The Federal Government has launched a renewed push to extend social protection to more than 60 million Nigerians in the informal economy, declaring that Nigeria would not be able to build a just, equitable or resilient country when such a large portion of her workforce was left vulnerable.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Dingyadi who made the declaration at the 2 day National Dialogue on Extending Social Protection to the Informal Economy on Tuesday in Abuja, said millions of Nigerians who work daily in markets, on roadsides, farms, workshops, and in homes remain without protection, despite powering the bulk of the nation’s economy.

He said: “I can see young people who live daily in markets, farms, roadside and workshops across our nation, often without protection, voice or recognition

“Today, we write a new chapter in our collective journey to give dignity, inclusion and social protection to the over 60 million Nigerians who make up our informal economy.”

Dingyadi noted that more than 65 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce operates outside formal systems, leaving traders, farmers, transport workers, artisans, vulcanisers, tailors, domestic workers and caregivers without pensions, health insurance, maternity protection or workplace injury compensation.

“A single illness can drive a family into poverty. An accident at work can leave a breadwinner helpless. Women must choose between health and work because maternity protection is absent..Social protection is not charity. It is a human right.”

The minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recognises the obligation to provide safety nets for all citizens, especially the vulnerable, adding that the government was already expanding contributory schemes under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Micro Pension Plan.

He also listed pilot schemes with the ILO, UNICEF and the World Bank, along with efforts to formalise micro businesses and strengthen labour inspections in informal clusters.

Dingyadi stressed that the dialogue must produce “a national framework” with time-bound targets for expanding coverage and financing, as well as collaboration across federal, state and local governments, cooperatives, labour unions, civil society, fintechs and development partners.

“We are standing at the crossroads of history. We can choose to perpetuate systems that leave millions in the shadow, or we can build bridges from informality to inclusion. Let this dialogue be remembered as the spark that ignited a movement towards a Nigeria where every hand that labours is protected by the state.”

The Director ILO Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Libera, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Dr. Vanessa Phala who commended the initiative, however warned that 85.2 per cent of Nigerians still lack access to social protection.

“Social protection is a human right and a social and economic necessity. It reduces poverty, exclusion and inequality while enhancing political stability. Many informal workers are among those who have no access or are only partially protected.

“This is where the majority of Nigeria’s workforce are employed and many of these workers face serious gaps in their working conditions, including lack of social security. In fact, many of these workers are among the 85.2% of the Nigerian population who have no access to social protection, while many others are only partially protected.

“Therefore, the aim of this dialogue is to ensure robust and comprehensive discussions with critical stakeholders who will propose solutions to issues that affect this group of workers the most.

Represented by Shailendra Kumar Jha, she reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in extending legal coverage, removing administrative barriers, improving financing mechanisms, and strengthening compliance and incentives for formalisation.

“Extending social protection coverage to informal economy workers requires a comprehensive strategy to overcome the various barriers to coverage. In most cases, a combination of different measures will be necessary to address these barriers effectively, equitably and sustainably

“Through its international labour standards on social security, the ILO is committed to supporting Nigeria in achieving its priority of extending social protection to the informal economy.”

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha who was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Igbinosun, said the dialogue aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s commitment to ensure no worker is left behind.

“This is not just another policy meeting, it is a national conversation about inclusion, dignity and fairness. This Dialogue gives us a unique opportunity to deepen collaboration, strengthen policy direction and chart actionable pathways toward inclusive and sustainable social protection.”

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) represented by Mr. Thompson Akpabio, also pledged support, calling for attention to Nigeria’s distinct economic realities.

“We are going to work with the Ministry and stakeholders. We must note the peculiarity of Nigeria and our geographical zones as we design policies that guide all social partners.”

He highlighted NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NEW) and SME programmes, saying such platforms could complement government efforts if backed by strong policy outcomes from the dialogue.
The two-day national dialogue is expected to produce actionable frameworks, financing strategies, and mechanisms for monitoring the extension of social protection to informal workers across the country.