What is the full meaning of NURTW?

The NURTW is one of the Independent Nigerian Trade Unions that looks after the interest of transport workers in the road and transport sector of the country. They have some constitutions they follow, so they always push for the social stability of workers in Nigeria's transport sector.

What is the full meaning of NURTW in Nigeria?

The full meaning of NURTW is the National Union of Road Transport Workers and by this you one can easily deduce what the union stand for, as they are after the well-being of all transport workers in Nigeria. 

When was NURTW established in Nigeria?

The National Union of Road Transport Workers in Nigeria was established in 1978 and became the general after some other union was merged. The amalgamation, which the then government did, gave birth to the NURTW; the joined unions were:

• Amalgamated Union of Lagos Municipal Bus Workers
• Ance Transport Service Workers' Union
• Arab Trans Workers' Union
• Benson Transport Workers' Union
• Cross River State Transport and Allied Workers' Union
• H. Safieddine Transport Limited Workers' Union
• Hope Rising Drivers' Union
• Ikot Ekpene Divisional Transport Workers' Union
• Jam Iyyan Alhin Diraibobiw Arewa Northern Transport Workers' Union
• Mid-West Line and Armels Transport Workers' Union
• M/S Fawaz (Nigeria) Limited and Allied Workers' Union
• Rivers State Transport Corporation and Allied Workers' Union
• Tractors Drivers' Union
• Trans-Continental (Nigeria) Ltd. Workers' Union

All these are the union that formed NURTW and is affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). As of 1988, the union had about 30,000 members and has grown to 96,000 as of 2005. The association is known for raising funds through different methods, and one of the ways is through the cheerful giving of the union members, which is like a contribution. They also raise money by collecting money from drivers at each checkpoint or bus stop.

What are the functions of NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers)?

Below are the functions of the NURTW?

•  Bargain and fight for the rights of their workers in the transport industry.
• To protect the well-being of transport workers nationwide.
• To ensure the smooth running of the affair of transport workers and see to the registration and adoption of different workers.

Their functions are enormous, but these are the major ones.

Who is the National Chairman of NURTW in Nigeria?

The national president of the NURTW is Chief Tajudeen Baruwa, who was assigned as the union president on August 29, 2019, making him the 8th president of the union. The National Chairman was installed by a former President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin.

Since the moment Baruwa made it to the position, he did not hide his desire to ensure the union became a top place in the country. He believes during his tenure, he will uplift the union to a height that others desirable in the country's trade union. 

NURTW suspends Oluomo

In 2022, the NURTW suspended Mc Oluomo, the Lagos state chairman of the NURTW. The union levied a suspension on Musiliu Akinsanya because of infidelity, and they claim it was an indefinite strike. The letter to the suspension was signed on March 9, 2022, by Kabiru Yau, the general secretary of the National Body of the union. The union told MC Oluomo to hand over the leadership of the Lagos state chapter to his deputy.

Who is the Lagos state NURTW chairman?

The Lagos state government reinstalled MC Oluomo under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo Olu. This installment came weeks after the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) union sacked Musiliu Akinsanya for insubordination and infidelity. The Governor did this with the help of a committee he set up to address the issue of the transport union in Lagos.

Who is MC Oluomo?

Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, is a Nigerian politician and union leader. He is the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), one of the largest transport unions in Nigeria. MC Oluomo rose to prominence in Lagos State due to his leadership role in the NURTW, which controls a significant portion of the transport industry in the state. He has been a controversial figure, with allegations of involvement in political thuggery and violence.

MC Oluomo has also been involved in philanthropic activities, providing financial and material support to individuals and communities in need. He has also supported education and youth empowerment initiatives.

Ondo state NURTW

Ondo State is one of the states in Nigeria where the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) operates as a transportation union. The union is mainly in charge of directing and regulating the state's commercial road transport companies.

The NURTW has been in charge of offering transportation services to the residents of Ondo State and is known by the state government. Additionally, the union oversees commercial drivers' operations, protects the safety of passengers, and settles member disputes.

Nonetheless, several scandals have surrounded the NURTW in Ondo State in recent years, including reports of fights between union members and accusations of violence and criminal activity. The state government has taken action to resolve these problems and enhance the union's performance.

Who is the NURTW chairman that was killed?

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has had some hands in several violent incidents in various parts of Nigeria. Regrettably, some of these conflicts have resulted in the deaths of NURTW officials, including the chairman.

In Nigeria, at least 2 NURTW chairmen died. One of them is Rasaq Bello, also called "Hamburger," who served as the NURTW Chairman of the Lagos State local government of Oshodi-Isolo. He was killed in a fight between two union groups in May 2017.

Lateef Salako, also called "Eleweomo," is the other NURTW chairman killed. He was murdered on Thursday, 30 December 2010, during a People's Democratic Party (PDP) congress election, where he served as the NURTW Chairman.

NURTW Protest in Lagos

There has been so much protest from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This protest has taken the lives of many people in Lagos and even the country at large. But the beautiful thing is every instance of a leaked planned protest, and the police are always on the lookout. This has reduced the number and level of demonstrations from the NURTW in Lagos and Nigeria.

Importance of Transportation in Nigeria

All nations' financial progress requires adequate transportation, and Nigeria is no different. In Nigeria, transportation is crucial for the following reasons:

• Facilitating commerce and trade: Transportation makes moving products and services across the nation possible. Trade and business are encouraged, essential for the nation's economic growth.
• Proximity to markets: Farmers and other producers can sell their goods nationwide thanks to access to markets made possible by a sound transportation system.
• Employment opportunities: Jobs are available through the infrastructure of transportation in several industries, including logistics, shipping, and trucking.
• Connectivity: People may travel more easily and access necessities like healthcare and education because of the country's extensive transportation system.
• Integrating the region: By connecting Nigeria with other African nations, adequate transportation infrastructure can improve regional integration, increasing commerce and economic growth.

In conclusion, transportation is essential to Nigeria's economic growth because it makes trade and commerce more accessible, generates jobs, gives people access to markets, encourages connectivity, and strengthens regional integration.

Finally on NURTW

We believe that we have been able to provide helpful information on the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Nigeria. The union plays a vital role in regulating and coordinating the activities of commercial road transport operators in Nigeria. Still, it has also been associated with controversies and incidents of violence in some cases. The government and other stakeholders need to work towards improving the regulation and oversight of the union to prevent such incidents and ensure that the association operates peacefully and productively.