The President-General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Francis Bunu Abi, has received the MARCON Labour Leader of the Year Award for his leadership and contribution to workers’ welfare and industrial harmony in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The award recognised Bunu’s advocacy for maritime workers’ rights, improved conditions of service, collective bargaining, workplace safety and constructive engagement among labour unions, employers and government agencies.
A professional seafarer, Bunu began his maritime career working aboard vessels in Nigeria and abroad before joining union leadership.
His career within MWUN began more than two decades ago when he was elected an ex-officio member of the Port Harcourt Seafarers Unit. He later became chairman of the unit in 2001.
He served as Rivers State District Chairman from 2005 and was re-elected unopposed in 2009. In 2013, he became President of the Seamen and Seafarers Branch, a position he retained for a second term.
Bunu’s experience as an active seafarer informed his advocacy for better wages, stronger workers’ rights and improved conditions of service.
He was elected Deputy President-General of MWUN in 2021 and appointed Dockworkers Regional Chairman by the International Transport Workers’ Federation in 2024.
On 28 March 2025, he emerged unopposed as President-General of MWUN at the union’s Sixth Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Lagos, succeeding Adewale Adeyanju.
His election marked the first time a member of the Seafarers Branch became president-general of the union.
Under his leadership, MWUN has continued to focus on workers’ welfare, collective bargaining, safety awareness, accident compensation and engagement with institutions including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Bunu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rivers State University and has received international training in collective bargaining, employee rights, management, communication, performance improvement and leadership.
The Chairman of the MARCON Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the award reflected Bunu’s long contribution to organised maritime labour and his progression through the ranks of the union.
He said Bunu’s career demonstrated the value of practical industry experience in representing workers and promoting constructive relations within the maritime sector.
The award was presented during the 2026 MARCON National Conference on Sustainable Fishing at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, on 30 September.
The conference, themed “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods,” brought together policymakers, regulators, industry operators, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss the sustainable development of Nigeria’s fisheries sector.