MWUN President-General Francis Bunu Abi Celebrates Seafarers, Calls for Improved Welfare
MWUN President-General Francis Bunu Abi Celebrates Seafarers, Calls for Improved Welfare
By Tunde Ojudun
The President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, has joined the global maritime community in celebrating the Day of the Seafarer, an annual event held worldwide on June 26.
This year’s theme, “Carrying World Trade. Carrying The Risks”, underscores the critical role of seafarers in sustaining global commerce while highlighting the dangers they face amid escalating geopolitical tensions in regions such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and the Red Sea.
Comrade Bunu emphasized that seafarers must not be treated as collateral victims of international conflicts. He praised Nigerian seafarers, and their counterparts across the globe, for their resilience, discipline, and loyalty in navigating hazardous waters under conditions of uncertainty and insecurity.
The MWUN leader expressed deep concern over the state of the Maritime Academy in Oron, lamenting that graduates often lack internationally recognized certifications, leaving them disadvantaged in the job market compared to peers across West Africa. He described the situation as “a serious concern” that contributes to rising unemployment among young maritime professionals.
He also criticized the absence of a national carrier, recalling the pride Nigerian seafarers once had in the now-defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL). According to him, successive governments have failed to revive the shipping line, a development he described as detrimental to Nigeria’s maritime potential.
Comrade Bunu urged the federal government and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to restore Nigeria’s indigenous shipping line, hoisting the national flag once again on vessels that would serve as a source of pride and opportunity for Nigerian seafarers.
He commended practitioners in the maritime industry for their contributions to the sector’s growth and for their partnership with MWUN. He concluded by wishing Nigerians a happy Day of the Seafarer 2026, expressing optimism that the country’s maritime sector will reclaim its rightful place among leading nations.
