Adeyanju Bags Peace Ambassador Award At Leadership Conference, Says Africa Will Benefit From ITF

By Roland Ekama 

Immediate past President General Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has reassured affiliate workers union in Africa that the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) will assist in ensuring better welfare packages for employees in line with global best practices .

Adeyanju who disclosed this on Saturday in Lagos at the Success in Leadership Conference 2025 16th Edition where he bagged “The Ambassador for Peace” Award , stated that some countries in Africa are yet to understand the benefits and importance of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA)

According to him, the Nigerian model of CBA is being adopted in other countries like Ghana to evolve better welfare for workers in the maritime industry.

Adeyanju who is the Vice President, ITF Global served as a special guest of honour and award recipient at the event where he reiterated that funds have been made available by the federation towards securing a permanent building which will serve as a centre for transport workers in the continent.

According to him, unionization of transport workers was key towards ensuring better welfare packages for affiliate unions of ITF in the continent , saying that much has not been achieved in terms of CBA.

He also disclosed that ITF is set to host regional conference billed to hold in the last quarter of 2025, adding that the programme would address critical issues affecting workers welfare in the continent.

The union leader who spoke on the sidelines of the event noted that the some countries in the continent rely on employers salary structure which according to him, negates international best practices.

While speaking about the MWUN newly elected executives from national to the four branches, Adeyanju who also doubles as the Deputy President Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) ,re-echoed that the incumbent President General Comrade Francis Bunu Abi has the qualities of a good leader, while pointing out that “Bunu is saleable, marketable and reliable”.

He further expressed optimism and satisfaction that all elected executives from the national and branches have what it takes to move the union to greater heights.

The union leader further affirmed that moves are on going towards ensuring that a benefitting centre for ITF presence in Nigeria, noting that relevant government agencies like the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has concluded plans to secure a landed property for that project.

On renewal of port concession agreement, he said the Nigerian concessionaires have contributed and deserve renewal to strengthen the capacities of indigenous companies