- President-General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu (left), Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Fatai Adeyemi, Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, Jibril Abba, and Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Nigeria Ports Authority, Ibrahim Umar, during the 2025 Day of the Dockworker in Lagos
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Maritime stakeholders, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, have commended Nigeria dockworkers for their incredible work in lifting the economy, using the occasion of the 2025 Day of the Dockworker in Lagos to fete them.
The event was hosted by the ministry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), alongside the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), under the theme, “Safe Port, Safe Ship.”
It sought to recognise the important, often hazardous job of dockworkers, as well as raise awareness about their working conditions, while highlighting government’s initiatives to improve safety standards.
In his keynote address, the minister commended the dockworkers for their incredible work, stating that their contribution is at the core of Nigeria’s maritime economy.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the event was a reminder that the “dockworkers are vital to creating a maritime industry where safety is assured and productivity increases.
“As dockworkers, you are the first link in the trade chain that fuels our economy and turns the potential of the blue economy into real national growth.”
He explained that the federal government has initiated safety and capacity-building programmes, including provision of modern protective equipment for dockworkers and riverine transport operators, as part of its commitments.
The minister added that the government “is enhancing safety training, improving emergency response capabilities, and enhancing professional development schemes.”
Also speaking, the President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, praised the minister and the agencies under his supervision, especially NIMASA, as well as terminal operators, stevedores and all other maritime stakeholders for their commitment to dockworkers’ welfare.
He also thanked them for hosting the event and recognising the vital role of dockworkers in sustaining the nation’s maritime industry.
The MWUN leader further Oyetola for his “remarkable efforts in revitalising Nigeria’s maritime sector,” and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, “for his steadfast commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerian workers.”
On his part, Dingyadi, who was represented by the Director of Productivity, Measurement and Labour Standards in the ministry, Emmanuel Igbinosun, urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the ideals of safe work environment and appropriate remuneration for dockworkers, in line with the International Labour Organisation standards.
In their separate goodwill messages, NPA, NSC, Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators, as well as the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria also commended dockworkers for their contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry and recommitted to ensuring enhanced welfare and safer working environment for them.
