By Chigozie Dennis
In a vibrant celebration of International Women’s Day 2026, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) reaffirmed its commitment to gender inclusivity, emphasizing that sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector depends on the active participation of women alongside men.
Speaking at the Lagos-hosted event, Director-General Dayo Mobereola called on industry stakeholders to harness the full potential of women professionals, describing the maritime sector as “a key driver of national economic development” with opportunities for career growth and leadership.
“Men cannot exist without women, and the maritime industry can only achieve sustainable growth when both genders contribute meaningfully to its development,” Dr. Mobereola stressed in his keynote address, drawing applause from a gathering of female maritime professionals from across the country.
The event highlighted NIMASA’s ongoing policies aimed at encouraging the next generation of women to explore careers in maritime logistics, shipping, and leadership, reinforcing the Agency’s vision for an inclusive and forward-looking industry.
In her welcome address, Dr. Odunayo Ani, also President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, lauded the growing influence of women in maritime, stressing the need for innovation, compliance, and leadership through a gender-inclusive lens.
Dr. Ani urged stronger collaboration among stakeholders to expand opportunities for women across all maritime sub-sectors, noting that mentorship and capacity building remain crucial to positioning women for leadership roles in shipping, logistics, and port management.
Goodwill messages from representatives of women-focused maritime organizations praised NIMASA’s steadfast support for gender inclusion, highlighting how institutional commitment has advanced the role of women across Nigeria’s maritime value chain.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation by guest speaker Dr. Titilayo Enitan-Fowokan, titled “Navigating Nigeria’s Tax Reform: Opportunities for Women in Shipping and Global Trade.” She outlined how ongoing fiscal and economic reforms are opening new avenues for women entrepreneurs and professionals within the sector.
Dr. Enitan-Fowokan encouraged women to strategically position themselves to leverage emerging opportunities, emphasizing that tax reforms, trade policies, and regulatory frameworks could create pathways for women to thrive in shipping, logistics, and international trade.
The event brought together women from various cadres within NIMASA and leaders from organizations including WISTA Nigeria, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), and Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), reflecting a united front for advancing gender equity and inclusive growth in Nigeria’s maritime industry.