R-L: Comrade Francis Bunu (MWUN President-General); Mr. Emmanuel Nosakhare Igbinosun (Rep. Minister of Labour & Employment); Dr. Dayo Mobereola (DG, NIMASA / Rep. Minister of Marine & Blue Economy); and Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar (ED, Engineering & Technical Services, NPA) during the 2025 Day of the Dockworker celebration in Lagos.
In furtherance of efforts to enhance safety and welfare standards within Nigeria’s ports, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has commemorated the 2025 Day of the Dockworker in Lagos under the theme “Safe Port, Safe Ship.”
The annual event underscored the crucial role of dockworkers in sustaining Nigeria’s maritime trade while spotlighting government initiatives to improve their working conditions and professional capacity.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, lauded dockworkers for their resilience and contributions to national development. Represented by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to safety reforms and capacity building across Nigeria’s ports.
“Our dockworkers are the first link in the trade chain that drives our economy,” Oyetola said. “Through NIMASA, the Federal Government is advancing safety training, modern protective equipment, emergency response systems, and professional development to ensure safer and more productive port operations.”
The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, in his remarks, commended NIMASA, NPA, NSC, and terminal operators for their continued partnership and recognition of dockworkers’ vital role in the maritime value chain. He also praised the leadership of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry for revitalizing the sector and improving labour welfare.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Igbinosun, urged stakeholders to maintain global best practices in dock labour operations. He emphasized adherence to International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards on safe work environments and fair remuneration.
Other goodwill messages came from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), and the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), all of whom pledged continued support for improved dockworker welfare and safety compliance across Nigerian ports.
The Day of the Dockworker, organized by NIMASA in collaboration with NPA and NSC, aims to honour the dedication of dockworkers and raise awareness about the often-hazardous nature of their work while reinforcing collective responsibility for safer ports.
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