Nigeria’s maritime industry will converge in Lagos tomorrow as the Annual Maritime Students and Youth Conference (AMSAY) holds its 10th edition, with Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman of Starzs Investments Company Limited, set to preside as Chairman of the Occasion.
The conference, which has grown into one of the country’s most influential youth-focused maritime platforms, will also feature Alhaji Aminu Umah, Managing Director/CEO of Sea Transport Services Nigeria Limited, as Father of the Day, while Mrs. Ify Anazonwu-Akarele, Vice President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, will serve as Mother of the Day.
The event is expected to attract leading policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who will deliberate on key issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime sector, including policy reforms, operational efficiency, and the development of the blue economy.
In the opening session, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, is scheduled to deliver a paper titled “Repositioning Cabotage Implementation in Nigeria: Prospects, Structural Constraints & Strategic Reform Imperatives.” The presentation will focus on strengthening indigenous participation in the maritime sector through improved regulatory frameworks and policy execution.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, will also speak on “NSC Interventions in Reducing Cost of Doing Business in Nigerian Ports,” highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in port operations.
Similarly, the Acting Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Alhaji Umar Girei, will present a paper titled “Highlighting NIWA Strategic Plan Towards Repositioning Inland Transportation as Viable Economic Frontiers,” focusing on the role of inland waterways in national logistics development.
The Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), Prof. Abiodun Sule, is also billed to address participants on “The Roles of NIOMR in Achieving Nigeria’s Blue Economy Agenda”, while the Director-General of the Nigerian Single Window (NSW), Mr. Tola Fakolade, will examine “NSW Beyond a Tech Tool: As a Policy Tool for Nigeria’s Economic Transformation”.
Beyond the policy conversations, AMSAY is expected to once again reaffirm its reputation as a transformative platform for maritime students and young professionals across Nigeria.
Since its inception in 2016, the conference has evolved from a modest student engagement initiative into a national platform for mentorship, networking, and career development within the maritime industry.
Over the years, beneficiaries have consistently shared testimonies of how the initiative helped shape their career trajectories at critical points in their lives.
One such beneficiary, Engr. Oluwadamilola Adebamipe, a First-Class Marine Engineering graduate under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), previously recounted how prolonged unemployment nearly derailed her maritime ambitions before opportunities that emerged through AMSAY eventually led to her employment at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where she now serves as a Chief Engineer.
Similarly, Adesakin Adekola has spoken about how exposure from the 2019 edition of the conference helped him secure mandatory sea-time placement, complete his Certificate of Competency, and progress to the rank of Second Officer.
Other beneficiaries, including award recipients such as Nnamdi Ezinwanne, have described AMSAY recognition as a lasting motivation that reinforces academic discipline and resilience.
Joyce Adoga, a 2025 beneficiary, also noted that her participation at a recent edition helped facilitate sponsorship support for her mandatory maritime certifications following engagement with industry stakeholders.
Ogwo Jane, the Overall Best Graduating Maritime Student in Nigeria (2018), has credited the platform for expanding her professional exposure and supporting her academic progression, including postgraduate studies abroad.
For Umahi Wilfred, AMSAY provided an entry point into the industry through an internship with Starzs Investments Company Limited, while Emmanuel Orolu has described the conference as a catalyst for renewed academic focus and scholarship opportunities.
Industry observers continue to describe AMSAY as more than a conference, but a structured platform that connects education, mentorship, and industry exposure for young maritime professionals.
As anticipation builds for the 10th edition, stakeholders said the conference remains a critical bridge between maritime students and industry players, offering exposure, dialogue, and opportunities that extend beyond the classroom.
For many young cadets and students, AMSAY continues to represent a platform where ambition meets opportunity, and where career paths are shaped through direct engagement with industry leaders.