The National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) is committed to addressing challenges in the trading environment such as low profitability, market price volatility, and frequent property damage from fires. Their goal is to advocate for a more conducive and stable market for all traders. On May 1st, 2024, in Abuja, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) granted the new union its certificate of registration, which was accompanied by a pledge from the union.
James Chukwuma, the President of NUMTEN, announced that the union’s purpose was not only to protect traders from exploitation and victimization by dishonest individuals posing as government officials but also to provide a platform for support. In an interview, Chukwuma expressed concern over the significant loss of Revenue to black market traders in the country. He emphasized that the newly established union has plans for extensive changes and improvements that will elevate the Nigerian market to compete on a global scale.
Addressing the various obstacles that have been identified.
He explained that the National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) was born from his own experience as a market trader for more than ten years. With the collaboration of fellow market traders who shared his vision, they were finally able to make this concept a reality. Witnessing first-hand the mistreatment and exploitation of market traders by illegal market associations fuelled their determination to create a safer and fairer environment for all traders.
More so, the market traders are suffering from serious injuries and loss of life due to the criminal activities of these impostors. This illegal behaviour is leading to daily tragedies for innocent people. His additional comment was that the main goal was to address the various obstacles that have been identified, such as the unfavourable trading conditions, unattainable business profits, fluctuating market prices, frequent property damage in the market caused by fires due to subpar building materials, and negligence from both market traders and unknown actors.
Ensuring that the government receives its fair share of revenue.
Furthermore, NUMTEN represents a new beginning, a beacon of hope for saving the government’s finances from being drained by a small group of individuals and unauthorized organizations in Nigeria. The goal of the newly established union is to ensure that the government receives its fair share of revenue and that the hard work of its members is finally recognized and rewarded. The union has committed to working closely with other unions and government agencies in Nigeria to shift the country’s focus from being solely consumers to becoming an industrialized nation. The goal is to manufacture high-quality goods that can be exported and consumed by countries worldwide.
Additionally, the NLC serves as a unifying body for various Trade unions across Nigeria. Established in December 1978, the Nigerian Labour Congress was created through the consolidation of several organizations such as the Nigeria Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and the Labour Unity Front (LUF). Despite its formation, the Federal Military Government, under Murtala Mohammed’s leadership, did not acknowledge the new entity. Instead, they established the Adebiyi Tribunal to scrutinize the operations of trade unions and their leadership. In 1976, the Tribunal made a shocking revelation that exposed the existing trade union centres as supporters of Cold War ideologies. They were accused of receiving financial support from international union federations and mishandling funds.
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In response to these findings, all four centres were banned, and M. O. Abiodun was appointed as the trade unions’ administrator. His approval of the formation of a fresh Nigeria Labour Congress was contingent upon the restructuring of the roughly 1,500 affiliated unions into 42 industrial unions and 19 unions specifically for senior staff members. Established in 1978, the Nigeria Labour Congress united 42 industrial unions under the umbrella of the sole legal trade union federation. Wahab Goodluck was appointed as the founding president, leading a team of prominent figures from previous trade union organizations.