguard jobs and workers’ rights while leveraging technology’s transformative potential to promote economic growth and decent work.
Commending the minister’s intervention, Faleye described the presentation as a timely and comprehensive response to emerging workplace realities.
“I think it’s a very robust response, particularly as it deals with emerging issues in the workplace generally,” he said.
“Some of the key concerns within the labour ecosystem today include the treatment of platform workers, the gig economy and the impact of AI on labour and workers generally.”
According to him, AI has become an irreversible feature of modern economies, making it imperative for governments and institutions to understand its implications and develop appropriate responses.
“It is important that we recognise that AI is here to stay.
The more governments and institutions like ours understand its impact on workers and workplaces, the better positioned we are to develop relevant solutions,” Faleye stated.
The NSITF boss stressed the need for greater attention to platform workers and individuals operating within the gig economy, noting that traditional definitions of labour no longer adequately capture the realities of today’s workforce.
“Labour has traditionally been defined within the context of the formal workplace economy.
However, innovations now mean that people work from home, operate on digital platforms such as Uber and Bolt, and engage in other non-traditional forms of employment,” he explained.
He said the changing nature of work requires policymakers and institutions to develop new frameworks for assessing workers’ contributions and ensuring adequate protection for them.
Faleye further revealed that NSITF is exploring ways to extend workplace injury compensation and social insurance coverage to workers classified as independent contractors rather than formal employees.
“The core challenge is defining what constitutes a workplace within the platform workers’ ecosystem,” he said. “We must determine how best to engage them regarding contributions and how to provide compensation in cases of workplace injury.”
He noted that remote work presents unique challenges for workplace injury assessments, particularly in determining whether an injury is work-related or occurred outside the course of employment.
“For those working from home, at what point can we establish that an injury occurred in relation to work rather than some other activity? These are issues we are currently grappling with,” he added.
Faleye described stakeholder engagement and international dialogue as critical to finding lasting solutions, describing the International Labour Conference as a valuable platform for such discussions.
He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, saying the move demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to keeping pace with global technological advancements.
“We cannot afford to be left behind in the digital innovations that are transforming businesses and workplaces around the world,” he said.
He pointed to the increasing adoption of AI within Nigeria’s public service, noting that government institutions are already integrating artificial intelligence into service delivery and administrative processes.
“The Civil Service is becoming more embedded with AI, using the technology to improve service delivery, and I am confident that the system will continue to improve with experience and innovation,” Faleye said.
Platform workers are individuals who provide paid services through digital applications and online marketplaces, including ride-hailing, delivery and freelance platforms.
