The President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies of Nigeria (SASCFAN) has called for urgent reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s shipping and logistics industry, warning that job insecurity, rising operational costs and inconsistent government policies are threatening the sector’s growth.
Speaking during an interview, the union leader said workers in the maritime industry are grappling with inflation, economic hardship and job insecurity, making annual collective bargaining negotiations increasingly important.
He noted that employers are also struggling with escalating operational costs due to frequent policy changes, while some companies continue to delay negotiations on workers’ terminal benefits and discourage employees from joining unions.
He explained that although labour relations have improved through dialogue, more needs to be done to ensure employers respect workers’ rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association. According to him, SASCFAN continues to protect the interests of senior staff by negotiating better working conditions, promoting industrial harmony and equipping members with the skills required for the future of work.
The union leader also advocated comprehensive port modernisation, including the automation and digitalisation of port operations, as well as greater investment in rail infrastructure to support an efficient intermodal transport system linking seaports with inland container depots and commercial centres. He said these measures would reduce cargo congestion, improve efficiency and position Nigeria to compete with leading maritime hubs such as Singapore and Shanghai.
He further urged the Federal Government to adopt stable economic policies and strengthen public-private partnerships to attract more investment into the maritime sector. According to him, multiple taxation, regulatory bottlenecks and policy inconsistency are discouraging investors, many of whom are foreign operators. He stressed that increased government investment in shipping and maritime infrastructure would unlock the sector’s enormous economic potential and create more employment opportunities.
On technology, the labour leader encouraged maritime workers to embrace automation, artificial intelligence and digital technologies through continuous training rather than viewing them as threats to employment. He said technological advancement should be used to improve productivity and efficiency while creating new opportunities for skilled workers. He also welcomed the Federal Government’s move towards a unified electronic cargo manifest platform, describing it as a major step towards simplifying cargo clearance and improving coordination among port agencies.
He added that customer service remains a critical factor in the competitiveness of Nigerian shipping companies, stressing that prompt, efficient and professional service delivery is essential for attracting and retaining clients in an increasingly competitive global maritime industry.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Shipping and Logistics Industry: Labour Relations and the Future of Maritime Logistics – Comrade Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye
