By Abigail Odubela
Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector have called for a worker- friendly transition to green ports operations, stressing that efforts to modernise and decarbonise the nation’s seaports must not come at the expense of jobs.
The stakeholders made the call in Lagos on Thursday during the 2026 Dockworkers Day celebration organised by the Shipping Correspondents Association of Nigeria (SCAN), held under the theme “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers.”
Participants at the event, which brought together government officials, labour leaders, terminal operators, and industry stakeholders emphasized the need for a structured transition that balances environmental sustainability with workers’ welfare, skills development and job security.
Speaking, Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress and immediate past President General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria ( MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju said dockworkers remain the backbone of port operations and must not be excluded from technological and environmental reforms shaping modern port development.
He called for a ‘just transition’ framework that will ensure workers benefit from the shift to automated and environmentally friendly port system through investment in training, skills development, and job protection mechanisms.
“As Vice President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), I strongly advocate for a Just Transition. This means that environmental sustainability and workers’ welfare must go hand in hand.
“A just transition requires: investment in workers’ training and skills development. Protection of existing jobs while creating new green employment opportunities.
“Safe and healthy working environment. Social dialogue between government, employers, and unions as well as fair access to technological advancements without marginalizing workers, ” Adeyanju who was represented by the Deputy President General, MWUN, Comrade Eze Robert said.
Adeyanju also tasked dockworkers on adherence to safety standards and active participation in sustainability programmes, as well as skill upgrade.
In his keynote address, President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Aminu Umar, who was also represented by the Chambers Director General, Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, highlighted the strategic importance of green ports in the evolving global maritime economy.
He noted that ports worldwide are increasingly adopting cleaner energy systems, smart logistics technologies, and environmentally responsible operational models, stressing that Nigeria must align with these global standards to remain competitive.
The NCS boos added that dockworkers play a central role in ensuring the success of green port initiatives, particularly in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance.
In his welcome address, President of SCAN, Moses Ebosele described the Dockworkers Day theme as timely, noting that the global maritime industry is increasingly embracing environmentally responsible practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting cleaner operations, conserving energy, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.
He stressed that as Nigeria moves towards greener ports, workers must be equipped with the necessary skills, technology, and welfare support needed to adapt to emerging trends and evolving operational requirements.
“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,” he said.
in their seperate goodwill remarks, other stakeholders who spoke at the event noted that Nigeria’s ongoing port rehabilitation and modernisation programmes present a critical opportunity to integrate sustainability principles into infrastructure development, equipment deployment, and operational processes.
They further highlighted that the transition to green ports must be inclusive, ensuring that technological advancement does not lead to job losses but instead creates new opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled maritime workers.
The event concluded with a unified call for strengthened collaboration among government agencies, labour unions, and private sector operators to ensure that Nigeria’s transition toward green ports delivers long-term benefits for trade facilitation, environmental protection, and dockworker welfare.
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