The Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has secured formal recognition as a member of the National Council on Transportation (NCT), giving app-based transport workers a direct voice in Nigeria’s national transportation policy discussions.

The development took place on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja, where AUATON was formally inaugurated into the Council’s stakeholder structure.

The union’s Lagos State Chairman, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez, who represented the National President, Comrade Adedamola Adeniran, at the event, described the development as a historic milestone for Nigeria’s app-based transport industry.

Azeez said the recognition marked a significant step forward in the union’s efforts to secure representation, decent working conditions and inclusion for platform-based transport workers.

“We fought for a seat at the table; today, that seat has been secured. We are no longer asking to be heard—we are now officially part of the Council where decisions concerning Nigeria’s transportation future are made,” he said.

The inauguration coincided with the unveiling and presentation of the Approved National Land Transport Policy (NLTP), which formed the centrepiece of the Council’s proceedings.

The session brought together senior government officials, transport commissioners, representatives of federal and state agencies, members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders across the transportation sector.

The Vice President of Nigeria, who served as Special Guest of Honour, delivered the presentation speech before declaring the Executive Session open, while Prof. Samuel Adewumi, Chairman of the Policy Development Committee, presented the National Land Transport Policy.

According to Azeez, AUATON’s inclusion in the NCT would enable the union to bring issues affecting app-based transport workers directly to the national policy table.

He identified fair and sustainable fares, driver welfare, social protection, safety and security, transparent platform charges, recognition of platform workers and digital transportation regulation among issues the union would continue to pursue.

Others include better working conditions and improved access to insurance, pensions and other welfare programmes, as well as greater adoption of technology-driven transportation solutions.

Azeez said the development also strengthened AUATON’s earlier advocacy for Nigeria to ratify and domesticate ILO Convention No. 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy.

He noted that with app-based transport workers now formally represented within the NCT, the union had a stronger platform to advocate policies that would ensure that the expansion of digital transportation was accompanied by decent work, social protection, safety and fairness.

The Executive Session also received the report of the Technical Session from the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation.

The Council subsequently considered the Technical Committee’s report and moved towards the adoption of resolutions and the communique of the 19th NCT.

Other activities included consideration of the host for the 20th National Council on Transportation, presentation of the draft communiqué, closing remarks and the National Pledge.

Azeez said AUATON’s formal entry into the Council represented a new chapter for the union and app-based transport workers across Nigeria.

“AUATON is no longer outside the national transportation policy table. We are now officially part of it,” he said.

He added that the development was the outcome of sustained advocacy, engagement and constructive dialogue by AUATON leadership.

“From advocacy to representation, from the streets to the national policy table, the voice of the app-based transport worker has finally gained formal recognition,” Azeez said.