Oyetola seeks removal of barriers facing women in maritime

Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has urged for swift action to dismantle obstacles that impede women's full participation in the maritime sector. Speaking at the 8th Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Africa Regional Conference in Lagos, Oyetola stressed the importance of creating an environment where women can thrive.

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The challenge before us is to remove the barriers that still limit participation and to create the partnerships that enable women to enter, thrive and lead within the industry. We must invest in skills development, strengthen institutions, leverage technology, deepen regional cooperation and create conditions that allow women and young people to contribute meaningfully to the sector’s goals.

Represented by Kalthum Ibrahim, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Oyetola stated that women are already making significant contributions. "The challenge before us is to remove the barriers that still limit participation and to create the partnerships that enable women to enter, thrive and lead within the industry," he said. He called for investment in skills development, institutional strengthening, technology leverage, and regional cooperation to ensure women and young people contribute meaningfully to the sector's goals.

Dr. Odunayo Ani, President of WISTA Nigeria, echoed the call for collaboration among governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. She emphasized that Africa's maritime and blue economy policies must yield measurable results that foster inclusive growth, enhance trade, and promote sustainable development. Ani highlighted the vast opportunities within Africa's blue economy to strengthen trade corridors and improve maritime connectivity, particularly through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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Policy must translate into measurable impact, while collaboration must drive innovation. Together, we can build a more resilient, competitive and inclusive maritime industry for Africa.

Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), reaffirmed the agency's commitment to gender inclusion and sustainable growth in the maritime industry. NIMASA, a partner of WISTA, will continue to support initiatives promoting gender equality, professional excellence, and sustainable maritime development. Mobereola stressed that collaboration is key to unlocking Africa's maritime potential.

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NIMASA remains a proud partner of WISTA and will continue to support initiatives that promote gender inclusion, professional excellence and sustainable maritime development. Collaboration among governments, industry stakeholders and professional associations remains essential to unlocking Africa’s maritime potential.