The Chairperson of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Nigeria, Khadijat Sheidu-Shabi, has identified mentorship and entrepreneurship as critical pathways for advancing women’s participation and leadership across Nigeria’s transport and logistics sectors.
Speaking at an industry gathering organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Sheidu-Shabi said sustained investment in women through leadership development, mentorship and empowerment would strengthen the transport ecosystem and expand opportunities for the next generation of professionals.
“Progress is never achieved in isolation. The growth of women in maritime, aviation, rail, transport institutes, ministries, logistics and the military depends on how much we and the industries invest in one another”, she said.
She explained that WILAT, the female arm of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), draws membership from various segments of the transport industry, including marine, rail, aviation, logistics, pipeline operations and the military.
The organisation, she noted, was founded in Nigeria by Aisha Ali-Ibrahim, a former official of the Nigerian Ports Authority who later retired as General Manager, Marine and Operations.
According to Sheidu-Shabi, WILAT’s programmes are guided by five key pillars – leadership, mentorship, empowerment, entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility which collectively shape the organisation’s impact in the sector.
On leadership, she noted that although transport and maritime industries have traditionally been male-dominated, the landscape is gradually changing as more women assume leadership roles in shipping, port management, freight forwarding, supply chain management and maritime administration.
“For many years the transport and maritime sectors were largely male-dominated, but we are witnessing a powerful shift as more women take on leadership roles”, she said, adding that leadership involves providing vision, direction and opportunities for others.
She stressed that mentorship remains a vital bridge between experience and opportunity for young professionals entering the industry.
“Many successful women today can trace their journey to someone who guided them, encouraged them or simply believed in their potential. When experienced women give guidance, the next generation gains confidence, competence and direction”, she said.
Sheidu-Shabi further emphasised the importance of empowerment through training, professional development and advocacy for equal opportunities in the logistics and transport sectors.
“Empowerment means equipping women with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to thrive. When we give women access and knowledge, the entire sector gains productivity, creativity and resilience”, she said.
She also highlighted entrepreneurship as a growing area where women are making significant contributions, particularly in freight forwarding, shipping services, supply chain consulting, transportation and maritime support services.
According to her, encouraging women to build businesses within the transport ecosystem will not only foster innovation but also contribute to economic growth and job creation.
In addition, she pointed to WILAT’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, which include outreach programmes aimed at inspiring young girls to pursue careers in logistics, transport and maritime industries, as well as community support activities for vulnerable groups.
“The future of this industry depends on how we nurture the next generation. When we give back to society, we gain a stronger and more inclusive future workforce”, she said.
At the event held at the Eko hotels, Lagos, to celebrate the 2026 International Women Day (IWD), Sheidu-Shabi urged stakeholders across the transport and logistics sectors to continue supporting initiatives that empower women, stressing that sustained investment in female professionals would ultimately strengthen the industry and broaden opportunities for future generations.