TAAM 2026 Set for July 21 as SIFAX, UNILAG Rally 2,000 Stakeholders for Landmark 10th Maritime Conference

Momentum is gathering for the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference, as the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos (UNILAG), in partnership with SIFAX Group, prepares to host West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference.
The landmark event, scheduled for July 20–21, 2026, is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from government, academia, the maritime industry, corporate organisations and the media.
Marking a decade of fostering maritime education, policy dialogue and youth development, this year’s conference is themed: “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant.”
Over the past 10 years, SIFAX Group has remained the conference’s foremost corporate partner, helping transform TAAM into a leading platform for youth empowerment, industry collaboration and maritime capacity building.
The conference will feature keynote presentations, high-level panel discussions and policy dialogues led by distinguished stakeholders, including maritime lawyer Dr. Emeka Akabogu; Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola; Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (Nigeria), Dr. Odunayo Ani; as well as representatives of the Danish Consulate and other leading maritime organisations.
President of the Maritime Forum, Dare Tunde Damilola, described the anniversary edition as more than a celebration, saying it is a legacy initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while nurturing the next generation of maritime professionals and policy leaders.
According to him, the conference will stimulate meaningful conversations on the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, bridge the gap between students and industry practitioners, promote innovation and leadership among young people, deepen stakeholder collaboration across the maritime ecosystem, and create opportunities for networking, mentorship and career development.
Also speaking, Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, said the company’s sustained support for the conference reflects its commitment to developing future maritime professionals by bridging the gap between academic learning and practical industry experience.
One of the major highlights of the anniversary edition will be the Blueprint Debate Competition, a flagship intellectual contest that has become one of TAAM’s most enduring features. Since its introduction in 2016, the competition has grown into a nationally recognised platform where university students debate critical issues bordering on maritime development, economic policy, governance and national development.