A new nationwide gig economy report has revealed that limited formal employment opportunities and continued reliance on informal work is pushing many Nigerians towards digital platforms to quickly generate income and adapt to economic uncertainty.
The gig economy is a labour market characterised by short-term, flexible, project-based work, often facilitated by digital platforms.
This shift is because Nigeria’s labour market remains overwhelmingly informal, with over 92 per cent of employed Nigerians working outside formal wage structures, reinforcing the importance of flexible earning opportunities across the economy.
The study, which was commissioned by Bolt and conducted by Ipsos, revealed that flexible platform work is becoming an increasingly important pathway for income participation in Nigeria’s evolving labour market.
Among gig economy sectors, ride-hailing accounts for 24 per cent of participation, making it one of the most accessible entry points into platform-enabled work.
The findings also show that participation in ride-hailing is not short-term for gig participants.
Nearly six in 10 participants (59 per cent) remain active for more than one year, suggesting that the sector plays a sustained role in income generation rather than serving only as temporary work.
Youth employment trends are also shaping participation in the gig economy space. While national unemployment has declined to 2.99 per cent, youth unemployment remains significantly higher at 5.05 per cent, encouraging more young Nigerians to explore platform-enabled earning opportunities alongside education, entrepreneurship and migration planning.
The report further highlights the broader economic contribution of the sector, estimating Nigeria’s gig economy at over $5.17 billion in market size, with platform work contributing approximately 2.8 per cent of national GDP.
Importantly, participation in the gig economy is associated with improved living conditions for many workers. According to the study, 64 per cent of respondents reported significant improvement in their standard of living, while an additional 31 per cent reported slight improvement after joining platform-based work.
Meanwhile, the study also identifies opportunities to improve participation across underrepresented groups, noting that women currently account for just three per cent of ride-hailing participants, highlighting the potential for greater gender inclusion in the sector.
Commenting on the findings, Senior General Manager, West Africa at Bolt, Teddy Appa-Dankyi, said: “Flexible earning opportunities are becoming an essential part of how many Nigerians earn today. This report shows that ride-hailing is not just about mobility, it is helping people diversify income, manage financial uncertainty, and participate more actively in the digital economy.”
Also, Head of Regulatory and Policy, Africa at Bolt, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, said: “As flexible earning opportunities become more common across Africa, there is an opportunity for policymakers, platforms and stakeholders to work together to ensure the gig economy continues to expand access to opportunity while remaining sustainable and inclusive.”