A Nigerian e-hailing drivers' union, the Association of Uber, Bolt and Other Network Drivers (AUATON), is urging the Federal Government to ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 193, adopted in June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The convention, formally known as the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, sets international standards for gig economy workers, including proper employment classification, fair pay, and transparency in algorithmic management. AUATON's Founding Secretary, Comrade Ayoade Ibrahim, signed a letter addressed to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment calling for immediate action. The union stresses that while Nigeria supported the convention's adoption, ratification is required for it to take legal effect in the country. Over 2.5 million Nigerians earn a living through digital labour platforms, contributing significantly to the national economy, yet many face income instability, lack of social benefits, and unsafe working conditions. The convention's provisions would require platform companies to stop classifying drivers solely as independent contractors if their work is controlled by the app's systems. It also mandates that workers have access to how algorithms affect their operations and the right to challenge automated decisions that impact their livelihoods. AUATON argues that ratification would position Nigeria as a leader in workers' rights across Africa and align national labour laws with technological and economic shifts. "Above all, ratification would send a clear and powerful message that the Government of Nigeria values the contributions of platform workers and is committed to upholding their rights, protections, and dignity," the union stated. The convention includes seven core requirements, with worker classification and algorithmic transparency being central. Without domestication into Nigerian law, the treaty remains non-binding. The union warns that delay undermines the dignity and economic security of millions dependent on platform work.
The union's call exposes a gap between Nigeria's international labour commitments and its domestic enforcement. Over 2.5 million platform workers operate without the legal recognition the ILO framework promises. If algorithms control work conditions, classifying drivers as independent contractors contradicts their actual working reality. Nigeria's ratification would not create new rights but finally acknowledge existing ones.
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