The minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for urgent action to ensure that Nigeria keeps pace with global efforts toward environmentally sustainable port operations, warning that the country must not be left behind in the ongoing transition to green ports.
Oyetola made the call on Thursday in Lagos while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Dockworkers Day in Lagos.
The event, themed “Green Ports: Sustainable Practices for Dockworkers,” brought together key maritime industry stakeholders to celebrate dockworkers and discuss the future of sustainable port operations in Nigeria.
The minister, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ikechukwu Onyemekara, said the global maritime industry is rapidly embracing sustainability, climate-conscious operations, and environmentally responsible practices, making it imperative for Nigeria to align with emerging standards.
“Today, we honour a group of professionals whose contributions are often overlooked, yet whose efforts remain indispensable to the efficient functioning of our ports and the nation’s economy,” he said, noting that dockworkers remain the backbone of port operations and trade facilitation.
Oyetola stressed that without the commitment and professionalism of dockworkers, Nigeria’s ports cannot function effectively, adding that their role is critical to cargo handling, vessel servicing and the smooth flow of imports and exports.
Reiterating the federal government’s commitment to workers’ welfare, the minister warned against poor labour practices in the maritime sector, insisting that employers of dock labour must comply with all safety and labour regulations.
“I wish to state unequivocally that the federal government will not tolerate any employer of dock labour who fails to place the welfare, safety and wellbeing of workers at the centre of their operations,” he said.
He added that the era of treating workers as expendable assets was over, stressing that sustainable port operations could only be achieved where workers are protected, respected and empowered.
On the green ports agenda, Oyetola noted that Nigeria must not lag behind in adopting cleaner technologies, improved waste management systems and energy-efficient port operations, which are already being implemented in other maritime nations.
He explained that dockworkers also have a critical role to play in advancing environmental sustainability through proper cargo handling, adherence to safety standards and support for green initiatives within port operations.
Also speaking, the president of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), Alhaji Aminu Umar, said the success of green and smart ports depends largely on the readiness of the workforce.
Umar stressed that Nigeria’s transition to greener ports must not leave dockworkers behind, calling for targeted training and workforce development to prepare workers for emerging technologies and sustainable port operations.
Umar who was represented by the Chamber’s director general, Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, emphasized the need for a comprehensive needs assessment to determine the number of dockworkers requiring training and the specific skills needed to improve productivity and adapt to technological changes.
“We don’t have the data. We need real data to know how many people are actually in need of training and to conduct a proper needs assessment that will identify who requires what kind of training that adds value to their jobs,” Umar said.
According to him, investments in automation, digital systems and environmentally friendly technologies must be matched by investments in human capital to ensure workers benefit from the industry’s transformation.
President of the National Association of Stevedoring Operators (NASO), Bolaji Sunmola, said operational efficiency remains Nigeria’s most practical route to greener ports.
According to him, reducing cargo dwell time, vessel waiting periods and truck congestion around port corridors would deliver immediate environmental benefits by cutting fuel consumption and emissions.
“The carbon that is never emitted is the greenest of all,” Sunmola stated.
He called for the integration of measurable environmental performance standards into Nigeria’s ongoing port modernisation programme, including emissions reduction targets, equipment upgrades, waste management systems and cargo dwell-time benchmarks.
Earlier, deputy national president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, warned that the global shift toward green ports must not result in job losses or worker exclusion.
He noted that automation, renewable energy systems, digital logistics platforms and cleaner cargo-handling technologies are rapidly changing port operations worldwide.
“Any conversation about green ports must place workers at the heart of policy formulation and implementation,” he said, stressing that workers should be equipped with the skills needed to thrive in the changing maritime environment.