Stakeholders have called for stronger protection and safety measures for Nigeria’s app-based drivers to address victimisation, misclassification, and workplace harm.
They made this call through a statement on Wednesday, signed by the President of the African Forum for Restorative Justice, John Omole.
According to the statement, “Stakeholders have called for stronger protection and safety for Nigeria’s app-based drivers to address victimisation, misclassification, and workplace harm.”
He added that digital workers, especially the app-based drivers, deserve dignity, protection, and a voice, especially when they suffer harm while providing essential services through app-based platforms.
Omole noted that many victims had remained silent for years due to fear, weak protections, and unclear employment classifications within app-based platforms.
He stressed that restorative justice offered an alternative to punitive models by focusing on dialogue, healing, and shared responsibility among workers, platforms, and regulators.
According to him, ignoring harm suffered by workers dehumanises labour and weakens trust, ultimately affecting productivity and workplace harmony.
Omole said the forum was working with legal experts, peacebuilders, and platform representatives to develop a draft restorative framework for workplace application.
He added that the framework would serve as a guiding principle for digital labour relations and could be adapted by government institutions and private organisations.
Omole commended partners and researchers involved in the initiative, including the Digital Labour Workers Initiative, for advancing worker-centred policy conversations.
He expressed hope that outcomes of the summit would influence national labour policies and promote dignity, accountability, and humanity in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Also speaking, President, Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, Damola Adeniran, said the initiative aims to strengthen the voices of app-based transport workers across sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.
According to him, the platform workers face widespread misclassification arising from ambiguous contractual arrangements.
“Platform workers are largely misclassified through ambiguous contractual agreements that deny them labour rights, social protection, and access to effective grievance mechanisms.
“This misclassification creates insecurity, weakens accountability, and exposes drivers to violence, economic hardship, and unfair deactivation without due process,” he added.
Adeniran said the initiative promotes collaborative engagement among workers, regulators, labour inspectors, and digital platforms.
He said that restorative justice emphasises shared responsibility rather than blame or punishment.
He called for a regulatory framework anchored on social dialogue and African Union-level cooperation.
Representatives of major app-based platforms also addressed workers’ concerns. Ibrahim Madaki of Bolt assured stakeholders that all complaints would be conveyed and that the company’s legal department would ensure that necessary steps are taken to address the issues.
Also, representing InDrive, Adaeze Umahi, said that the plights of the drivers would be given due consideration.
“Your complaints are very important. I have listened to your testimonies and experiences, which are very touching, and I will bring them to management for review,” she said.