COMTUA IS ALIVE, INTACT AND THE FUTURE OF MARITIME TRANSPORT UNIONISM – Aroyewun, President COMTUA
By Ambrose Okehi (News Emperor)
The National President of the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), Prince Adeyinka Aroyewun, has declared that despite sustained attacks and propaganda, the Council of Maritime Transport Union and Associations, COMTUA remains alive, intact and represents the future of maritime transport unionism in Nigeria.
Prince Aroyewun made the declaration on today being Wednesday, September 17, 2026, while delivering his Presidential Address at the 2026 Convention and Induction of New Affiliates going on at City Pulse, LTV 8, Oregun, Lagos.
The event was attended by leaders of maritime transport associations, members of the Board of Trustees, executives, delegates and members of the press.
According to him, the convention was not just an induction but a statement of COMTUA’s resilience and growth.
“Today is not just an induction. Today is a statement that COMTUA is alive, COMTUA is intact, and COMTUA is the future of maritime transport unionism in Nigeria,” he said.
On the journey far and the numerous attacks, Comrade Aroyewun, the COMTUA President recalled that the collaboration was born out of necessity to confront extortion, double taxation, harassment of drivers and disunity among truck owners, with different associations, unions and corporate bodies bound by a Memorandum of Understanding to speak with one voice.
He therefore lamented that from day one, the Council has faced attacks from groups who profit from disunity.
“They went to CAC to search for us as an association, forgetting we are a Council and Collaboration of already registered entities. When they did not find us, they started propaganda that COMTUA does not exist. They sponsored resignation of some weak members and circulated a fraudulent letter of dissolution of COMTUA. I stand before you today to say: Can you dissolve what you did not form? COMTUA was not dissolved. It can never be dissolved by press statement. Our MOU remains binding. We survived it,” Aroyewun stated.
Aroyewun also recounted the attempt by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation to create NAMTOP – Nigerian Association of Maritime Truck Operators – which he described as a forced collaboration, and later LASTCOC – Lagos State Trucking Operations Committee.
He said COMTUA told the state government that maritime trucking cannot be regulated from Alausa without carrying real stakeholders along and without law.
“What followed was the imposition of illegal dues, N10,000, N15,000, N30,000 per truck, per trip, by different touts in uniform, all in the name of state and association levies. We said NO. And we went to court. That is why we have litigations. We are not litigants by choice; we are defenders of our members’ economy,” he said.
He cited the pending case FHC/L/CS/545/2025 – Adeyinka Aroyewun & Others for and on behalf of COMTUA VS AGF, NPA, FIRS & Others – instituted to stop multiple illegal taxation.
He added that COMTUA was vindicated just last week when the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) ordered AMATO to refund N300,000 extorted from its members at Zarmmak Terminal.
“That is what COMTUA does – we protect,” he said.
Aroyewun who spoke about their Progress and Challenges noted that despite the challenges COMTUA has made significant progress.
On affiliation, he disclosed that from 5 associations at inception, the Council now has over 9 associations and over 20 corporate haulage companies under its collaboration, with new groups including COMTUA Haulers Association (CHAN) joining.
“Today, we are inducting new affiliates. This is because truckers trust COMTUA,” he said.
On legal status, he revealed that a Magistrate Court victory had affirmed COMTUA’s right to exist and operate, while its trade union registration process with the Federal Ministry of Labour is at an advanced stage.
“We have been directed to harmonize as an Employers Association / Workers Union in the Maritime Transport Sector, and we are almost there. By God’s grace, before December 2026, COMTUA will have Federal Government recognition as a Trade Union. This is more than what our detractors have,” he assured.
Outlining plans for the future, the COMTUA President said the Council will finalize affiliation with new groups, push its trade union registration to conclusion to end the debate of locus standi forever, engage NPERA and NPA for a workable Unified Electronic Call-Up and Unified Levy – one payment, one ticket, no extortion.
He also said COMTUA will establish a Welfare and Legal Aid Fund for members who are detained or extorted and will never allow LASTCOC or any group to impose illegal dues on members again.
“Let me say to our adversaries: Attacking COMTUA is attacking unity. You have failed before, you will fail again,” he declared.
Welcoming the new affiliates, he said: “Welcome to the family that fights for justice. Welcome to COMTUA.”
He advised members to be law-abiding and ensure safety at all times, and urged the press to report the Council correctly.
“We are not touts. We are employers of labour, owners of trucks, critical to the economy. 80% of cargo leaves the port by road, by our trucks. Respect us,” he added.
He ended his address with: “Long live COMTUA! Long live Maritime Transport Industry! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!”