ITF, MWUN Call Out FG Over Delay Of Aged Seafarers’ Pension, Promise To Mount Pressure On Finance Ministry

On Jun 30, 2025

Deputy President Nigerian Labour Congress NLC Comrade Adewale Adeyanju

By Roland Ekama

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and its affiliate, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), have once again appealed to the federal government, through the Ministry of Finance, to pay the long-overdue benefits and entitlements for aged seafarers.

This appeal comes barely one year after the aged seafarers embarked on a verification exercise held in Surulere, Lagos.

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Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the recently concluded 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Vice President ITF Global , Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, expressed concern over the delay in payment for the senior citizens, adding that all necessary documentation has been completed.

Adeyanju, who is also the Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), expressed optimism that the pensions will be paid under the current administration of MWUN, while urging the Bola Tinubu administration to help the senior seamen enjoy the fruits of their labour.

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According to him, “We are very worried over the non-payment to these seafarers, but I believe very soon the new President General will resolve this issue.

“The ministry has not engaged the union on the best way forward for the payment, but I believe they will pay them soon. My worry is that some of these aged seafarers are dying by the day, and this is not good.”

Similarly, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu, noted that the union is on top of the matter and affirmed that payment will be made soon.

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*President General MWUN Comrade Francis Bunu and Branch President Seamen NIWA and Water Transport, Comrade Sunday Avoseh at the recently held 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Port Harcourt.*

Bunu reiterated that some union leaders and branch officers recently engaged the ministry in fruitful discussions.

He expressed hope regarding the disbursement of the pension for the aged seafarers, adding that seamen should see MWUN as the vehicle of hope concerning pension payments.

The President General further appealed to the government to save the lives of the senior citizens who have served the country in the past.

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Bunu who is a seafarer and former branch President Seamen Branch pointed out that: “We are appealing to the federal government to expedite action for the payment of their gratuity and pension. Right now, the matter is with the Ministry of Finance, so it is almost at the final stage.

“We met with the Ministry of Finance and have already completed that stage of engagement, but as we speak, they are working on it.”

Re-elected President of the Seamen/NIWA and Water Transport Branch, Comrade Sunday Avoseh, lamented that the issues concerning the seafarers have been ongoing, adding that the Ministry of Finance should assist the aged seafarers.

Avoseh stated that the federal government has the final authority over the payment but stressed that the union will continue to mount pressure on the ministry to pay their gratuity and pension.