Comrade Francis Bunu Abi emerged President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) at an election that took place on Tuesday night at the Union’s 6th Delegates Conference held in Lagos.
Prior to his emergence as President General, Bunu who returned unopposed during the election was the Deputy President General of the Union.
He succeeds Prince Adewale Adeyanju, whose served in the last eight years and completed his tenure on Friday, 28 March 2025.
The new PG of the MWUN was born on 20 November 1975, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, He has been a prominent figure within the MWUN leadership, serving as the Deputy President General since 2021.
Prior to this, he served two terms as the President of the seafarer branch of MWUN, beginning in 2013.
A seasoned seafarer with over 24 years of experience, Bunu has worked onboard various vessels both within Nigeria and internationally.
The election of Bunu also saw the emergence of other new national officers who would serve alongside him for the next four years; they include: Comrade Robert Eze – National Auditor, Obidoma David. -National Trustee, Raji Abdulateef – National Trustee, Mukhaila Lawal – Treasurer and Boniface Udoh -Vice President. Others are Martina Njoku – Vice President, Ibrahim Ohize – Vice President, Ganiu Dosunmu – Vice President, Funmi Fasan – Deputy President, Taofeek Dahiru – Deputy President, and Abubakar Bello – Deputy President.
In his acceptance speech, Bunu expressed gratitude to the Union for the faith and confidence reposed in him having been elected unopposed.
He thanked his predecessor, Comrade Adeyanju for being instrumental to his emergence and members of the Union for the peace and unity that existed all through the electioneering campaign.
The new President General called on industry stakeholders to collaborate with the Union to take it to even greater heights and sustain the legacies recorded by the Union under Adeyanju.
Bunu also announced Adeyanju as the new Board of Trustees ( BoT) of MWUN in line with the union’s Constitution.
Earlier, stakeholders gathered to shower accolades on the former President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju. The event which was attended by the crème-de-la-crème of the maritime industry also saw the presentation of awards to deserving maritime operators who had worked and supported the union in the past eight years.
The event was graced by maritime industry bigwigs including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Chairperson of ENL Terminal, Olori Vicky Haastrup, represented by Mr Mark Walsh, and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero.
Also in attendance were; Secretary, International Transport Workers Federation, ITF, Africa Region, Mohammed Safiyano, representatives of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State and Delta State Government, National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Emenike Nwokeoji and former President of the Association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, President of Stevedores Association, Bolaji Sunmola, President of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) Bunmi Olumekun among others.
The Union also unveiled its book titled; The History of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, 1996-2024, where the Union raked-in over N52 Million support.
Speaking, the outgone President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju reflected on his last eight years in office, and acknowledged that the journey had not been easy.
“However, I am proud to announce that we have kept our promises and oaths, despite being faced with hurdles that seemed undefeatable. I dare say we were able to do this with support from government, our members, and various management/stakeholders. For this, we are grateful, and it is to the gift of you all who solidly stood by my side that I owe my deepest appreciation,” he said
Adeyanju called on members from the four branches of MWUN to work closely with his successor, urging the new national executives to imbibe and cultivate the spirit of team work.
According to him, Comrade Francis Bunu’s administration has what it takes to surpass the past administration, considering the caliber of personalities in the new executives.
He appealed to members of the Union to support Bunu whom he described as son, friend and brother that has the capacity to perform.
