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By Moses Akaigwe
After more than five years of inactivity, the Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), the umbrella body of mass transit owbersbl in the country, has returned with a renewed commitment to reposition the organisation and champion the welfare of transporters nationwide.
The association held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the Fadeyi area of Lagos, on Thursday, July 10, 2026, under the theme, “Restoring Trust, Repositioning PTONA,” where members from some parts of the country gathered to chart a new course for the body.
Delivering his inaugural address as Acting President, Comrade Uwemedimo Udo Essien acknowledged the challenges that had weakened the association over the years and assured members that a new era of transparency, accountability and purposeful leadership had begun.
Reflecting on the association’s prolonged silence, Essien, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Uyo-vased Transit Favour, admitted that members had been disappointed and neglected.
“For too long, trust was broken. For over five years, PTONA was silent. Our members felt abandoned. Our industry felt voiceless. Promises were made, but results were missing. Transporters were exploited, illegal levies multiplied, and the men and women who keep Nigeria moving were left to suffer alone,” he said
“That is why we are here today—not to dwell on the past, but to rebuild from it.”
The Acting President said rebuilding confidence among members would be the association’s foremost priority, stressing that trust could only be regained through concrete actions rather than rhetoric.
“Trust is not given. It is earned. And we will earn it again through action, not slogans,” he declared.
He promised that the new leadership would embrace good governance by ensuring transparency, accountability and openness in all its dealings.
“We will restore trust by practicing good governance. Leadership will be transparent, accountable and answerable to you, the members. Financial records will be open. Decisions will be made in meetings, not in secret,” Essien assured.
On the protection of members’ rights, he announced the establishment of a Legal Unit that would defend transport operators against illegal levies, harassment and intimidation
“We will restore trust by protecting your rights. Through our new Legal Unit, PTONA will challenge illegal road levies, harassment and intimidation in courts and at government level. No transporter will fight alone again.”
He further disclosed that the association would establish coordinators in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to ensure members’ concerns receive prompt attention.
“We will restore trust by listening. State Coordinators in all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory will make PTONA accessible. Your local problem will no longer die at the park gate. It will reach this national table.”
Essien also outlined plans to transform PTONA into a stronger and more influential national body capable of shaping transport policies.
“PTONA must be more than a name on paper. It must be a force that changes lives. We will reposition PTONA through unity and membership. One association, one voice,” he said.
He insisted that governments at all levels must recognise the association as the authentic voice of transport operators whenever transport policies are being formulated.
“When the government makes a transport policy, they must consult PTONA because we speak for every driver, conductor and operator from Uyo to Sokoto, Abuja to Enugu and from Lagos to Kano.”
According to him, the association would also develop a transparent and sustainable funding model that would eliminate dependence and strengthen its independence.
“We will reposition PTONA through sustainable funding. We will build a funding model that is fair, transparent and member-owned. No more dependence. No more compromise. PTONA will stand on its own feet.”
He added that the body would seek partnerships with government agencies, private sector organisations and international institutions to provide training, fleet financing, insurance and skills development for members.
“This industry must move from survival to prosperity. We will partner with government agencies, private companies and foreign organisations to bring training, modern fleet financing, insurance and skills development to our members. A trained transporter is a respected transporter.”
Calling on members to embrace collective responsibility, Essien stressed that rebuilding the association could not be achieved by the executive alone.
“Repositioning PTONA is not the job of the President alone. It is the job of every transporter here. Trust is rebuilt when each of us keeps our word. PTONA is repositioned when each park operates with discipline and dignity.”
He concluded with a passionate appeal for unity and active participation.
“Today marks the end of invisibility. Today PTONA steps back into the light—stronger, united and ready to serve. I ask for your trust again. I ask for your support. I ask for your participation. Together, let us restore the trust our people lost. Together, let us reposition PTONA as the true voice of Nigerian transporters.”
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Acting Public Relations Officer, Paul Okogbenun, described transportation as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy with enormous untapped potential.
Okogbenun, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Rahony Travels Limited, urged transport owners to unite in order to effectively confront the numerous challenges facing the industry
He identified persistent harassment by some law enforcement agents and the frequent impoundment of members’ vehicles in some states over the non-purchase of expensive stickers as some of the major issues confronting transport owbers.
“If we come together, you can see how strong we can be,” he said.
A major highlight of the AGM was the formal transition of leadership by PTONA’s founding leader and former President, Engr. Isaac Uhunmwagbo of Efex Transport, who officially announced his decision to step down from office.
Uhunmwagbo was subsequently appointed Patron of the association alongside the Chief Executive Officer of Area Motors Nigeria Ltd, Chief Clement Okuefuna.
The AGM also deliberated on several organisational matters, including members’ dues and the appointment of zonal coordinators, with Eze Ezenta Mark-Anthony of Enugu named as the South-East Zonal Coordinator.
PTONA’s journey began around 2016, culminating in its first Annual General Meeting held at Celia Hotel, Jibowu, Lagos, in September 2019, while its last AGM took place a year later at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, before the association entered a prolonged period of inactivity.
The 2026 AGM therefore marks what members described as a fresh beginning for the body and its renewed determination to become the leading voice of Nigeria’s public transport industry.
