Lekki Freeport Terminal Increases Dockworkers Salaries by 150%, As MWUN, NPA Senior Staff Union Sign CBA

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) on Friday 14th August 2026 signed a mouthwatering 150percent increase in the salaries and allowances of Dockworkers working at the terminal, even as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was signed jointly by the President General of Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) Comrade Francis Bunu Abi and his counterpart at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) under the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) Comrade Akinola Bodunde.

The Chief Executive Officer of LFT, Capt Jedrzej Mierzewsky led other top management team of the terminal to the signing ceremony held at the Raddisson Blue Hotel in Lagos.

While fielding questions from maritime journalists at the event, the President General of MWUN, Comrade Francis Bunu disclosed that the union was able to achieve the 150percent increment through dialogue and painstaking efforts and discussion with LFT management.

He commended and thanked the management of LFT led by Capt Jedrzej Mierzewsky for having the interest of Nigerian workers at heart, even as he revealed that the terminal remains the best in terms of workers remuneration in Nigeria today.

“We have gotten 150% increase in workers salaries. It has never happened before. One thing about negotiation is for you as a union to tell management the reality, and we as Africans, we earn lesser than our colleagues in other climes, let management compare our salaries with what they are paying workers at other ports, we are doing the same job, the same terminal, using the same cranes, same office and ideas, so why are you paying me lesser than somebody in Ivory Coast or Philippines?

“So, for us, we keep telling management that Africa is not where you come and get cheap labour, it is where you come and get quality labour, if you want me to work like those in US, then pay me like those who are in US. For us to achieve this, it is about focus, and we don’t compromise, our integrity as trade union leaders is at stake, and what we as trade union focus on, is our members welfare, every other thing is just an addition” Comrade Bunu said

Comrade Bunu also assured that the general Dockworkers NJIC (National Joint Industrial Council) spareheaded by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) would start off very soon, and this would further ensure increment in workers welfare across board.
According to him, as of today, the 150% increment is still highest in workers payment in any Nigerian port terminal presently.

He said that the feat was recorded seamlessly without need for use of force, protest or shutting down the port.

“It is done through lobbying, this job is being done everywhere in the world, I have even been to London because of this CBA to find out what they are paying our contemporaries in London, we are getting to that point and that is our next phase. The fact that you as a trade union leader must stand your grounds and dont compromise” Comrade Bunu stated.

Also speaking, Mr. Fubara Awanta, the General Manager, Government Relations and Security for Lekki Freeport Terminal, disclosed that the negotiations that led to the new CBA was tense, challenging process that took more than four months.

“What we are exhibiting today is a people’s CBA, in the sense that, everyone inside the terminal, upon its implementation would see additional progress.
“This was a painstaking exercise undertaken by the two unions, the MWUN led by the President General, Comrade Francis Bunu, and SSASCGOG led by Comrade Akinola Bodunde, and for LFT, our leader there is Capt Jedrzej Mierzewsky. It took us four months to conclude the process” he said
It would be recalled that Fubara, also midwifed the maiden CBA between the two unions and management in 2024.
Speaking on how the management was able to manage the process without any industrial action or protest from the workers unions, he said “It takes spirituality, perseverance and sincerity. Our goal is to ensure efficiency of the terminal. The maritime is the second highest revenue earner for the Federal Government, and it would be a disservice if we dont have that empathy to see that what Government is supposed to generate to take care of citizens is gotten”

On his part, the President of the NPA Branch of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) Comrade Akinola Bodunde gave further insights into the newly signed CBA.

According to him, “Some of the items omitted in the previous CBA were improved upon and now we are good to go. We started this negotiation in February this year, the last time we signed with LFT was in March 2024.

“The new increment varies across board, there are some that are 150%, some are 80%, while some are 60%. We have different categories like overtime, weekend jobs, public holiday allowance, transport, feeding, utility, housing, hazardous allowances and others”

Comrade Bodunde urged the workers to always contribute their quota towards the growth and development of the LFT terminal, especially as the terminal is warming up to commence construction of phase 2 of the lekki port. He described the terminal as one of the best in Nigeria today in terms of allowance.

“We have to support them also because they have supported us, the workers must support the management and put in their best” he said.