The prolonged leadership crisis that has divided the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) may soon be resolved following a major reconciliation effort led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The breakthrough came after a peace meeting convened by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday at the Labour House in Abuja.
Sources with knowledge of the closed-door reconciliation meeting disclosed that the rival factions reached a common understanding to suspend hostilities and continue engaging in dialogue aimed at restoring unity within the union.
According to the sources, the NLC leadership urged both camps to put the collective interest of the union above personal ambitions and factional interests, stressing that genuine reconciliation remained the only path to ending the prolonged leadership dispute.
Insiders said the mediation process recorded significant progress after representatives of the two camps assured the NLC of their commitment to pursuing peaceful negotiations and rebuilding trust among members of the union.
The parties also reportedly agreed to participate in future reconciliation meetings without attaching any conditions and pledged to implement agreements reached through the dialogue process.
Labour insiders described the outcome of the meeting as one of the most important breakthroughs recorded since the crisis began.
They expressed optimism that the willingness demonstrated by both factions to embrace reconciliation would create the foundation for lasting peace and stability within the transport workers’ union.
The meeting, which was facilitated by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, is expected to be followed by additional engagements designed to resolve outstanding issues and strengthen the institutional unity of the NURTW.
A source familiar with the mediation process said discussions during the meeting were frank, open and constructive.
The source added that the readiness displayed by both camps to continue negotiations had significantly increased hopes that the long-running crisis could soon be permanently resolved.
“There is now a shared commitment to dialogue. Both parties have agreed that the reconciliation process should continue without conditions, and there is optimism that this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the union,” the source said.
The latest peace initiative is expected to reduce tensions within the NURTW and help restore stability to one of Nigeria’s most influential trade unions.
Observers believe the resolution of the crisis could also positively impact the country’s road transport sector, given the strategic role played by the union in commercial transportation across Nigeria.
Background
The leadership crisis within the National Union of Road Transport Workers dates back to 2022 when disagreements over the union’s national leadership and administration escalated into a prolonged internal conflict.
The dispute intensified after Tajudeen Baruwa emerged as National President during the union’s National Delegates Conference.
His emergence, however, was rejected by another faction led by Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, who also laid claim to the leadership of the organisation.
The conflicting claims resulted in the emergence of parallel leadership structures, prolonged legal battles and uncertainty over the legitimate leadership of the union.
The crisis significantly affected the internal cohesion of the NURTW and attracted national attention because of the union’s influence in Nigeria’s transport industry.
The dispute also prompted intervention from the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella body for trade unions in the country, to which the NURTW is affiliated.
Over the years, the NLC repeatedly appealed to both factions to resolve their differences through dialogue and in accordance with the traditions of the organised labour movement.
In recent months, the Congress intensified its mediation efforts by convening a series of meetings designed to identify areas of compromise and restore peace within the union.
Wednesday’s reconciliation meeting in Abuja represents the latest and perhaps the most significant intervention by the NLC, with both factions reportedly expressing renewed willingness to continue negotiations and work towards a lasting settlement of the leadership crisis.
