Maritime stakeholders have called for a worker-friendly approach to Nigeria’s transition towards green port operations, insisting that efforts to modernise and decarbonise the nation’s seaports must safeguard jobs while promoting environmental sustainability.
The call was made at the 2026 Dockworkers’ Day celebration organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) in Lagos.
The event, themed “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,” brought together government officials, labour leaders, terminal operators, and maritime industry stakeholders.
Participants stressed the need for a structured transition framework that balances environmental objectives with workers’ welfare, skills development, and employment security.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and immediate past President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, described dockworkers as the backbone of port operations and urged stakeholders not to exclude them from the technological and environmental changes reshaping the maritime industry.
Adeyanju advocated a “just transition” framework that would enable workers to benefit from the shift towards automated and environmentally sustainable port systems through targeted investments in training, skills development, and job protection measures.
Represented by the Deputy President-General of MWUN, Comrade Eze Robert, Adeyanju said environmental sustainability and workers’ welfare must go hand in hand.
“As Vice President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, I strongly advocate for a just transition. This means environmental sustainability and workers’ welfare must go hand in hand,” he said.
According to him, a just transition requires investments in workers’ training and skills development, protection of existing jobs while creating new green employment opportunities, provision of safe and healthy working environments, social dialogue among government, employers and unions, as well as equitable access to technological advancements.
He also urged dockworkers to comply with safety regulations, actively participate in sustainability initiatives, and continuously upgrade their skills to remain relevant in the evolving port environment.
In his keynote address, President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Aminu Umar, represented by the Chamber’s Director-General, Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, highlighted the growing importance of green ports in the global maritime sector.
He noted that ports around the world are increasingly adopting cleaner energy solutions, smart logistics systems, and environmentally responsible operational practices, adding that Nigeria must align with these global standards to remain competitive.
According to him, dockworkers play a pivotal role in the success of green port initiatives, particularly in cargo handling operations, efficiency enhancement, and compliance with environmental standards.
Earlier in his welcome address, SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, described the theme of the event as timely, noting that the global maritime industry is embracing environmentally responsible practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner operations, conserving energy, and supporting sustainable economic growth.
He emphasized the need to equip dockworkers with the skills, technology, and welfare support required to adapt to emerging industry trends.
“As we advocate for greener ports, we must ensure that dockworkers are equipped with the necessary training, technology, and welfare support required to thrive in an evolving maritime environment,” Ebosele said.
In separate goodwill messages, other stakeholders observed that Nigeria’s ongoing port rehabilitation and modernisation programmes provide a unique opportunity to embed sustainability principles into infrastructure development, equipment deployment, and operational processes.
They stressed that the transition to green ports must be inclusive and should leverage technological advancement to create new opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled maritime workers rather than displace them.
The event concluded with a unanimous call for stronger collaboration among government agencies, labour unions, and private sector operators to ensure that Nigeria’s journey towards green ports delivers lasting benefits for trade facilitation, environmental protection, and dockworkers’ welfare.
