By correspondent in Lagos.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has called on the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to abandon their planned strike and engage in constructive dialogue to address their concerns.
Adeniyi made the appeal during a visit to the union’s headquarters in Lagos, where he was represented by the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu.
In his remarks, Adeniyi acknowledged the significant contributions of maritime workers, noting that they account for over 50% of the NCS’s total revenue generation. He emphasized that the NCS had already engaged with port operators to find lasting solutions to the challenges faced by maritime workers, recognizing their crucial role in the nation’s economic performance.
“Thanks to the seamless operations of all maritime workers, the NCS exceeded its 2024 revenue target of N6.1 trillion for the Federal Government. We cannot achieve this without your input,” Adeniyi stated. “This is why we are here today—to resolve the issues at hand, avoid demurrage, and make Nigeria a preferred destination for cargo clearance across Africa.”
He urged the union to reconsider their decision and suspend the proposed strike.
MWUN National President, Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing a grassroots leader to head the NCS. He assured Adeniyi that the union had decided against striking and expressed their commitment to fostering a “marriage of convenience” with port operators to ensure smooth operations.
“We want the government to address our challenges holistically. We’re not against the creation of a task force, but there should be awareness campaigns to ensure that truck owners vacate the parking spaces they occupy,” Adeyanju said.
He also highlighted the poor salaries of maritime workers, calling for a thorough investigation into the working conditions, which he described as “slavery.” Adeyanju criticized a recent incident where a task force arrived at 3 a.m. and damaged trucks belonging to union veterans, demanding a fine of N500,000 for their release.
“The task force’s actions need to be addressed to prevent a strike at the ports,” he added. “We are not troublemakers; we want to solve these issues together.” He expressed gratitude to Adeniyi for personally visiting the union’s headquarters, marking a historic first for the NCS.
In a show of support, Chief Remi Ogungbemi, President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), praised the role of Customs in port development and described how training had helped resolve misunderstandings between Customs and truck owners regarding cargo interceptions.
“Most of our trucks are in poor condition because the funds meant for repairs are spent on resolving other issues,” Ogungbemi noted.
Comrade Toney Harry, Deputy National President-General of MWUN, also praised the efforts of the Apapa Customs Area Controller. He emphasized that the visit would contribute to enhanced revenue generation and smoother business operations at the port.
The MWUN, along with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), had initially planned a strike, issuing a three-day ultimatum to the Lagos State government on Feb. 20, 2025. The unions had demanded the immediate disbandment of two state committees and the unconditional release of impounded trucks, accusing them of extortion and arbitrary actions.
