Stakeholders Speak On Sustainable Port Operations, Workers Welfare

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, immediate past president general of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Adewale Adeyanju, and President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Alhaji Aminu Umar, are among key industry stakeholders expected to lead discussions on sustainable port operations at the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN) Dockworkers’ Day 2026.

The event, organised by SCAN, is scheduled to take place on June 4 at Rockview Hotels, Apapa, Lagos, at 10:00 a.m., with a focus on promoting sustainability practices and improving welfare standards within Nigeria’s maritime labour force.

This year’s edition, themed “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,” is expected to drive conversations around environmentally responsible port operations, adoption of efficiency-enhancing technologies, and improved working conditions for dockworkers across Nigerian seaports.

According to SCAN, the initiative is aimed at aligning Nigeria’s port operations with global environmental standards while ensuring dockworkers are adequately prepared for the transition to greener and more technology-driven maritime systems.

In a joint statement signed by SCAN President, Moses Ebosele, and Organising Committee Chairman, Yusuf Babalola, the association stated that Dockworkers’ Day remains an important platform for recognising the economic contributions of dockworkers while addressing emerging environmental and operational challenges within the maritime sector.

“SCAN Dockworkers’ Day serves as a platform to acknowledge the essential contributions of dockworkers to our economy, while also addressing the urgent need for sustainable practices in our ports,” the statement noted.

The association added that as the maritime industry continues to evolve, there is a growing need to equip dockworkers with the skills and tools required to adapt to green port initiatives and ongoing digital transformation in global shipping operations.

Umar, president of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while Adeyanju, who also serves as Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), will chair the occasion.

Goodwill messages are expected from the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the acting managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), as well as other stakeholders across the maritime value chain.

SCAN also urged government agencies, shipping companies, the Nigeria Customs Service, freight forwarders, and other industry stakeholders to actively participate in the event and contribute to building a more sustainable and worker-friendly port environment.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to promoting collaboration, improving dockworkers’ welfare, and deepening awareness around sustainable port operations in Nigeria.