Participants in a group photograph during the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration by NIMASA in Lagos.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to encouraging greater participation of women in Nigeria’s maritime sector, noting that sustainable progress in the industry requires the contributions of both men and women.
Dr. Mobereola made this known while delivering the keynote address at an event hosted by the Agency in Lagos to celebrate women in commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2026.
The NIMASA DG, who was addressing the gathering of women professionals from across Nigeria’s maritime industry stressed that the maritime sector presents enormous opportunities and remains a key driver of national economic development.
He emphasized NIMASA’s long-term vision of supporting more women to build careers and leadership roles within the industry.
“Men cannot exist without women, and the maritime industry can only achieve sustainable growth when both genders contribute meaningfully to its development,” Dr. Mobereola said.
Highlighting the vast opportunities in the maritime industry, the NIMASA DG said that the Agency will continue to implement policies and initiatives that encourage the next generation of female professionals to explore careers within the sector.
R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Deputy Director, Maritime Guard Command, Chizoba Anyika; Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola; Member, Group of Experts, United Nations Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment and socio-economics, Dr Felicia Mogo and President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, WISTA, Dr. Odunayo during the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration by NIMASA in Lagos.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of Financial Services Department at NIMASA, Dr. Odunayo Ani highlighted the growing influence of women in the maritime industry and the importance of inclusive leadership.
Dr. Ani who is also the President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria further said that “Women in the maritime sector must continue to view compliance, leadership, and innovation from fresh perspectives that encourage inclusivity and sustainable growth within the industry”.
Dr. Odunayo also emphasized the need for stronger partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders to further expand opportunities for women in the sector, adding that NIMASA remains a strong example of institutional commitment to gender inclusion.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the various women-focused maritime organizations present, who commended NIMASA for its consistent support in advancing gender inclusion across the maritime industry. They also underscored the importance of mentorship, capacity building, and regional collaboration in empowering more women to take up leadership roles within the sector.
Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola (middle); President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, WISTA, Dr. Odunayo (3rd left); President, Women in Maritime Africa, Theodora Nwaeze (3rd right) with female seafarers during the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration by NIMASA in Lagos.
A high point of the event was a presentation by the guest speaker, Dr. Titilayo Enitan-Fowokan on “Navigating Nigeria’s Tax Reform: Opportunities for Women in the Shipping and Global Trade” where she examined how ongoing fiscal reforms could create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs and professionals in shipping, logistics, and global trade.
Dr. Enitan-Fowokan encouraged women in the maritime sector to position themselves strategically to leverage emerging opportunities within the evolving economic landscape.
The event brought together women from different cadres within the Agency as well as representatives of leading women-focused maritime associations, including Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria; Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA); Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA); and Women in Logistics and Transport (WILAT).
