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The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s participation and leadership in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, describing gender inclusion as essential to unlocking the sector’s full economic potential.
Representing the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, at the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Hajia Kaltum Ibrahim, said the Ministry is committed to creating an enabling environment for women to thrive across the maritime value chain.
She said the Ministry’s National Marine and Blue Economy Policy, developed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promotes sustainable growth, public-private partnerships and greater opportunities for women and youth through capacity building, entrepreneurship and leadership development. Ibrahim stressed that increasing women’s participation across shipping, ports, logistics, fisheries, marine science and maritime administration is both an economic and strategic imperative, while urging stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and the private sector.
Delivering the keynote address, former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said Africa’s transition to a sustainable maritime future must move beyond policy declarations to practical implementation. He argued that maritime reforms would only succeed when they are fully understood and embraced by operators across ports, shipping, customs, training institutions and government agencies.
Peterside called for greater investment in efficient ports, regional logistics networks, African-owned shipping capacity and cleaner shipping corridors to boost trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He also advocated stronger maritime skills development, reliable emissions data systems and increased public and private financing to accelerate green shipping and sustainable port infrastructure.
Recalling his tenure as Chairman of the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA), during which he visited 24 African maritime nations, Peterside said one lesson stood out: “Those who make the decisions shape the direction.” He therefore called for greater female representation in leadership positions, noting that women must play critical roles in technology adoption, sustainability and the maritime industry’s transition to net-zero emissions.
In her goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, said Africa’s blue economy cannot realise its full potential without greater investment in women’s leadership. Citing the 2024 IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, she noted that women account for less than 19 per cent of the global maritime workforce and only one per cent of seafarers, describing the figures as a clear call for action rather than continued policy discussions.
Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, commended the founders of WISTA Nigeria, noting that the maritime administration has continued to benefit from the outstanding contributions of women, who make up a significant proportion of its directors.
“At NIMASA, we are driven by innovation, good governance and greater diversity. We also believe that strong collaboration among government, industry and organisations such as WISTA is vital to achieving Nigeria’s maritime development objectives,” he said.
Earlier, President of WISTA Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs.) Odunayo Ani, said the association has spent the past 32 years promoting excellence, leadership and professional development across the maritime, shipping, logistics, transport and energy sectors. Through mentorship, scholarships, leadership programmes and strategic partnerships with government agencies and international organisations, she said WISTA Nigeria has continued to prepare women and young professionals for leadership positions.
Ani said the conference would focus on practical solutions to sustainable shipping, trade facilitation, maritime decarbonisation, digital transformation, seafarer welfare and energy innovation, urging delegates from across Africa to build partnerships and develop actionable initiatives that would strengthen the continent’s blue economy.
The conference was graced by several eminent national and international maritime leaders, including four former Directors-General of NIMASA—Dr. Dakuku Peterside, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Barr. Temisan Omatseye and Barr. (Mrs.) Mfon Usoro. The Royal Father of the Day was HRM Oba Abdul-Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, CON. Other distinguished guests included WISTA International General Secretary and Chairperson of the Ghana Maritime Authority Board, Jemilat Mahamah; President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN; WISTA Germany Vice President, Susanne Coulibaly; Managing Director of Starzs Investments Company Limited, Ms. Iroghama Ogbeifun; and several other leading stakeholders from across Africa’s maritime industry.
