MWUN targets new CBA for 2026 as Bunu rewards staff with cash gifts at end-year celebration

The leadership of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has promised to secure improved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) for workers across all four branches of the union in 2026.

The President-General of the Union, Comrade Francis Bunu, made this disclosure during the Union’s end-of-year celebration held over the weekend in Lagos.

Bunu emphasized that year 2026 would be a year of massive growth for maritime labor, noting that the union’s core mandate remains the welfare of its members, which will be achieved through strategic consultations with employers of labour  and manpower development.

“Our core mandate as a Union is what we offer to our people. We are very hopeful for tremendous growth in 2026.

“With the Category C seat Nigeria secured in the last IMO Council election, we are confident the maritime industry will experience a boost.

“If the maritime industry experiece a boost, it means all other things we fall in place for us. But as far as I’m concerned, workers should expect tremendous growth with good Collective Bargaining Agreement across board for dockworkers, seafarers, shipping, and NPA workers, ” he said.

Reflecting on the outgoing year, Comrade Bunu described 2025 as a fruitful and memorable period for the Union.

He highlighted the successful transition that saw his emergence as President-General, alongside peaceful elections at national, branch, and district level.

He said, “Year 2025 was a very good year for Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.
We had the national elections this year successfully- the transition that brought me in as the President General of the Union.

“We have also done all the branch elections this same year. We have done all the district elections across the country successful. So, for me, it’s a very fruitful year for us because we have made tremendous improvements in the area of peace. If there is no peace, there is nothing you can achieve.

” I give kudos to industry players like NIMASA, NPA, Shippers Council, and NIWA for their roles in ensuring a calm and beneficial industry for all.

Addressing the refusal of some companies working at the port—including Crown Flour Mill, to allow for workers’ unionization, Comrade Bunu said the Union has commenced engagement with the companies, noting that meetings have been scheduled for the second or third week of January 2026 to resolve all grey areas.

Regarding the recent upsurge in drug seizures at Apapa and Tin Can ports, Bunu urged security agencies to look beyond arresting crew members and detaining ships.

He called for stronger bilateral agreements with countries of origin to stop the flow of illicit drugs at the source.

A major highlight of the event was the recognition of outstanding staff and executives, a gesture described as the first of its kind in the union’s history.

Bunu said the gesture was to promote discipline and motivate members.

Several staff members were rewarded with cash gifts including Comrade John Ekpo (DSG, Admin/Personnel), John Kessy (Chief Driver), and Comrade Rotimi (AGS, Dockworkers) with each receiving N100,000 for their dedication and punctuality.

In the Best Dressed category, awards of N100,000 each were presented to Comrade Kenneth Ibanga (DSG, Protocol), Comrade Mathew Adele (GS, Dockworkers), and female staff members Akala Mistura, Funke Apesin, and Serifat Ogbede.

Comrade Taofeek Adeleke was honored as the Best Overall Staff for 2025, while Comrade Martina Njoku (VPG) won N50,000 as the best female dancer in the dancing competition.