The federal government has announced a nationwide plan to extend social protection to more than sixty million Nigerians working in the informal sector, marking one of the largest inclusion drives yet for workers operating outside formal employment systems. The announcement was made during a national dialogue in Abuja, convened to explore practical pathways for integrating informal economy workers into health, pension, and welfare safety nets. The meeting brought together government agencies, labour and employer groups, development partners and social security institutions, all aligned on the urgency of cushioning vulnerable workers against economic shocks.
Authorities said the government is working closely with social protection bodies to deploy technology-enabled mobile health insurance and micro-pension schemes tailored to workers in markets, farms, transport hubs, small workshops, and other informal clusters. The initiative focuses on individuals who currently operate without access to health coverage, injury protection, pension plans, or income-support mechanisms. Officials noted that most of these workers contribute significantly to Nigeria’s domestic production, trade, and local economies, yet remain exposed to medical emergencies, accidents, and livelihood disruptions that could force them into poverty. The new model aims to make enrollment faster and more flexible through mobile platforms that remove paperwork and enable daily or weekly contributions.
The Programmes are already underway, including the expansion of the National Health Insurance Authority and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund to serve informal workers without formal job entry requirements. The micro-pension scheme, driven in collaboration with pension regulators and data agencies, is expected to deepen long-term savings culture by allowing low-income earners to contribute small amounts at scale. Pilot community insurance models are being tested with development partners across regions to identify workable implementation designs that can scale nationwide. Government officials emphasised that technology will play a central role in capturing worker data, processing claims, monitoring contributions and ensuring transparency so beneficiaries trust the system.
Speakers at the dialogue described social protection as both an economic necessity and a fundamental right. They highlighted reports showing that more than eighty percent of Nigerians lack adequate protection, with the most excluded groups found within the informal economy. Stakeholders argued that ensuring coverage for those who power markets, transportation, agriculture, and micro-enterprises would improve productivity, reduce inequality, and strengthen social cohesion. Quotes from development partners emphasised that legal coverage expansion, sustainable financing, and strong regulatory frameworks remain essential to building a universal protection architecture.
Government ministries involved in poverty reduction efforts noted that informal workers often deal with unstable income, limited access to credit, and high vulnerability to price volatility and sudden disruptions. The dialogue was described as a chance to design practical solutions that translate into action rather than reports. Officials insisted that discussions must lead to clearly defined targets, financing plans, and implementation frameworks that reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda on poverty reduction.
Representatives from organised private sector associations expressed readiness to collaborate with the government to extend coverage through established trade groups and cooperatives that connect directly to artisans, traders, transporters, and craftsmen. They added that working through known associations will help expand safety nets efficiently without lowering service quality for informal workers.
For MSMEs, traders, and small business owners who form Nigeria’s economic backbone, this social protection push holds promise for cushioning business risks, keeping families stable during emergencies, and improving resilience against shocks that frequently wipe out capital. If successfully implemented, mobile-based insurance and pension systems could help millions operate more confidently, plan long-term savings, and remain productive contributors to national growth.
