Commercial drivers operating in the Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo areas of Obafemi Owode Local Government in Ogun State staged a protest on Monday, voicing their frustrations over what they described as excessive and multiple levies imposed on them by transport union workers, commonly referred to as “Agberos.” The drivers, who primarily operate minibuses known locally as “Korope,” claim that the daily union levies, which they had been paying at the rate of N4,000, were suddenly increased to N6,000. This sharp hike, coupled with the already burdensome rise in fuel prices and the skyrocketing cost of vehicle spare parts, has only exacerbated the financial strain they are facing.
Many of the protesting drivers expressed their inability to cope with the harsh economic realities they are currently subjected to. According to them, the daily expenses for maintaining their vehicles and keeping up with union fees leave little to no profit. One driver noted that after paying the union fees, buying fuel, and covering the cost of vehicle repairs, they are left with almost nothing to take home to their families. With the recent increase in fuel prices caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the ever-increasing cost of spare parts, the drivers argue that their daily operations have become unsustainable.
One of the drivers remarked, “The situation is unbearable. Every day, we have to cough up money for union dues, and on top of that, we are faced with higher fuel prices and the cost of repairing our vehicles. How are we supposed to survive with all these expenses? Now they have increased the levies without any explanation, and we are expected to pay.”
The drivers also shared stories of harassment and intimidation by union members when they fail to meet the payment demands. They claim that non-payment or delays often result in physical threats, damage to their vehicles, or even the confiscation of their buses by the Agberos. The atmosphere at the protest was filled with frustration and anger, as the drivers sought answers and a reduction in the levies to make their businesses more viable.
In response to the protest, the leadership of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Ogun State swiftly denied any involvement in the sudden hike in levies. Tiwalade Akingbade, the state Secretary of RTEAN, publicly distanced the association from the alleged increase in fees, stating that no official directive had been issued to raise the daily levies paid by commercial drivers in the state. According to him, RTEAN has 95 chapels and over 250 units across the state, and none of them has been authorised to increase levies.
Akingbade expressed his concerns over the situation and vowed that the matter would be thoroughly investigated. “If such an action has been taken by anybody, it is illegal,” he said. “We shall investigate this and justice shall be done.” He assured the drivers that RTEAN’s leadership would look into the matter, identify the individuals responsible, and ensure that appropriate corrective measures are taken to prevent further exploitation of drivers.
Despite the RTEAN’s denial, many of the drivers remain skeptical, arguing that such actions by Agberos are not new. According to them, there have been previous instances where levies were increased without official approval, and in most cases, no concrete action was taken to address the issue. One driver remarked, “We’ve heard this before. They say they’ll investigate, but nothing changes. We’re still the ones suffering.”
The tension between commercial drivers and union workers in Ogun State, particularly in the Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo corridor, has been an ongoing issue for years. Drivers have frequently complained about the overreach of union workers, accusing them of imposing illegal levies, extorting money from them, and harassing those who resist. The situation has, at times, led to clashes between drivers and union members, with some incidents resulting in violence.
The challenges faced by these drivers are further compounded by Nigeria’s current economic difficulties, including the rising cost of living, inflation, and fuel price hikes. Since the removal of fuel subsidies earlier in the year, drivers across the country have struggled to cope with the sharp increase in fuel costs, which has significantly eaten into their profits. The high cost of spare parts, many of which are imported, has also made it difficult for drivers to maintain their vehicles, as they often have to spend large sums on repairs.
The protest in Mowe-Ibafo-Arepo highlights the ongoing struggle of commercial drivers to stay afloat in an increasingly tough economic environment. While RTEAN’s promise to investigate the situation offers some hope, the drivers are eager to see concrete action that will alleviate the financial pressure they face daily. For now, the drivers have called on the government and transport union leaders to intervene and bring an end to the exploitation they say is crippling their livelihoods.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the grievances of the drivers will be addressed in a meaningful way or if this protest will simply add to the long list of unresolved issues between commercial drivers and union workers in Ogun State. Regardless, the drivers’ call for relief from the burdens of increased levies and operational costs continues to resonate across the state.
