Dockworkers have threatened to shut down ports nationwide over terminal operators’ failure to commence negotiations on the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) agreement for their welfare packages and remuneration.

The Dockworkers Branch of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) said the ports would be shutdown next week following delay tactics by terminal operators that fail to honour the previous NJIC agreement that expired at the end of May 2026, with revised rates expected to take effect from June 1.

Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday, President of the Dockworkers Branch, Comrade Bolaji Agboola, said workers were growing frustrated, warning that port operations could be disrupted unless negotiations began urgently.

Agboola said workers’ anger was mounting over the prolonged delay, raising the prospect of an industrial crisis in the maritime sector.

He warned that the branch leadership was finding it increasingly difficult to contain workers’ agitation over the failure of terminal operators to negotiate a new agreement.

He maintained that dockworkers should already be receiving revised rates following expiration of the previous agreement and urged terminal operators to begin negotiations without further delay.

The dockworkers called on the Federal Government to intervene through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), urging the agency to ensure that terminal operators commenced negotiations before the close of work this week.

Agboola also cautioned that port operations across the country could be disrupted next week if the dispute remained unresolved.

According to him, the branch leadership has continued to engage workers in a bid to prevent an escalation but noted that their frustration was growing amid the prolonged delay.

The branch president also accused operators of terminals and jetties covered by the NJIC agreement of delaying discussions on a review of workers’ rates.