LAGOS — The looming threat of industrial action that threatened to paralyze activities at Apapa ports has been averted as the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and two major transport unions, the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), announced the suspension of their planned three-day service withdrawal.
The unions had previously issued a strike notice on February 24, 2025, citing what they described as “exploitative activities” by the Lagos State Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles and the Special Traffic Management Committee and Enforcement Team operating within the Apapa port corridor.
The unions expressed concerns over the alleged “incessant harassment, bullying, and imposition of unregulated outrageous penalty charges” on truck drivers transporting goods to and from the Apapa and Tin Can ports.
In a joint statement released on Monday, MWUN, NARTO, and AMATO confirmed that they had decided to suspend the planned strike following the intervention of the Lagos State Government and other key players in the maritime sector.
The announcement was jointly signed by the Secretaries-General of the three unions — Adoga Ogbogo (NARTO), Bala Muhammed (AMATO), and Oniha Erazue (MWUN).
The statement praised the state government for its swift response, describing it as “timely and proactive.” It highlighted that the government’s invitation to an urgent meeting to address the unions’ grievances was a significant factor in the decision to suspend the strike.
“We appreciate the swift engagement by the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders, which has paved the way for constructive dialogue on the issues raised,” the statement read.
A source close to the negotiations revealed that the state government assured the unions of a thorough review of the alleged exploitative practices and promised to curb the activities of enforcement officials accused of imposing excessive charges on truck drivers.
The unions emphasized that the suspension of the strike is conditional on the fulfillment of these assurances.
Meanwhile, port users and business operators have welcomed the suspension, expressing relief that the planned industrial action was halted. “A strike would have had a devastating impact on the economy, especially considering the significant volume of goods that pass through Apapa ports daily,” said John Adewale, a logistics operator at Apapa port.
Industry analysts warn, however, that the underlying issues must be swiftly and comprehensively addressed to prevent a recurrence of the strike threat. “This suspension should not be seen as the end but rather an opportunity for genuine reforms to address the concerns of the transport unions,” remarked Bayo Omotayo, a maritime expert.
As stakeholders await the outcome of the upcoming meetings between the unions and the Lagos State Government, the situation at Apapa ports remains under close watch. The unions have hinted at the possibility of resuming the strike if their demands are not adequately met within a reasonable timeframe.
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