The immediate past President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Prince (Dr) Adewale Adeyanju, has called on the Federal Government and terminal operators to urgently improve the welfare of workers in the new year.
Adeyanju, who is also the Vice President Global of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), described Nigerians as tenacious and long-suffering, having endured years marked by hunger, displacement, job losses and widespread insecurity.
He noted that kidnappings, farmers–herders clashes, unwarranted killings and sexual violence against women, pregnant mothers and teenagers had left many citizens living in fear and uncertainty.
According to him, the high cost of living has compounded the suffering of Nigerians, leaving visible traces of bitterness, sorrow and anguish across the country.
He said 2026 must be a year when government policies begin to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians who survived what he described as a “horrible phase” in the nation’s history.
Adeyanju also decried attacks on worship centres, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria, where Christians and Muslims have been killed in cold blood by terrorists. He said despite the wave of insurgency that characterised 2025 and the hopelessness it brought, Nigerians remained steadfast in their belief that the country would rebound and reclaim its pride of place among the comity of nations.
He said Nigerians had continued to draw strength from unity, endurance and hope, stressing that peace and harmony were only possible through religious tolerance and national cohesion, irrespective of differences in belief, tribe or political inclination.
“Nigeria is our country and we must not tear it apart,” he said, urging citizens to remain united in confronting the nation’s challenges.
The former MWUN leader also commended Nigerian workers for their resilience in the face of harsh economic realities and dwindling purchasing power. He called on the Federal Government to review workers’ wages in 2026 to reflect the rising cost of living, noting that workers’ sacrifices toward national development should not go unrewarded.
In a similar vein, Adeyanju urged terminal operators to review the remuneration and working conditions of dockworkers and seafarers under MWUN, given the prevailing economic situation. He reminded them of the constructive role played by the union’s leadership during the port concessioning process, which contributed to the success of the exercise.
He further called for the return of onboard security gangway men to the nation’s seaports, warning that poor accountability of vessel movements had resulted in huge revenue losses to the country. He urged the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to act swiftly in this regard to boost national revenue.
Adeyanju also appealed to the Federal Government to intensify efforts at quelling insurgency, expressing confidence that steps taken so far by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were in the right direction toward restoring lasting peace.
He called for people-friendly policies that would bring succour to Nigerians and help unite the country after years of pain and disillusionment.
He expressed optimism that 2026 would usher in the much-anticipated renewed hope agenda, leading to economic vibrancy, industrial growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.