SIFAX Group has challenged young Nigerians to position themselves as the driving force behind the country’s maritime transformation, declaring that Nigeria’s ambition to become Africa’s leading blue economy nation depends on a new generation of skilled, innovative and visionary professionals.
The call was made by the Group Executive Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, whose address was delivered by the Group Coordinating Director, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, at the 2026 Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference held at the University of Lagos.
The landmark event, which marked the conference’s 10th anniversary, attracted over 2,000 participants, including government officials, maritime stakeholders, academics, students and private sector leaders.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant,” Afolabi stressed that the nation’s maritime future would be shaped not only by its vast coastal resources but, more importantly, by investments in human capital.
“For years, we described Nigeria’s blue economy as a sleeping giant. This year’s theme says something bolder. It says the giant is meant to rise, and that the generation to raise it is sitting in this hall,” he said, encouraging students to embrace mentorship, pursue innovation and prepare themselves for leadership roles in the maritime industry.
He noted that TAAM, organised by the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, in partnership with SIFAX Group, has evolved from a modest student initiative into West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference, serving as a vital bridge between academia and industry by connecting students with policymakers, regulators and business leaders.
The conference also featured a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, by the Agency’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile.
The keynote reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to placing young Nigerians at the heart of the country’s blue economy agenda through sustained investments in maritime education, seafarer development, vessel financing, innovation and maritime security.
According to the agency, flagship initiatives such as the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and the Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative are creating pathways for young Nigerians to build careers, own vessels, develop indigenous maritime technologies and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the sector.
Beyond the keynote sessions, the anniversary edition featured high-level policy dialogues, expert panel discussions and the Blueprint Debate Competition, a flagship programme that has become a nationally recognised platform for university students to engage in debates on maritime development, governance and public policy.
As TAAM celebrated a decade of impact, stakeholders agreed that empowering the next generation remains critical to unlocking Nigeria’s vast maritime potential and securing the country’s place as Africa’s blue economy powerhouse.
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