Women account for just 4% of ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria, highlighting a gender imbalance in one of the country’s fastest-growing segments of the gig economy, according to a new report by Bolt and Ipsos.
The report, which examines gig work across five African markets, found that men make up 96% of ride-hailing participants in Nigeria.
Ride-hailing has become a key entry point into Nigeria’s gig economy, which the report estimates is worth about $5.1 billion and supports roughly three million workers. Overall, gig work contributes around 2.8% to the country’s GDP.
Across sectors, ride-hailing accounts for the second largest share of gig work in Nigeria at 24%; however, eCommerce leads with 38%. Freelancing (19%), micro tasks (10%), and remote work (10%) are third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
According to the report, more Nigerians turn to platform-based work amid limited formal employment opportunities. It notes that over 90% of employed Nigerians are in informal work, with gig platforms offering a relatively accessible way to earn income quickly and flexibly.
For many participants, ride-hailing is more than a side hustle. Survey data shows that 64% of drivers said their standard of living improved significantly after joining the gig economy, while another 31% reported slight improvements.
Drivers cited financial independence, flexible working hours, and the ability to earn a daily income as key motivations for joining ride-hailing platforms.
However, ride-hailing drivers consistently run into disagreements with their different platforms. The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) have called for strike actions over the years.
On May 1 2025, they announced a strike action and even punished non-compliant divers with fake ride requests.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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While the gig may be providing a living wage for these drivers, the sector faces ongoing pressures. Rising fuel costs and inflation have increased operating expenses for drivers, while regulatory frameworks vary across states, shaping how platforms operate.
The report also points to increasing digitisation within the sector, with more than 85% of ride-hailing transactions in Nigeria now processed through cashless channels such as transfers, expanding drivers’ access to formal financial services.
While participation in ride-hailing appears to offer income opportunities for many Nigerians, the data suggests that women remain significantly under-represented in the sector, even as gig work becomes a more prominent feature of the country’s labour market.
