L-R: President-General of the Maritime Workers’Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu; Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Jibril Abba and Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Engr. Ibrahim Abbo
Umar during the 2025 Day of the Dockworker Celebration in Lagos.
In line with its commitment to improving the welfare and working conditions of Nigerian dockworkers, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has hosted the 2025 edition of the Day of the Dockworker in Lagos.
Held under the theme, “Safe Port, Safe Ship,” the annual event underscored the importance of safety and welfare in the nation’s maritime sector while spotlighting government initiatives to enhance labour standards at Nigerian ports.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, lauded the dedication and resilience of dockworkers, describing them as pivotal to the nation’s maritime economy. Represented by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Minister stated that dockworkers remain “the first link in the trade chain that fuels our economy and turns the potential of the blue economy into real national growth.”
Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving dockworkers’ welfare and safety, noting that several programmes are underway to strengthen safety practices and build capacity within the maritime workforce.
“Through NIMASA, we are enhancing safety training, improving emergency response capabilities, and advancing professional development schemes,” he said, adding that modern protective equipment has also been provided for dockworkers and riverine transport operators as part of ongoing safety initiatives.
The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the agencies under his supervision—particularly NIMASA—for their continued support and recognition of dockworkers’ contributions.
“It is a great honour to join all dockworkers in celebrating the 3rd edition of Dockworkers Day 2025,” Bunu said. “We deeply appreciate the Honourable Minister for his remarkable efforts in revitalizing Nigeria’s maritime sector and the Minister of Labour and Employment for his steadfast commitment to workers’ welfare and protection.”
In a goodwill message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammadu Dingyadi, was represented by Mr. Emmanuel Igbinosun, Director of Productivity, Measurement and Labour Standards, urged maritime stakeholders to remain committed to ensuring a safe working environment and fair remuneration for dockworkers in accordance with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
Representatives of the NPA, NSC, Nigerian Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), and the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) also delivered goodwill messages, commending dockworkers for their invaluable contribution to Nigeria’s maritime growth and pledging continued collaboration to improve welfare and operational safety across the nation’s ports.
The Day of the Dockworker is an annual initiative spearheaded by NIMASA in partnership with the NPA and NSC, with support from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. It celebrates the vital role of dockworkers in facilitating trade and economic growth while raising awareness about the need for safer and more dignified working conditions in Nigeria’s ports.
