The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has pledged its full support for Nigeria’s bid to return to Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, ahead of its 2025 election.

This is even as the union maintained that a vote for Nigeria is a vote for Africa.

The union rallied behind Nigeria recently in Lagos, commending the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its transformative role in maritime security and governance.

This development came after the government of Tanzanian pledged to support Nigeria to regain the prestigious seat it last won sixteen years ago.

Nigeria boasts an extensive 853-kilometer stretch of coastline along the Gulf of Guinea, strategically positioning it to exert considerable influence over regional and global trade dynamics. Its ports handles over 70 percent of goods bound for West Africa, while its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is rich in marine resources and shipping routes.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, the Union’s President General, Comrade Francis Bunu, lauded NIMASA’s significant achievements, particularly in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. He noted that the Agency’s efforts have significantly improved safety and stability on Nigerian waters.

“We now have peace on our waters, and this achievement is commendable. It also enhances regional stability and boosts investor confidence,” Bunu stated, citing NIMASA’s commitment to maritime safety as a key driver of Nigeria’s growing prominence in global maritime affairs.

In a statement signed on Friday by the NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Osagie Edward, Comrade Bunu further pledged that MWUN would mobilize support through its international affiliates to advocate for Nigeria’s IMO Council bid.

Comrade Bunu emphasized that the country has both the expertise and leadership to make meaningful contributions on the global maritime stage.

“Nigeria is long overdue for a return to the IMO Council. A vote for Nigeria is a vote for Africa,” he asserted.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, describing it as a “bold and visionary step” that will unlock investment opportunities and create employment across the maritime sector.

“The creation of the Ministry is a strategic move that aligns with global trends. It opens new economic frontiers and supports our youth through job creation and skills development within the blue economy space,” Bunu stated.

Reaffirming the Union’s commitment to collaboration, the MWUN leader assured stakeholders of continued engagement aimed at fostering industrial harmony, particularly within the dock labour sub-sector.

“Under my leadership, MWUN will continue to work with all maritime stakeholders to ensure peace, progress, and sustained sectoral growth,” he pledged.

As the world looks ahead to the 2025 Day of the Seafarer, under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” Bunu emphasized the importance of sustainable ocean governance and the critical role of seafarers in global trade.

“MWUN remains steadfast in its advocacy for seafarers’ rights, decent work conditions, and responsible stewardship of our ocean resources. Nigerian seafarers deserve our gratitude for their immense contributions to global commerce,” he concluded.

The Council, an organ of IMO, which normally meets once every two years in regular session, is responsible, among other things, for electing the Organization’s 40-Member Council. The Council’s election is scheduled between November and December 2025.