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The Nigerian Chapter of the African Women in Maritime (WIMA Nigeria) has called for concrete action to translate maritime inclusion policies into measurable opportunities for women across Nigeria’s maritime value chain.
The call was made by WIMA Nigeria President, Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, in a message to commemorate World Maritime Day 2026, themed “From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence.”
Nwaeze said the theme underscores the need for maritime policies to move beyond declarations and create practical pathways for women to participate, lead and thrive across the industry.
According to her, Nigeria’s maritime sector cannot realise its full potential while a significant segment of its human capital remains underrepresented in critical areas of the industry.
She noted that Nigerian women are already making contributions as seafarers, maritime lawyers, engineers, shipowners, port professionals, logisticians, administrators, entrepreneurs, educators, regulators and policymakers.
“What is required now is to translate policy commitments on inclusion into practical opportunities,” she said.
Nwaeze called for greater opportunities for women across the maritime spectrum, from ports and terminals to shipyards, logistics corridors, coastal communities and corporate boardrooms.
She identified access to maritime education and professional training, mentorship and leadership programmes, safe and inclusive workplaces, financing for women-owned maritime businesses and institutional support for women seeking senior technical and decision-making positions as critical areas requiring action.
The WIMA Nigeria president also urged stakeholders to challenge outdated perceptions about the roles women can play in the maritime industry.
“As Nigeria pursues the development of its blue economy, women must be positioned as active drivers of growth, innovation and sustainability,” she said.
Nwaeze called on government agencies, maritime institutions, shipowners, terminal operators, professional associations, training institutions and private-sector investors to establish measurable programmes capable of increasing women’s participation across the maritime value chain.
She also encouraged young women to consider maritime as a sector offering significant opportunities in shipping, ports, logistics, marine technology, environmental sustainability and the wider blue economy.
WIMA Nigeria, she said, would continue to promote opportunities for women through advocacy, capacity development, mentorship, networking and strategic partnerships.
“Our objective is not simply to increase the number of women in maritime, but to equip them to compete, lead, innovate and shape the future of the industry.
“On this World Maritime Day, we reaffirm that maritime excellence must be inclusive excellence.”
She stressed the need for a clear progression from policy formulation to implementation and measurable outcomes.
“Policies must become programmes. Programmes must produce opportunities. Opportunities must produce competent professionals and leaders. Leaders must help build a safer, more sustainable, more innovative and more competitive maritime sector,” she said.
Nwaeze further urged Nigeria to ensure that women are active participants in the country’s blue economy ambitions.
“As Nigeria looks to unlock the enormous potential of its blue economy, let us ensure that women are not standing at the shoreline watching the transformation. Let them be at the helm, in the engine room, on the bridge, in the boardroom and at the heart of the decisions shaping our maritime future,” she said.
