By Steve Agbota
Nearly a year after a verification exercise raised hopes of long-overdue pension payments, over 60 aged seafarers who once served under the defunct Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) are still waiting for relief. Frustration is mounting as they call on the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to intensify its engagement with the federal government to secure their entitlements.
The verification, which took place in April 2024 in Lagos, was seen as a step toward justice for the aging maritime veterans. However, the delay in disbursement has left many disillusioned, especially as the health and financial conditions of the seafarers continue to deteriorate.
“Some of our colleagues have died waiting for this money. It’s disheartening that after serving this country, we are left to suffer,” one of the seafarers lamented during a recent meeting in Lagos.
According to information gathered by Daily Sun, over 22 of the aged seamen have died in the past two weeks—many of them unable to afford medical treatment. Among those still alive, several are battling serious health conditions. At least two are reportedly blind due to lack of access to optical care.
The group is now appealing directly to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and instruct the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, to ensure the release of their pensions before the end of April. They described the delay as both heartbreaking and unacceptable, given the government’s prior commitment.
Despite their grievances, the seafarers expressed confidence in the new leadership of MWUN, particularly President General Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, whom they praised for his deep understanding of the seafaring community and his longstanding commitment to their welfare.
“We believe that with Comrade Bunu at the helm, our cries will not fall on deaf ears,” said one of the retirees. “We trust his leadership and are hopeful he will push our case further with the federal government.”
In response, Comrade Bunu reassured the senior citizens that their plight has not been forgotten. He disclosed that 85 percent of the disbursement process has already been completed and that all necessary documentation has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
“I want to assure you that the Ministry will soon put smiles on your faces,” Bunu said. “Some of your members will join our national officers and branch executives to meet with the Finance Minister in Abuja once a meeting window opens. We are not resting—we’re determined to see this through.”
He also commended his predecessor for ensuring the success of the 2024 verification exercise and reaffirmed that the new MWUN leadership remains committed to finalizing the pension disbursement.
Speaking earlier, the Branch President of the Seamen and Water Transport Branch of MWUN, Comrade Sunday Avoseh, confirmed that strategic consultations were already underway. He said the union held a closed-door meeting on Sunday, April 13, 2025, to chart a path forward and plan how best to engage the Finance Ministry.
“We have been working behind the scenes, and I can tell you that all your entitlements and pensions will be paid very soon. The union has been instrumental in getting us to this point, and we won’t stop now,” Avoseh assured.
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