2026 I see Looming Crisis in NURTW the agency would be forgotten – Primate Ayodele

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has sounded a prophetic alarm over the future of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), warning that the once-powerful transport union may face a crippling leadership and management crisis by 2026.

According to the respected cleric, the NURTW is heading toward internal chaos that could ultimately lead to its collapse if urgent reforms are not implemented. He cautioned that infighting, disunity, and external political interference would tear the union apart and cause it to lose national significance.

“There will be a leadership and management crisis in NURTW by 2026. The union will be torn apart from within, and if care is not taken, it will be forgotten completely,” Primate Ayodele warned.

He urged transport authorities, labour leaders, and government agencies to intervene quickly to restructure the union and prevent its total disintegration. According to him, the stability of the NURTW is vital to Nigeria’s transport system, and its collapse could affect thousands of workers across the country.

The NURTW has for decades been one of Nigeria’s most powerful unions, but its history has been marred by leadership tussles, corruption allegations, and political manipulation.

In Lagos State, the union’s operations were suspended in 2021 following violent clashes between rival factions loyal to Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) and other leaders. This crisis led to the creation of a parallel structure the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee, effectively sidelining the NURTW in the state.

Similarly, Oyo State has witnessed multiple leadership disputes and state interventions. Internal power struggles over elections and accusations of undue influence from politicians have fueled division and instability.

Nationally, the union’s credibility has also suffered, with frequent complaints about poor accountability, misuse of funds, and lack of internal democracy. These persistent conflicts have eroded public trust and weakened the NURTW’s position as the central body for road transport workers.

Primate Ayodele’s prophecy is being viewed as a wake-up call for the union’s leadership. He emphasized that without genuine unity and transparency, the NURTW could fade into obscurity.

“The crisis will not be limited to internal leadership; political forces will worsen the divisions. The union must be restructured to restore order and purpose,” he said.

Experts believe the NURTW now stands at a critical juncture. Unless it reforms its internal systems, strengthens accountability, and reduces political involvement, the once-dominant transport union could lose its relevance entirely by 2026.

Primate Ayodele’s revelation, therefore, comes as a timely reminder that without integrity and unity, even the strongest organizations can fall apart.