The Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON) has called on the Federal Government to ensure the inclusion of informal sector workers in the ongoing review of the National Social Protection Policy (NSPP).
Speaking in Abuja, FIWON’s General Secretary, Mr.Gbenga Komolafe, said the review must prioritise millions of Nigerians who earn their livelihoods from the informal sector but currently lack access to basic social protection schemes.
Komolafe explained that FIWON had been engaging with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment—particularly the Department of Social Security—to advocate for the inclusion of informal workers in the revised policy.
“Our engagements with the government have focused mainly on how to extend social protection to workers in the informal economy because it is a key component of the decent work agenda,” he said.
According to him, the ongoing social protection project by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, funded by the European Union, provides a valuable opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen the inclusiveness of its policy framework.
He revealed that a national dialogue scheduled for 12 November, to be facilitated by the ILO and the Ministry of Labour, would bring together key stakeholders to ensure that informal workers are adequately represented in the new framework.
Komolafe lamented that informal workers were excluded from the earlier version of the policy despite their critical role in Nigeria’s economy.
“The first social protection policy had about 14 programmes, but none directly addressed the needs of people in the informal economy, who form the majority of Nigeria’s workforce,” he said.
He emphasised that informal workers deserve access to essential welfare benefits such as pensions, maternity and disability schemes, and old-age support, regardless of their income level or employment type.
“These are basic minimums—old-age care, maternity support for women, and disability support for those unable to work due to accident, illness, or ageing,” he added.
Komolafe also disclosed that FIWON had recently completed a national survey on the Micro Pension Plan (MPP), introduced in 2018 to provide retirement support for informal workers.
He urged the government to co-fund the scheme and ensure contributors’ funds are protected to encourage wider participation and sustain the programme for low-income earners.
