Customs Engages Maritime Union, Pledges Swift Action on Workers’ Concerns
Author: Abass Quadri.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a decisive step to address grievances raised by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), with a meeting held at the union’s headquarters in Ijora on Thursday, 27 February 2025.
Representing the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, reassured the union of swift intervention.
“The CGC, who sees himself as one of you, has asked me to convey his heartfelt concern and commitment to your welfare. I can assure you that all issues raised in recent days have been identified and will be resolved”, Olomu stated.
Emphasising the significance of maritime workers, he remarked, “When maritime workers sneeze, it’s not just the port that catches a cold, but the entire nation. Last year, we generated N6.1 trillion, and without these workers, we couldn’t have achieved this result.”
He urged the union to prioritise national interest and reconsider any plans to withdraw their services, assuring them that engagements are ongoing at a strategic level, to address all concerns in the shortest possible time.
In response, MWUN President General, Adewale Adeyanju, welcomed the engagement, describing it as a strong acknowledgment of maritime workers’ contributions.
“We are not strike mongers and we will always follow due process. Part of this is creating awareness and urging the government to look into our concerns”, he affirmed.
“For the CGC to send a representative to us, it shows his commitment, and we will continue to respect him as one of the president’s best appointments”, he added.
He further described the CGC as a grassroots leader deeply connected to the system and expressed readiness for continued collaboration with Customs.
The meeting concluded with mutual award presentations, marking a step toward strengthened ties between Customs and Maritime workers.
Recall that the union had on 24 February 2025, threatened to shut down port operations, citing “incessant harassment, bullying, and the imposition of unregulated, outrageous penalty charges” on truck drivers operating along the Apapa and Tin Can ports access roads.
