Election Comes Amidst Historic Transition in Nigeria’s Transport Union
In a significant development within Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has been elected as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The election took place on Saturday at the NURTW Zonal Secretariat along Osogbo/Ikirun Road, with delegates from Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti states in attendance. Akinsanya, formerly the Lagos State NURTW Chairman, emerged as the sole candidate for the position, marking a new chapter for the union, which has long been a cornerstone in Nigeria’s public transport landscape.
The election was part of NURTW’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference, overseen by acting National President Aliyu Issa-Ore. According to Issa-Ore, the union’s constitution allows each zone the autonomy to elect its representative for the national president’s role, which is then approved by the NURTW national body. He expressed satisfaction with the Southwest zone’s adherence to this protocol, as confirmed by Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance at the NURTW National Headquarters in Abuja.
Founded in 1978, NURTW represents non-state actors in Nigeria’s road transport sector, managing union activities among commercial drivers and transport operators. Known for its extensive influence, particularly in urban areas, NURTW has played a vital role in supporting drivers’ welfare while sometimes drawing controversy over its methods and members’ public activities. Its chapters in major states, including Lagos, have substantial economic influence, overseeing daily operations in transport parks and serving as a powerful voice within the informal economy.
Akinsanya’s rise to national leadership comes amid a backdrop of both admiration and scepticism. His tenure as the Lagos State NURTW Chairman, marked by close ties to political circles, has been contentious at times. His influence grew even stronger after the 2022 reorganisation of the Lagos chapter into the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee, following a government decision to limit the NURTW’s power in the state. While some praise Akinsanya for his contributions to the transport sector, others remain cautious, citing occasional incidents and disputes within the union under his previous leadership. Nevertheless, Akinsanya’s reputation has given him a broad support base among members, and he has expressed a strong commitment to uniting the union.
After his swearing-in, Akinsanya extended an olive branch, urging reconciliation among union members and pledging to prevent any actions that might undermine the union’s stability or the livelihood of its members. “This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it,” he stated, emphasising peace and unity as priorities for his administration.
Alongside Akinsanya, Tajudeen Agbede was elected as Vice President, Southwest, with Akeem Adeosun appointed as Trustee. As MC Oluomo steps into this national role, the NURTW, which remains a significant force in Nigeria’s labour and economic landscape, faces an era defined by the challenges of union unity and modernisation in the transport sector.
