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Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group, has emerged the biggest winner at the 2026 Maritime Industry Merit Awards (MIMA), making a clean sweep of the industry’s most prestigious honours following the conclusion of a keenly contested 60-day voting process that ended at midnight on December 31, 2025.
Maritime Media Ltd, publishers of Shipping World Magazine and organisers of the annual awards, announced the winners on Wednesday, affirming that the 2026 edition reflected the collective verdict of industry stakeholders across the maritime value chain.
Dr. Afolabi was crowned Maritime Man of the Year and also received the Lifetime Maritime Achievement Award, a rare double recognition that underscores his decades-long influence in port operations, logistics, shipping, and private sector investment in Nigeria’s maritime economy.
SIFAX Group further consolidated its dominance by clinching the award for Most Outstanding Company in Corporate Social Responsibility, highlighting the group’s sustained commitment to community development and ethical business practices.
In the public sector leadership category, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, was named Most Impactful Maritime CEO, in recognition of his policy direction and operational reforms.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, also earned industry acclaim as Most Maritime Media Friendly CEO, reflecting his open engagement with stakeholders and the media. Customs operations at the Tin Can Island Port Command came under the spotlight as Comptroller Frank Onyeka emerged double winner, taking honours for Outstanding Area Controller in Anti-Smuggling as well as Outstanding Area Controller in Revenue Generation.
Professional excellence across core maritime disciplines was equally celebrated. Captain Sunday Umoren was honoured as Master Mariner of the Year, while renowned legal luminary Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, was named Maritime Attorney of the Year. Engineering excellence was recognised with Engr. Sylvanus Eferebo emerging Marine Engineer of the Year, while Sir Emenike Nwokeoji and Chief Tochukwu Ezesi were adjudged Customs Broker of the Year and Freight Forwarder of the Year respectively.
Media and advocacy also featured prominently, with veteran journalist Godfrey Bivbere emerging Best Maritime Reporter of the Year. In governance and advocacy, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was named Most Maritime Friendly Governor, while Senator Heineken Lokpobiri clinched the award for Most Influential Niger Delta Personality, reflecting his role in shaping energy and maritime-related discourse.
Institutional performance attracted strong commendation as Tin Can Island Port was named Most Efficient Port Administration, while the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) emerged Best Maritime Agency in Corporate Governance. The NPA’s spokesperson, Mr. I.K. Onyemekara, also received individual recognition as Best Marine and Blue Economy Spokesperson.
Access Bank Plc was honoured as Best Duty Collecting Bank, while Harritex Services Ltd, Port Harcourt, won Best Bonded Terminal.
In the private sector, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd was named Best Company in Corporate Governance, Oil and Gas, while Mrs. Benedine Eloka, CEO of Clarion Shipping Ltd, emerged Best Indigenous Shipowner. Mrs. Mfon Usoro, former Director-General of NIMASA, was celebrated as Maritime Woman of the Year.
According to the organisers, the awards reflect transparency and industry consensus, driven by an open voting process involving practitioners and stakeholders nationwide. The investiture ceremony for the 2026 Maritime Industry Merit Awards is scheduled for March 30, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The announcement was signed by Prince Olayiwola Shittu JP, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee.
