A group, SimpliRide has concluded arrangements based on the recent directive by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) requiring e-hailing and logistics platforms to provide health insurance coverage for independent contractors and self-employed workers in Nigeria.

In addition to healthcare, SimpliRide will continue to strengthen safety measures across its platform through the introduction of enhanced rider identity verification processes and security protocols aimed at promoting accountability and reducing safety risks for drivers and passengers alike.

The Country Manager, Alero Fregene, in a release in Abuja, explained that the initiative is drawn from the renewed attention to the welfare and protection of thousands of drivers operating within Nigeria’s growing gig economy, and they have emerged as early champion to drive it amid New Health Insurance Mandate.

Fregene stated, the directive affects major digital platforms across the transportation and logistics sectors, forms part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to achieving universal health coverage to strengthen social protection for workers who traditionally fall outside formal employment structures.

“While many operators are now expecting to review their welfare frameworks to comply with the new requirements, industry stakeholders note that some platforms have already begun taking proactive steps toward improving driver welfare and safety,” he added.

The Country Manager noted, the firm, a Nigerian-owned e-hailing platform has increasingly gained recognition for placing driver welfare and platform safety at the center of its operations among others, while transportation analysts observe that access to affordable healthcare remains one of the most significant challenges facing gig workers.

According to him, the group has pursued initiatives aimed at improving the overall well-being of drivers on its platform, including efforts to facilitate access to healthcare support and other welfare-focused programmes designed to provide greater protection and peace of mind for drivers and their families.

He declared: unlike employees in traditional organizations, many e-hailing drivers often bear the full cost of medical expenses, making health insurance an important component of financial security and workforce sustainability.

“Emphasis on security aligns with increasing calls from drivers’ associations and stakeholders for stronger verification standards across Nigeria’s e-hailing ecosystem. Experts argue that robust identity validation systems are essential in building trust, improving incident response capabilities, and creating a safer environment for all users.”

The NHIA directive is widely regarded as a significant development for the industry, signalling a shift toward greater responsibility for worker welfare within the digital economy.”

He however maintained,as regulators place emphasis on healthcare access and social protection, we have already invested in welfare and safety initiatives that may adapt to the evolving landscape.

“Industry observers believe the development could accelerate the adoption of broader driver-support programmes across the sector, ultimately improving working conditions for thousands of Nigerians who rely on digital mobility platforms as their primary source of income.”

He further explained, as the e-hailing industry continues to mature, the combination of healthcare access, welfare support, and stronger security measures are increasingly being considered as a benchmark for responsible platform operations and long-term sustainability.