
The Immediate past President General of Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has assured transport workers across Africa of the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) commitment to enhancing workers’ welfare in line with global standards.
Adeyanju, who is also the Vice President of ITF Global and Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), gave this assurance during the 16th edition of the “Success in Leadership Conference 2025” held in Lagos, where he was honoured with the “Ambassador for Peace” award.
Addressing delegates and stakeholders at the event, Adeyanju emphasised the importance of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) in advancing workers’ rights and conditions. He noted that while Nigeria has made significant strides in implementing CBAs in the maritime sector, several African nations are yet to fully adopt or appreciate their benefits.
He revealed that the ITF has allocated funds to establish a permanent regional centre for transport workers in Africa, signaling the Federation’s long-term commitment to strengthening union operations and promoting labour rights. He added that discussions are ongoing with key government agencies, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), to secure a suitable location for the centre in Nigeria.
According to Adeyanju, unionisation remains a critical tool for improving the welfare of transport workers, stressing that relying solely on employer determined salary structures undermines international labour practices.
He also announced that the ITF will host a regional conference in the last quarter of 2025, which will serve as a platform to tackle pressing issues confronting transport workers across the continent, particularly those relating to welfare and collective bargaining.
Adeyanju lauded the newly elected executives of MWUN, expressing confidence in their ability to build on the union’s legacy. He commended the new President General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, describing him as saleable, marketable, and reliable.
In his remarks on the ongoing discussions around port concession renewals in Nigeria, Adeyanju acknowledged the role of indigenous concessionaires in improving port operations, stating that they deserve renewal of their contracts to continue boosting local capacity and economic growth.
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