NSITF targets AI impact on Gig Workers, Platform Economy

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund), Barr. Oluwaseun Faleye, has said the institution is prioritising the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on workers, particularly those in the platform and gig economy.

Faleye spoke while responding to comments made by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, at the General Assembly of the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

The minister had earlier called for inclusive, human-centred AI policies that protect jobs and workers’ rights while maximising the benefits of emerging technologies for economic growth and decent work.

Commending the minister’s position, Faleye said AI has become an irreversible feature of the modern workplace, warning that institutions must evolve quickly to address its implications.

“I think it’s a very robust response, particularly as it deals with emerging issues in the place of work generally… AI is here to stay, and the more governments and institutions like ours understand the implications of AI on workers, the more we are able to engage on relevant solutions,” he said.

He noted that the traditional definition of employment is being challenged by digital work models, where many Nigerians now earn income through platforms such as Uber, Bolt and various freelance marketplaces.

According to him, these changes raise urgent questions about how such workers are classified, protected and compensated under existing labour frameworks.

“You know that traditionally, labour has been defined within the context of formal workplace economy, but recent innovations now entail people working from home, people working on platforms like Uber and Bolt, etc,” he said.

Faleye explained that the NSITF is currently exploring how to integrate platform workers into its compensation and workplace injury protection systems, noting that the issue of defining “workplace” in a digital environment remains a key challenge.

He said discussions with stakeholders are necessary to determine when injuries occur in relation to work, especially for remote and independent contractors.

The NSITF boss also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting digital innovation through the creation of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, describing it as critical to keeping Nigeria aligned with global technological trends.

He added that artificial intelligence is already being integrated into public service operations, including within the civil service, to improve efficiency and service delivery.