Informal workers under the aegis of the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria (FIWON) staged a protest at the National Assembly, demanding reforms of the pension and health sub-sectors.

The General Secretary of FIWON, Gbenga Komolafe, who led the protest, said over 93 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce operates outside formal employment and contributes an estimated 65 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He explained that such workers deserve social protection who are presently underserved.

Komolafe warned that the country risks deepening poverty, inequality, and insecurity if urgent steps are not taken to provide pension coverage, healthcare access, and workplace protection for informal workers.

He argued that Nigeria structurally neglects the majority of Nigeria’s working population, which includes market women, artisans, traders, domestic workers, and technicians.

He added that despite workers in the informal sector contributing hugely to Nigeria’s economy, they lack access to old-age security, which leaves many to face retirement without savings or institutional support.

He called for a government-backed matching pension scheme, which would complement contributions made under the micro-pension framework regulated by the National Pension Commission.

He noted that the voluntary nature of the scheme, combined with persistent inflationary pressures, has rendered it ineffective.

“Whatever is saved risks today becoming worthless in the next 10 to 15 years due to inflation. Without government support, the system cannot work for low-income earners,” he said.

While advocating state-supported health insurance contributions, Komolafe noted that most informal workers cannot afford premiums under existing Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) arrangements.

He disclosed that after two decades of the introduction of the health insurance scheme in Nigeria, coverage has remained below 10 per cent largely made up of workers in the formal sector.

To bridge the existing gap, Komolafe urged the government to introduce free and comprehensive healthcare for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, children under five, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

He argued that expanding access to maternal and child healthcare is critical to reducing Nigeria’s high rates of maternal and infant mortality.

Also, FIWON called for the introduction of a universal social pension for citizens aged 65 and above, particularly those who are unable to continue working due to old age.

Though Komolafe lauded the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), he faulted the exclusion of informal sector workers under the Employee Compensation Act 2010.

He lamented that many victims of occupational accidents are left without rehabilitation or compensation.

He urged the NSITF to expand its mandate to include informal workers through targeted occupational health and safety training, as well as access to compensation schemes.