Maritime excellence requires deliberate actions — NIMASA

Achieving sustainable growth and excellence in Nigeria's maritime industry hinges on intentional efforts to dismantle barriers hindering women's participation and foster safe, inclusive workplaces for all. This was the central message from Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), during a recent event commemorating the International Day for Women in Maritime.

NIMASA hosted several women's maritime associations, emphasizing a shift from mere celebration to actionable implementation, aligning with this year's theme: 'From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.' Mobereola acknowledged the significant contributions of women in the sector, highlighting their courage, resilience, professionalism, and innovation in shaping its future.

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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.

"Gender inclusion remains critical to unlocking the full potential of the blue economy," Mobereola stated, stressing that true maritime excellence can only be attained when quality, competence, and equal opportunities are accessible irrespective of gender. He challenged women leaders to create robust pathways for mentorship, capacity building, and leadership development across all maritime levels to ensure greater female participation and establish a strong leadership succession pipeline.

The agency renewed its commitment to advocating for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women in maritime. The event brought together key industry stakeholders, including representatives from Women's International Shipping & Trading Association Nigeria, Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa, and the Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria. It served as a platform to examine achievements, challenges, and opportunities for women in the sector, encouraging increased inclusion and participation.

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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.