The President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu, has joined the global maritime community in celebrating the 2026 Day of the Seafarer, while calling for improved welfare, safety, and career development for seafarers.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Bunu described seafarers as the backbone of global trade, noting that they continue to work under difficult and risky conditions to keep goods moving across international shipping routes. He said this year’s theme, “Carrying World Trade. Carrying the Risks,” is a reminder of the growing dangers seafarers face in strategic maritime corridors affected by conflict and insecurity.
Bunu said seafarers must not be allowed to become collateral victims of geopolitical tensions. He commended Nigerian seafarers and their counterparts around the world for their resilience, discipline, commitment, and professionalism despite the hazards associated with the occupation.
He also raised concern over maritime manpower development in Nigeria, particularly the situation facing graduates of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron. According to him, many graduates are sent into the industry without the certifications needed to compete with their counterparts in West Africa and beyond, making employment more difficult and limiting their prospects.
The MWUN leader also decried the absence of a national carrier, recalling the old Nigerian National Shipping Line as a vital platform for employment and capacity development. He said Nigeria, with its maritime potential, should not still be without an indigenous shipping line flying the national flag.
Bunu urged the Federal Government and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to take concrete steps toward reviving a national shipping line, saying such a move would create jobs, restore lost opportunities, and strengthen the country’s maritime sector.
He expressed confidence that with the right reforms and investment, Nigeria can rise to take its rightful place among leading maritime nations.