Women maritime associations endorse CVFF Portal for indigenous shipping
L-R: President, WISTA Nig. Dr Odunayo Ani, also Director in NIMASA, member of NIMASA Governing Board, Iroghama Ogbeifun , the Chairman, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Governing Board, Hon. Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola; Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Eshinlokun; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Mahmood and Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education, and Administration, Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and President, WIMAfrica (NIG), Mrs Theodora Nwaeze,during the launch of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) Application Portal
Women maritime associations endorse CVFF Portal for indigenous shipping
Lagos, January. 24, 2026, The Women Associations in the Maritime industry, have commended the Federal Government, for unveiling the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) Application Portal to enhance ship owners to compete with their foreign counterpart.
The women association made the commendations in a statement signed by the President Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr Odunayo Ani in Lagos on Saturday.
The association comprises of Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAFRICA) and Women in Maritime West and Central Africa (WIMOCA).
Ani commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, for their strategic vision and commitment to modernising processes within the industry.
She noted that the portal represents a forward-looking initiative designed to enhance efficiency, inclusiveness, and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s marine and blue economy landscape.
“The commissioning of this portal is a testament to deliberate efforts to deepen stakeholder engagement and unlock new opportunities for operators and investors alike.
“We are urging the ship owners and other beneficiaries to purchase the loan and channel it positively to boost indegenous shipping in Nigeria,”Ani said.
She advised ship owners to build standard ocean going vessel to enable the trained cadets have access to sea time training to enhance manpower.
WISTA Nigeria boss reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote equity, professionalism, and innovation, emphasizing the role of women in advancing a resilient and competitive maritime ecosystem.
The associations pledged continued collaboration with the Ministry, NIMASA, and other sector partners to strengthen the industry’s global standing.
The CVFF Application Portal was expected to streamline access to financing for vessel operators, addressing longstanding challenges in the cabotage regime and boosting investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Recalled that the portal, established under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, was designed to address the financing gap faced by Nigerian shipowners.
