The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has stated that achieving sustainable growth and excellence in the maritime industry requires intentional efforts towards removing barriers that hinder women’s participation and ensuring safe, inclusive, and enabling workplaces for all.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated this when he hosted several women’s maritime associations in commemoration of the International Day for Women in Maritime.
The Deputy Director, Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, disclosed this in a recent statement obtained by The PUNCH.
While expressing appreciation to the women’s associations and stakeholders for their continued contributions to the maritime industry, Mobereola also acknowledged the immense role women play in shaping the future of the maritime sector through courage, resilience, professionalism, and innovation.
Reflecting on the 2026 theme of the International Day for Women in Maritime, which is ‘From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence’, Mobereola observed that the focus of this year’s commemoration was a deliberate shift from mere celebration to actionable implementation.
“Achieving sustainable growth and excellence in the maritime industry requires intentional efforts towards removing barriers that hinder women’s participation and ensuring safe, inclusive, and enabling workplaces for all,” Mobereola said.
He reiterated that gender inclusion remains critical to unlocking the full potential of the blue economy, stressing that the industry can only attain true excellence when quality, competence, and equal opportunities are made accessible to everyone, regardless of gender.
Mobereola challenged the women leaders on the importance of creating pathways for mentorship, capacity building, and leadership development across all levels of the maritime sector to ensure greater female participation while creating a leadership succession pipeline.
He further renewed the agency’s commitment to continue advocating for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality, empower women in maritime, and foster a more inclusive and progressive maritime industry in Nigeria and beyond.
The event brought together key women-led maritime associations and stakeholders across the industry, including the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association Nigeria, Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa, Women in Maritime Africa, Women in Logistics and Transport, and the Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria.
The event provided an avenue to examine the achievements, challenges, and opportunities for women in the maritime sector, while encouraging increased inclusion and participation across the industry.
