The Face Of Maritime International (FOMI) has unveiled “The Blue Queen — Beauty With A Purpose” as the theme for its 11th season, positioning the annual maritime advocacy pageant as a platform for ocean sustainability, women’s leadership and greater participation in the Blue Economy.
The theme, with the tagline “From Crown To Coastline — Beauty That Saves Our Seas,” was announced on Friday by the Girls Go-To-Sea Campaign Initiative, the non-governmental organisation behind Ppl FOMI.
Established in 2016, FOMI has, over the past 10 seasons, groomed young Nigerian women as ambassadors for maritime awareness, seafarers’ welfare, port development and coastal community development.
According to the organisers, the 2026 edition marks 11 years of using beauty, advocacy and leadership to promote Nigeria’s maritime and Blue Economy potential.
Speaking on the new theme, the Executive Director of the FOMI Season 11 Organising Committee, Mr Sylva Obasi, said the Blue Queen edition would redefine beauty as a vehicle for ocean sustainability, clean-ocean advocacy and women’s leadership.
“Beyond beauty, FOMI Season 11 will crown a Queen who is not just beautiful but purposeful; an Ocean Advocate who will lead campaigns for clean oceans, anti-plastic pollution, coastal tourism and increased participation of women in maritime, fisheries and aquaculture”, Obasi said.
12-Month Blue Economy Mandate
Under the Season 11 concept, the winner of Face Of Maritime International 2026 — The Blue Queen will undertake a 12-month advocacy mandate covering education, environmental protection and women’s empowerment.
The mandate includes a Blue Schools Outreach, through which ocean literacy campaigns will be taken to 20 public schools in coastal communities across Lagos, Rivers, Cross River and Delta states.
The winner will also lead a Coastline Cleanup Project, involving quarterly beach and coastline clean-ups in partnership with relevant maritime and environmental agencies.
Another component is the Women In Blue Economy Mentorship Programme, which will train and mentor 100 young women interested in fisheries, aquaculture and maritime careers.
The initiative will also drive #CleanOceansNG Advocacy, using Maritime Platform Radio on Star Plus FM 101.5, Platforms Online and social media to promote public awareness on ocean protection.
Entry, Training, Grand Finale
The pageant is open to Nigerian women aged 16 to 26 with a minimum of SSCE and an interest in maritime affairs, the environment, beauty and community service.
The Season 11 programme will feature a call for entries, screening and unveiling, preliminary tasks, camping and training, a Blue Economy Advocacy Tour, followed by the grand finale and coronation in Lagos.
The crowned Blue Queen will subsequently commence her pet project activities in 2027.
The organisers said they are seeking strategic endorsement and partnership from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), SIFAX Group, NLNG, Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), WISTA Nigeria, UN Women, UNEP, Lagos State Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders in the Blue Economy.
FOMI Season 11 is promoted by Platform Reporters, publishers of Platforms Online and producers of the Maritime Platform Radio programme on Star Plus FM 101.5.
Interested participants, sponsors and partners may contact the FOMI Season 11 Organising Committee via +234 814 628 9698, the FOMI website, or faceofmaritime@gmail.com and girlsgotosea@gmail.com.