The Federal Government has moved to enforce compulsory health insurance coverage for workers in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding gig economy, directing app-based transport, food delivery and logistics companies to ensure that workers operating on their platforms are enrolled in health insurance schemes.
The directive, issued by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and dated May 15, 2026, forms part of broader efforts to implement mandatory health insurance coverage for all Nigerians and legal residents under the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022.
According to the notice addressed to operators in the app-based transport and logistics sectors, all digital platforms engaging independent contractors and self-employed workers must provide access to health insurance coverage for those operating under their systems.
“The NHIA, in line with the mandate of the NHIA Act, hereby issues a notification to all location-based platforms within the food delivery, app-based transport and logistics sectors to ensure all independent contractors and self-employed persons working on platforms have access to health insurance coverage,” the directive stated.
The notice was signed by Ajodi N.N., Director of the Formal Sector Department, on behalf of the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA.
Under the new enforcement push, compliance with health insurance obligations will become a critical requirement for obtaining operational licences, permits and regulatory approvals.
The NHIA warned that failure by platform operators or workers to comply with the provisions of the Act would constitute a violation of the NHIA Act 2022, which legally established compulsory health insurance for every Nigerian citizen and legal resident.
The development marks a major policy shift for Nigeria’s gig economy, a sector that has witnessed rapid growth in recent years due to rising unemployment, increasing urbanisation and the widespread adoption of digital platforms for transportation and delivery services.
Thousands of Nigerians currently work as ride-hailing drivers, dispatch riders and food delivery agents for companies such as Uber, Bolt and various logistics startups.
However, most of these workers operate as independent contractors rather than formal employees, leaving them outside traditional employer-backed healthcare and social protection systems.
The absence of structured welfare protection for gig workers has long generated concerns among labour advocates, especially as many operators in the sector personally shoulder healthcare expenses despite facing occupational risks, long working hours and economic uncertainty.
Industry observers say the Federal Government’s latest directive reflects growing recognition of the need to regulate welfare standards within Nigeria’s digital labour market as the gig economy becomes an increasingly important source of employment.
The NHIA Act, signed into law in 2022, replaced the former National Health Insurance Scheme framework and significantly expanded government efforts toward achieving Universal Health Coverage across the country.
READ ALSO: NHIA Sets One-Hour Maximum Waiting Time for Health Insurance Patients
The law mandates health insurance for all Nigerians while also requiring state governments to establish functional state health insurance schemes to improve access to healthcare services nationwide.
Despite the legal framework, Nigeria continues to face low health insurance penetration, with millions of citizens still depending largely on out-of-pocket spending to access medical treatment.
Healthcare experts have repeatedly warned that the country’s heavy reliance on personal healthcare financing leaves many households vulnerable to financial hardship during medical emergencies.
The latest move by the Federal Government is therefore expected to increase formal health insurance enrollment among informal and semi-formal workers, particularly within the technology-driven transport and logistics ecosystem.
Analysts also believe the directive could intensify ongoing debates about the employment classification of gig workers in Nigeria, especially concerning labour rights, workplace protections, pensions and broader social security benefits.
As enforcement begins, operators in the sector may face increased pressure to adjust their operational structures and welfare policies to comply with the new health insurance obligations.