The Rise of Algorithmic Bosses: Rethinking Workers' Rights in Nigeria's Digital Economy

Abstract

The digital transformation of Nigeria’s labour market has redefined traditional employment relationships, especially with the rise of gig platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and various food delivery services. At the heart of this transformation lies algorithmic management, where software, rather than human supervisors, dictates critical decisions about work assignments, pay, and performance.

This article critically examines the adequacy of Nigeria’s existing employment law framework in addressing the unique challenges posed by this form of technologically mediated labour. It contends that the current binary classification of workers as either employees or independent contractors is ill-suited to the realities of platform work, which often combines elements of both. Arguing for a more nuanced legal approach, the paper proposes a hybrid framework that introduces an intermediate status for digital workers, expands core labour protections, and ensures algorithmic transparency. Ultimately, it calls for a rethinking of employment rights that aligns with the imperatives of human dignity, fairness, and social justice in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.