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Obalende clash: Lagos NURTW, RTEAN sign peace accord

Published

6 years ago

February 16, 2021

Lagos chapters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria have met over control of garage operations that recently led to a clash in the Obalende area of the state.

The meeting which lasted for four hours was convened by the state government and held in Ikeja.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, presided over the meeting with two unions representatives, led by their Chairmen, NURTW, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, (MC Oluomo) and the Vice Chairman RTEAN, Chief Gbenga Elesho, in attendance.

Fayinka stated that the meeting became necessary in view of the recent clash between both parties at Obalende Lagos, on Thursday, February 11, 2021 and the need for the immediate resolution to forestall a reoccurrence.

Responding to the issue that degenerated into the clash, the Lagos State Treasurer for NURTW, Mr. Mustapha Adekunle, (Sego) stated that the disagreement was over the control of park unit of which both parties had agreed on its operation.

He further explained that the agreement which has to do with operation of tricycles in one of the units under the control of RTEAN was denied access by NURTW for their minibuses operation.

Confirming the Ttreasurer’s position on the issue, MC Oluomo said the boundary operation crisis that ensued between the unions could have been averted like many others that could have degenerated into crisis had been amicably settled in the past.

He reiterated the peaceful coexistence between both parties, calling for peaceful resolution.

On the part of RTEAN, the State Secretary, Mr. Amusan Olalekan, also explained that the clash was avoidable going by the agreement of both unions to maintain the peace which had existed for long.

The RTEAN’s Vice Chairman, Chief Gbenga Elesho, stated that some other parks which were initially under the control of his union had been taken over by NURTW, part of which cumulated into the clash.

Addressing the two parties on the need for amicable settlement, the Special Adviser urged both parties for suggestions that would enhance peaceful resolution.

At the end of the deliberation, both parties agreed that pending the return of tricycle operation by NURTW at Obalende, RTEAN will continue with the operation of their minibuses, with welfare fees paid to NURTW.

“This peaceful agreement will be signed by both parties at the Ministry of Transportation,” said Fayinka.

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NADDC Pushes Affordable Auto Loans to Boost Vehicle Ownership, More Jobs

Published

5 days ago

September 21, 2026

Trends Admin

NADDC Pushes Affordable Auto Loans to Boost Vehicle Ownership, More Job

The National Automotive Design and Development Council has called for far-reaching reforms in vehicle financing to make car ownership more affordable while boosting local vehicle assembly, job creation and industrial development.

The Council said a properly structured financing system could turn vehicle credit from a mere consumer lending product into a major economic tool for expanding productive mobility and strengthening Nigeria’s automotive value chain.

Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, stated this in an address delivered on his behalf by the Council’s Principal Information Officer, Tanko Kyumnom, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Auto Sectoral Group Symposium in Lagos.

The symposium, held on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Henry Fajemirokun Hall of LCCI, was themed: “From Subsidy to Credit: Can Vehicle Financing Replace Fuel Subsidy as Nigeria’s Mobility Equaliser?”
Osanipin said the growing cost of mobility had made it necessary to explore financing models that would enable individuals, businesses and transport operators to acquire vehicles without bearing the full cost of ownership upfront.

According to him, spreading vehicle payments over an agreed period could provide a more sustainable pathway to vehicle acquisition, provided that the financing products are affordable, accessible and structured around the economic realities of Nigerian consumers.

He, however, cautioned that simply making credit available would not be enough.
“Vehicle financing offers a more sustainable approach by enabling individuals, businesses and transport operators to acquire vehicles and pay for them over time,” Osanipin stated.
The NADDC DG said the bigger opportunity lies in linking vehicle financing with the growth of locally assembled and Nigerian-made vehicles.

He explained that increased access to credit for locally produced vehicles could generate wider economic benefits by stimulating demand for domestic assembly, supporting component manufacturers, creating jobs and strengthening local supply chains.

Osanipin therefore urged stronger collaboration among government institutions, financial institutions, vehicle manufacturers and other stakeholders in designing financing schemes capable of supporting both mobility access and automotive industrialisation.

The NADDC boss identified affordable vehicle loans, leasing arrangements, fleet financing, credit guarantees and appropriate interest-rate support as mechanisms that could broaden access to vehicle ownership and productive mobility.

lt also stressed the need for repayment structures that take into account the earning patterns and business realities of Nigerians, particularly transport operators and small businesses whose vehicles are directly linked to their income-generating activities.

Osanipin maintained that the objective should extend beyond increasing the number of vehicles on Nigerian roads.
“The goal is not simply to put more vehicles on Nigerian roads. It is to ensure that Nigerians can access productive mobility without placing an unsustainable burden on government finances or household incomes,” he said.

According to him, a properly structured automotive financing system could create a stronger connection between mobility, economic inclusion and domestic vehicle production.

“With the right policies and partnerships, vehicle financing can become a powerful instrument for mobility, economic inclusion and automotive industrial development,” Osanipin added.

The NADDC’s position places vehicle financing within the broader effort to build a sustainable automotive ecosystem in Nigeria—one in which access to credit supports vehicle users while also creating stronger demand for local assembly, components and associated automotive services.

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Jetour T1 Storms Abuja as Automaker Accelerates Nigeria Expansion

Published

5 days ago

September 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour T1 Set to debut in Abuja as Expansion Gains Momentum

Following a successful debut in Lagos, Jetour Nigeria will host the Jetour Experience Abuja from September 22 to 24, 2026, positioning its all-new T1 model as a major competitor in the country’s growing adventure SUV market.

The three-day event in the Federal Capital Territory will give prospective buyers and motoring enthusiasts direct access to product demonstrations, expert-led technical sessions, and hands-on test drives.

“Strong participation, extensive test drives, and significant sales enquiries at the Lagos edition, coupled with growing demand from Abuja residents, influenced the decision to bring the experience to the nation’s capital,” the company said in a statement. The show holds at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki.

To support its growing national footprint, Jetour Nigeria has established a network of seven accredited dealers: Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Tab Autos Limited, R.T. Briscoe Motors, and Mandilas Autos. The partnerships cover retail sales, genuine spare parts supply, and comprehensive after-sales maintenance.

Jetour T1 Set to debut in Abuja as Expansion Gains Momentum

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Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

Published

7 days ago

September 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

Jetour Nigeria is taking its seven-seater X70 Plus SUV to Abuja as rising interest from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states fuels the brand’s latest push to deepen its presence across Nigeria.

The X70 Plus will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, holding from September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, following the strong response recorded during the Lagos edition, where motorists turned out for test drives and made enquiries about Jetour models.

The Abuja activation is designed to give prospective buyers direct access to the X70 Plus and other models, with opportunities to test-drive the vehicles, engage product specialists and experience their technology, safety and comfort features.

The X70 Plus is positioned as a family-oriented SUV, offering seven-seat capacity and a range of features targeted at customers seeking comfort, technology and practicality.

The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine options, with outputs of up to 145kW and 290Nm of torque, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.