2025 Day of the Dockworker: Stakeholders prioritize safety as Oyetola hails dockworkers’ role in maritime growth

R-L: President-General of the Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu; Rep of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Emmanuel Nosakhare Igbinosun; Representation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (DG, NIMASA) and Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar during the 2025 Day of the Dockworker Celebration in Lagos.

Nigeria’s maritime sector took centre stage on Wednesday as government agencies, industry stakeholders, and union leaders gathered in Lagos to celebrate the 2025 Day of the Dockworker — a national event dedicated to honouring the resilience, professionalism, and invaluable contributions of dockworkers to the nation’s blue economy.

Organized by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), this year’s celebration was themed “Safe Port, Safe Ship.” The event emphasized the crucial importance of safety, welfare, and fair labour practices in sustaining a productive and globally competitive maritime industry.

Dockworkers: The Unsung Backbone of Maritime Commerce

Declaring the event open, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, commended Nigerian dockworkers for their indispensable role in driving the growth of the maritime and logistics sector.

Represented by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Oyetola described dockworkers as “the lifeblood of port operations” whose labour sustains the flow of global trade and supports Nigeria’s economic stability.

“Today reminds us that our dockworkers are vital to creating a maritime industry where safety is assured and productivity increases,” Oyetola said. “You are the first link in the trade chain that fuels our economy and transforms the potential of the blue economy into tangible national growth.”

The Minister noted that the Federal Government, through NIMASA, has rolled out a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare and safety of dockworkers. These include the provision of modern protective equipment, capacity-building programmes, and emergency response training to align Nigeria’s port operations with global best practices.

“Through NIMASA, we are investing in training, safety infrastructure, and professional development to ensure that every Nigerian dockworker operates in a secure and dignified environment,” Oyetola added.

Union Commends Reforms, Calls for Sustained Support

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, applauded the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the agencies under his supervision for their steadfast commitment to improving dockworkers’ welfare.

“It is a great honour to celebrate the third edition of Dockworkers Day,” Bunu said. “On behalf of all dockworkers, we express our gratitude to NIMASA, the NPA, the Shippers’ Council, terminal operators, and other maritime stakeholders for recognizing the essential role we play in sustaining Nigeria’s maritime industry.”

He further lauded the government’s efforts to revitalize the maritime sector, while urging continued collaboration to enhance safety, job security, and fair compensation for workers at all ports nationwide.

Government Reiterates Commitment to Global Labour Standards

Delivering his goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Igbinosun, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that dockworkers’ rights are protected in accordance with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

“A safe and fairly compensated workforce is key to industrial harmony and national productivity,” he said. “All stakeholders must continue to uphold international safety and welfare standards in the maritime sector.”

Stakeholders Unite for Safer Ports

Representatives of key maritime institutions — including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), and Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) — also commended dockworkers for their dedication despite challenging working conditions.

They pledged to collaborate more closely with the Federal Government and NIMASA in improving safety infrastructure, promoting training, and ensuring adequate remuneration for all port workers.

“The safety and welfare of dockworkers are directly linked to port efficiency and national trade performance,” one stakeholder noted. “A safer port means a safer nation.”

Recognizing the Heroes Behind the Cranes

The Day of the Dockworker, now in its third edition, is an annual observance jointly hosted by NIMASA, NPA, and NSC, with the support of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The event aims to celebrate the often-unsung heroes of port operations while promoting awareness about their rights, safety, and working conditions.

In line with this year’s theme, “Safe Port, Safe Ship,” the celebration reinforced the message that a thriving maritime industry depends on the safety, skill, and dignity of the dockworkers who keep Nigeria’s ports running around the clock.

By emphasizing safety, welfare, and collaboration, the 2025 Day of the Dockworker reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to building a maritime workforce that is not only productive but also protected — a cornerstone for Nigeria’s growing blue economy.