The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and shipping companies under the Shipping, Shipping Agencies, Clearing and Forwarding Employers Association (SACFEA) have reached an agreement on setting minimum standards for workers’ conditions in the shipping industry. This agreement comes after nearly 20 years of struggle and unsuccessful negotiations.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) played an important role in helping both sides finally agree on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which now sets the standard for workers’ pay and benefits in Nigeria’s shipping industry.
The signing event was attended by key figures, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CEOs of major shipping companies in Nigeria, MWUN President-General Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Union Secretary-General Felix Akingboye, and other MWUN officials.
Minister Oyetola highlighted that the agreement shows the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and welfare.
He stated, “This agreement is a clear sign of our commitment to ensuring workers’ rights are respected in the industry. We will focus on safety and health standards, providing workers with the training and resources they need to work safely.
Having uniform standards will ensure fair treatment across the maritime sector, preventing exploitation and encouraging ethical practices.”

Abiola Taiye Oluwabunmi, an ambitious and driven individual, is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin. Her journalistic pursuits are evident in her love for reporting, photography, and content writing. She has gained valuable experience in the world of business as a result of her work with X Culture International Organizations, where she excelled in market strategy and analysis, research, SWOT analysis, and various other business-related tasks.
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