The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dayo Mobereola, has commended the growing contributions of women in Nigeria’s maritime sector, urging them to take centre stage in harnessing the country’s emerging blue economy.
Mobereola made the call on Thursday in Lagos during a ceremony marking the 2026 International Women’s Day held in Victoria Island.
In his goodwill message, the NIMASA boss described women as resilient achievers whose contributions have significantly shaped Nigeria’s maritime industry over the years. He encouraged them to leverage the enormous opportunities within the blue economy and expand their influence in the sector.
“When women focus on something, they perform exceedingly well. We want to encourage women in management and decision-making roles,” Mobereola said.
He added that NIMASA remains committed to promoting gender inclusion within the agency, noting that women are dependable and result-driven when entrusted with responsibilities.
“Our long-term plan is to intentionally encourage women to participate in every aspect of our operations,” he stated.
Mobereola also highlighted the vast untapped potential of the maritime sector in Nigeria and across Africa, describing the blue economy as still in its early stages but filled with opportunities for women to excel.
“As we all know, the blue economy in Nigeria and Africa is still at infancy. This means there are enormous opportunities for women who have the capacity, focus, energy and professionalism to take advantage of them,” he said.
The event, themed “Give to Gain,” attracted prominent female maritime professionals and executives from key industry associations including the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT), the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), and Women in Maritime in West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA).
Leaders of the associations commended NIMASA and its leadership for creating opportunities for women to thrive in the maritime space.
Chairman of the planning committee, Ani Odunayo, said the gathering provided a platform to celebrate women’s achievements in maritime and global trade while examining policy and regulatory issues affecting their participation.
She explained that the event’s sub-theme, “Give Compliance to Gain Longevity: Navigating Nigeria’s Tax Reform Opportunities for Women in Shipping and Global Trade,” was designed to help women better understand evolving fiscal and regulatory frameworks, particularly in taxation.
Odunayo stressed that regulatory compliance should be viewed not merely as an obligation but as a pathway to credibility, resilience and long-term business success.
In her remarks, President of WISTA Nigeria, Eunice Ezeoke, urged women in the maritime sector to stay informed about ongoing industry reforms and build capacity to take advantage of opportunities within the blue economy.
Similarly, Chairperson of Women in Logistics and Transport, Khadijat Sheidu-Shabi, described leadership as a commitment to mentorship, sacrifice and empowering younger professionals.
“Women must mentor the younger ones, support their professional development and ensure equal opportunities within the industry,” she said.
Sheidu-Shabi noted that women are increasingly assuming leadership roles in shipping services, freight forwarding and port operations, adding that greater inclusion of women would strengthen the maritime sector and contribute to national economic growth.
Stakeholders at the event concluded that stronger collaboration among government agencies, industry players and professional associations will be essential to expanding opportunities for women and deepening their participation in Nigeria’s maritime economy.
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