The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) came into being in 1933 as Motor Transport Union (MTU) and later under the name, Nigeria Motor Transport Owners Association (NMTOA) but was transformed in 1978 by the restructuring of the Nation’s Labour Movement/Organization under the former military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo and was established by Decree 21 & 22 of 1978 as amended. It was published in the Federal Republic of Nigeria official Gazette No: 6, Volume 65 of 8th February 1978. It is also listed as No: 55 in schedule 3, to the Trade Unions (amendment) Act 1978 published in the supplement of official gazette No: 36 Volume 65 of 17th August, 1978. Part A at 121 under the “LIST OF REGISTERED AND RECOGNISED TRADE UNIONS”

It is listed as No: 29, 3rd schedule, Part C, of the Trade Union Acts Cap. T-14 laws of the Federation 2004. RTEAN is also listed as No: 19, Guidelines on Nigeria Labour Laws and Policies of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. RTEAN which is listed under Senior Staff/Employers’ Associations was given specific mandates in its approved constitution as the umbrella body of all owners of vehicles operating in Nigeria for commercial purposes, which include but not limited to:- in Articles 3.

1. (a) To secure the membership of all Road Transport Employers in Nigeria.
2. (b) To foster the spirit of economic and social co-operations in all individual Road Transporters.
3. (c) To organize or participate in periodic road safety campaign aiming at educating those actively involved in road transport, particularly the drivers on their civic responsibilities to the travelling masses, and to see they understand and adhere to the existing traffic. Regulations and code.
4. (d) The Association shall have absolute control and authority, subject to the law or bye law of the land over all motor parks activities throughout Nigeria to facilitate orderliness and ensure complete welfare of the passengers and the safety of their luggage.
5. (e) The Association shall not encourage, but rather work for the total elimination of touting at all motor parks in Nigeria

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) operates on all types of vehicles used on commercial purpose for the movement of goods and services across the country and beyond.

The Association has an organizational structure that operates from Unit, Chapel, State, Zone to National level. It’s operations cut across the 774 local government in Nigeria and has membership strength of over sixteen (16) million members.

RTEAN is currently led by Alhaji (Dr) Musa Mohammed (Maitakobi 1) in the capacity of Executive National President.