Beyond Profit: Navigating Fairness in Lagos Gig Work

Gig work in Lagos, Nigeria, has been on an upward trend due to high unemployment rates and multi-dimensional poverty, to which gig work emerged as a pivotal solution with accessible entry points, minimal investment in infrastructure and equipment, flexibility and autonomy. However, autonomy, flexibility, and low entry barriers lead to uncertain schedules, limited benefits, and a lack of job security for workers. Fairness in gig work demands that workers be respected and treated in a way that reflects dignity of labour and enhances their growth and potentials while maintaining high ethical standards. In the dynamic landscape of gig work in Lagos, Nigeria, this chapter takes the reader on a journey centred on the gig worker’s perspectives, experiences, voices, narratives, and work complexities. It probes deep into the realities inherent in Lagos gig work and presents recommendations from the gig workers highlighting solutions and measures to foster fairness and dignity in the gig economy. We expect that this amplification of the voices of gig workers who are pivotal in shaping the evolving landscape of work in Lagos, Nigeria, will contribute to the global discourse on fair work.