THE GIG ECONOMY AND LABOUR PRECARITY IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE FINTECH SECTOR
The study interrogates the nexus between gig work and labour precarity in Nigeria. It is based largely on the conviction that while there has been a growing body of work on the gig or platform economy, much of the efforts have been anchored on theoretical insights rather than thorough-going empirical investigations. The dearth of such empirical studies of the gig economy is especially prevalent in the global South particularly in Africa despite the strong emergence of gig work in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. Therefore, the study would respond to the above lapses through a case study of the fintech sector. Theoretically, it would be anchored on the modernity perspective and economic sociology viewpoint on labour precarity while adopting a triangulated methodology anchored on unstructured interviews, observations, and documentary data. The study at the end would inter alia yield two articles and a monograph.
Research Results
The study depending on documents and in-depth interviews examined the connection between gig work and labour precarity in the fintech sector in Nigeria. The major findings include:
- The respondents did not out rightly describe their employment as precarious but some expressed discontentment with the job. In effect, 70% did not describe themselves as engaged in precarious employment.
- Most of the respondents saw gig work as negatively affecting sociability of those involved. An outcome produced by factors ranging from lack of time, addiction to internet to relying on social media for sociability.
- The findings in the above regard showed that platform work due to its nature especially the lack of separation between work and privacy affects the psychological and social balance of workers.
- Female respondents have a better perception of their jobs and work experience than the males. However, the study discovered that the fintech sector is predominantly occupied by males.
- Policy Dialogue with Fintech employers and key stakeholders in Nigeria at Citiheight Hotel, Ikeja Lagos (December 3, 2024).
- First crude draft of book manuscript titled, “The Gig Economy and Labour Precarity in the South: Evidence from Nigeria”.
Main Research Topics
- Industrial/Labour Sociology
- Development Studies
- Social Conflict (Resources Conflict; Terrorism in Africa)
- Globalization and Africa;
- Social Dimensions of Climate Change
Curriculum Vitae
- Director, Education Innovation Unit, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria (2012 -2016)
- Chairman, Faculty of Social Sciences Research Grants Committee, University of Nigeria (2014 – 2016)
- Director of Research, African Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI), University of Nigeria, (Project sponsored by the Open Society Foundation) (2014 – 2016)
- Chairman, Committee on the Development of Handbooks and Literature for Academic Departments and Units, University of Nigeria (2012 – 2014)
- Head/Chair, Department of Sociology/Anthropology, University of Nigeria (August 2013 – 2016)
Publications and Presentations
- Anugwom, E.E (2020). Development in Nigeria: Promise on Hold. Routledge
- Anugwom, E.E (2014). “Between Slavery and Colonial Forced Labour in West Africa: Conception, Nexus and Research Agenda”. Paper presented at the Workshop on Colonial Forced Labour in Africa, Accra and Ho Ghana; Organised by Re-Work Network, Free University Berlin (20 – 24 January 2014)
- Anugwom, E.E (2011). “Wetin We for Do? Women Entrepreneurs and the Niger Delta Conflict in Nigeria”. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (JSBE), Vol. 24, No. 2:
49 – 56 - Anugwom, E.E (2007). “Stuck in the Middle: Women, ICTs and the Struggle for Survival in the Oil Degraded Niger Delta Environment, Nigeria”. AGENDA, Issue 72:58 – 68
- Anugwom, E.E (2007). “Globalization and Labour Utilization in Nigeria: evidence from the construction industry”. Africa Development, Vol.XXXII No. 2: 113 – 138