MWUN : Fasan Predicts Female Emergence As Branch President, Bags AMJON Award

On May 6, 2026

By Roland Ekama

Pioneer female Deputy President General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Funmi Fasan, has revealed that women in the labour movement stand a good chance of becoming branch presidents in the near future.

Fasan, a member of the MWUN Shipping Branch and Chairperson of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Nigeria Women Chapter, disclosed this on Wednesday during the presentation of an award to her by members of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) in Lagos.

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She called on women in the labour movement to demonstrate self-dedication and commitment to attaining enviable heights in unionism. Fasan added that the current MWUN President General, Comrade Francis Buna Abi, is a leader who promotes gender equality.
According to her, MWUN is a male-dominated union, but she urged women across its four branches to take union activities seriously, noting that their voices matter in the sector. She explained that promotions of some women by their employers have contributed to lower female participation in MWUN leadership.

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She stressed the need for women in unionism to contribute their quota by attending meetings, seminars, workshops, and symposiums as part of networking strategies toward greater achievements..

The DPG affirmed that”Today is a beautiful day. When I was selected for this honour, I couldn’t attend due to Workers’ Day celebrations,

“It has been a long journey, and it has not been easy because it is a male-dominated sector. Though I am very stubborn, it has been tough. We now have females coming up in unionism, perhaps because I have attained this height.”she added.

While calling for mentorship programmes for women, Fasan noted that MWUN is ready to build capacity for those eager to gain knowledge about union activities, particularly in MWUN

Having spent 30 years in MWUN activities, she reiterated that women have the capacity to attain the highest positions in their respective branches, but emphasized the importance of networking, commitment, and dedication.

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The unionist commended AMJON members for the selection and honour, saying the award was not perceived to be monetized in any form.

**Comrade Funmi Fasan, DPG, MWUN receiving the award from Vice President AMJON comrade Raymond Tedunjaye while the PG MWUN Comrade Francis Bunu Abi looks on**

Also speaking, MWUN President General Comrade Francis Buna Abi commended AMJON for selecting the Deputy President General (DPG), noting that the group is a force to reckon with. He appreciated the foremost maritime media organization for not demanding any form of monetization for the honour, stressing that the award will go down in history for Fasan as the first female DPG.

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Bunu stated that the honour belongs not only to the DPG but to the entire union, adding that it is well deserved. He described Fasan as honest, intelligent, selfless, transparent, and dedicated to union activities, deserving commendation from AMJON for celebrating the first female DPG in a male-dominated environment.

Earlier , Vice President of AMJON , Comrade Raymond Tedunjaye commended Fasan for her contribution in the struggle of unionism.

**National officers of MWUN in a group photograph with the recipient Comrade Funmi Fasan on Wednesday in Lagos during the award presentation by members of AMJON**

The Vice President explained that due diligence was carried out before the approval of Fasan ‘ selection, noting that AMJON will continue to push for professionalism in furtherance to creating awareness for the maritime industry.