The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Joint National Transport Safety Committee of Nigeria to improve safety and drivers’ welfare.
The group added that the move would also ensure standardisation compliance in haulage transport operations in Nigeria.
The agreement, signed at the MWUN Secretariat in Apapa, Lagos, on Monday, also seeks to prioritise the well-being of passengers and communities while also ensuring environmental responsibility and carbon footprint reduction.
Speaking during the ceremony, the President-General of MWUN, Adewale Adeyanju, described the MoU as a crucial step in addressing the menace of unregulated and unsafe truck operations on Nigerian roads.
He expressed concern over the prolonged periods trucks spend on the road without proper maintenance.
Adeyanju also lamented that drivers sleep in the trucks for an extended period, lacking access to proper healthcare and basic amenities.
“This is not the first time we have signed an MoU, but I can tell you that this one is going to be one of the best MoUs that the MWUN will append its signature. It is going to help us to reduce this menace of trucks spending weeks and months on the road,” Adeyanju said.
According to him, some truckers use their drivers as slaves, stressing that some of them would sleep in the truck for weeks without anyone taking care of their welfare.
Adeyanju, however, warned against any deceit or lack of sincerity in implementing the agreement, stating that MWUN, as a responsible trade union, will not work with people who lack sincerity.
“We are responsible trade unionists, and we don’t do things just anyhow. We follow our members, and we follow the organisation properly. We don’t work with liars.
“I believe the two bodies will work together and make sure that this MoU does not crash halfway, ” he said.
When asked if the MoU would involve the collection of tolls, Adeyanju clarified that toll collection was not the immediate focus of the MoU but could be considered in the future.
Earlier in his address, the National Executive Chairman of the Joint National Transport Safety Committee, Taiwo Mogbojuri, emphasised the MoU’s commitment to safety and standardisation.
“Through this MOU, we aim to create a safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime truck and haulage transport system. We recognise that safety is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral obligation to protect the lives of our drivers, passengers, and communities,” he said.
Mogbojuri outlined the key areas of focus of the MoU, including regulatory compliance, risk management, driver training, and wellness, as well as vehicle maintenance and inspection.
He expressed gratitude to MWUN for their partnership and commitment to safety excellence.
“As we sign this MOU, we’re not just formalising a partnership — we’re making a promise to each other, to our stakeholders, and to the communities we serve. A promise to uphold the highest standards of safety, to innovate and improve continuously, and to collaborate openly and transparently,” he said.
