Settle disengaged seafarers before floating new shipping line, Adeyanju tells Minister on Workers’ Day

As Nigerian workers marked the 2026 May Day celebration, the immediate past President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has renewed his appeal to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to facilitate the payment of pensions owed to aged seafarers disengaged following the liquidation of the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL).

Adeyanju made the call on Friday while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja, describing the prolonged delay as unjust, especially after affected retirees completed a verification exercise in Lagos two years ago.

He said the occasion of Workers’ Day should serve as a reminder for government to address the welfare of retired workers, particularly former seafarers who contributed significantly to the nation’s maritime development.

“We are using this Workers’ Day celebration to appeal to the government to ensure that these pensioners are paid in line with existing court judgments. The government should expedite action because these old seafarers are dying every day,” he said.

According to him, a committee had already been set up and the matter is currently before the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. He urged the minister, whom he described as worker-friendly, to urgently intervene and ensure the payment of their entitlements.

Adeyanju argued that plans to establish a new national shipping line would be difficult to justify while former employees of the defunct NNSL remain unpaid.

“There is no arrangement you can put in place to float a new shipping line when those who pioneered the profession and served in the old national carrier have not been settled. Let the government pay them what belongs to them,” he stated.

He further appealed to the minister to adopt the same approach used in settling outstanding issues involving dockworkers to resolve the seafarers’ pension matter.

The former MWUN leader who is also the Vice President, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Global, warned that failure to address the issue could attract negative attention from the ITF, noting that global labour bodies closely monitor workers’ welfare and industrial justice.

On port operations, Adeyanju renewed calls for the restoration of onboard gangway security men and tally clerks function, saying their absence has encouraged under-declaration of cargo tonnage and other sharp practices at the ports.

He said proper cargo documentation and monitoring remain essential to blocking revenue leakages and ensuring transparency in port operations.

Speaking further on workers’ welfare, Adeyanju, who is also Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Chairman of the 2026 May Day Organising Committee, said many Nigerian workers are facing severe economic hardship.

He lamented that rising fuel prices and inflation have eroded wages, leaving many workers unable to meet basic family needs.

“The wages of workers can hardly sustain them today. Many are struggling to put food on the table. Workers in both the public and private sectors deserve better consideration and improved remuneration,” he said.