The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has praised the growing contributions of women in Nigeria’s maritime sector, urging them to step forward and take leadership roles in the country’s emerging blue economy.
Mobereola made the call during a ceremony organised by NIMASA to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) in Lagos on Thursday. The event, held in Victoria Island, was themed “Give to Gain”, in line with the 2026 global IWD theme.
The gathering attracted female maritime executives and operators from leading professional bodies, including Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime Association (WIMA), Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), and Women in Maritime in West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA).
Secondary school students and maritime cadets were also present at the event, facilitated by the Founder of Ocean Ambassadors, Olaitan Williams.
Speaking at the event, Mobereola described women as goal-driven professionals whose impact in the maritime sector has been significant over the years, urging them to tap into the vast opportunities within the blue economy.
“Women cannot exist without the men and vice versa, but when the women focus on anything, they perform better than the men. This is why NIMASA wants to seriously and intentionally encourage women in management positions”, he said.
The NIMASA Director-General noted that some segments of the maritime industry still have very limited female representation, adding that the agency is deliberately working to change the narrative.
“There are some areas of maritime where you wonder why there are no women at all, and these are the areas we are focusing on to ensure that we have inclusiveness, and to also tell a statement which I observed in NIMASA, when you give a woman a task, you can go to sleep”, he said.
Mobereola stressed that the blue economy presents a unique opportunity for women to assume leadership roles as the sector continues to develop across Nigeria and the African continent.
“Another plan that we have in NIMASA is to seriously and intentionally encourage women participation in the blue economy sector. We all know that the blue economy is at its infancy in Nigeria and Africa, so it is an opportunity for women.
They should come into the sector and ensure they take full control. You have the capacity, the energy, the drive and intellectually, you have it more than men”, Mobereola said.
Addressing the young female students and cadets present at the event, the maritime chief expressed confidence in their future leadership potential within the industry.
“I am handing over the baton to you, and I know that someday we shall see among you DGs and MDs of various agencies in the sector”, he said.
Mobereola also urged them not to underestimate the vast opportunities within the maritime sector, describing it as a rapidly evolving industry with enormous potential.
“We celebrate you always, not only today. And for the young women, you have everything it takes to succeed because now, you have mentors in these great women who have been in the industry before you.
“One thing I always have in mind: the maritime industry is a novelty. Most of us claiming to be in the maritime sector for many years still do not understand the potentials of the maritime sector. It is a very big opportunity women should take, explore and succeed in it”, he charged.
The event highlighted NIMASA’s commitment to promoting gender inclusiveness and empowering women to play a more prominent role in Nigeria’s expanding maritime and blue economy sectors.