More than three decades after the collapse of the Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), retired seafarers who once served aboard the nation’s flagship carrier are renewing calls for the payment of their outstanding pensions and entitlements.
The appeal was made through the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), which said many of the affected retirees have spent years waiting for benefits they earned during their service to the country.
According to the union, several verification exercises have already been conducted to establish the identities and records of the former seafarers. One of such exercises took place in Lagos about three years ago with the involvement of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Despite these efforts, the retirees are yet to receive the payments they have long awaited.
MWUN expressed concern over the worsening condition of many of the former sailors, describing their situation as both painful and unacceptable. The union noted that a number of the retirees are advanced in age and currently face serious health and financial challenges.
Some are reportedly battling ailments such as stroke and vision impairment, while others are confined to wheelchairs. The union also disclosed that several former seafarers have died while waiting for their entitlements to be paid.
President-General of the union, Francis Bunu, said the continued delay in settling the obligations undermines the sacrifices made by workers who dedicated years of their lives to Nigeria’s maritime sector.
He stressed that the affected seafarers played important roles in sustaining the operations of the country’s former national shipping fleet and deserved dignity and support in retirement.
The NNSL, once regarded as a symbol of Nigeria’s maritime ambitions, ceased operations more than three decades ago. Since then, issues surrounding unpaid pensions and benefits have remained a recurring concern among former employees.
The union called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to expedite action on the matter and ensure that the outstanding obligations are settled without further delay.
For many of the retirees, the appeal is not only about money but also about recognition of years of service rendered to the nation. The union warned that continued delays could further worsen the hardship faced by ageing former seafarers and their families.
