The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting greater participation of women in Nigeria’s maritime industry as part of efforts to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth in the sector.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, made the pledge during an event hosted by the Agency in Lagos to celebrate the International Women’s Day 2026.
Addressing women professionals from across Nigeria’s maritime industry, Mobereola described the maritime sector as a critical driver of national economic development with vast opportunities for both men and women.
He stressed that meaningful contributions from both genders are essential for the industry to achieve sustainable progress.
“Men cannot exist without women, and the maritime industry can only achieve sustainable growth when both genders contribute meaningfully to its development”, Mobereola said.
The NIMASA boss added that the Agency would continue to implement policies and initiatives aimed at encouraging more women to build careers and assume leadership roles in the maritime sector.
In her welcome address, the Director of Financial Services at NIMASA and President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association Nigeria (WISTA Nigeria), Odunayo Ani, highlighted the growing influence of women in the maritime industry and the importance of inclusive leadership.
According to her, women in the maritime sector must approach compliance, leadership, and innovation with fresh perspectives that promote inclusivity and sustainable industry growth.
Ani also called for stronger partnerships among stakeholders to expand opportunities for women, noting that NIMASA continues to demonstrate institutional commitment to gender inclusion.
Representatives of various women-focused maritime organisations delivered goodwill messages at the event, commending NIMASA for its sustained support for gender inclusion in the maritime sector. They also emphasized the importance of mentorship, capacity building, and regional collaboration in empowering more women to take up leadership positions within the industry.
A highlight of the event was a presentation by guest speaker Titilayo Enitan-Fowokan titled “Navigating Nigeria’s Tax Reform: Opportunities for Women in the Shipping and Global Trade”.
She examined how ongoing fiscal reforms could open new opportunities for women entrepreneurs and professionals in shipping, logistics, and global trade.
Enitan-Fowokan urged women in the maritime sector to strategically position themselves to take advantage of emerging opportunities within Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape.
The event attracted participants from different cadres within NIMASA and representatives of leading women-focused maritime associations, including Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), and Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).