WISTA president urges strong governance, financing for Nigeria’s maritime economy
Ikeja, Sept. 12, 2026, Dr Odunayo Ani, President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, has called for strong institutions, predictable financing and greater women’s participation to drive Nigeria’s maritime economy.
Ani made the call at the 8th edition of the Searchlight Magazine Leadership Summit, with the theme, “Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development”, held in Ikeja on Saturday.
She said Nigeria’s blue economy could be strengthened by mobilising and protecting capital through bankable projects, clear regulations and credible governance to attract investors.
Ani, a Director of Finance at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said Nigeria’s blue economy covered shipping, ports, logistics, offshore services and energy.
She noted that the maritime sector had the potential to create jobs, generate revenue and reduce the country’s dependence on oil earnings.
She said “capital follows trust and confidence”,urging stakeholders to ensure transparent reporting, proper risk analysis and accountability to make maritime projects attractive to local and foreign investors.
On financing, she identified public funding, public-private partnerships (PPP), blue bonds and foreign direct investment (FDI) as key sources of funding for the sector.
She also highlighted the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, noting its equity and contribution requirements for accessing the facility.
Ani stressed the importance of women’s participation in the maritime sector, saying WISTA Nigeria was promoting mentorship, capacity building and women’s inclusion in policy-making.
She said gender-diverse companies tended to perform better, urging stakeholders to create opportunities for women and young people to participate in the transformation of the maritime industry.
Ani urged the government and other stakeholders to develop investable projects, strengthen institutions and promote inclusion to enable the maritime sector to deliver jobs, trade revenue and national prosperity.
Similarly, Capt. Liav Zilberman, General Manager, LTT Coastal and Marine Services Ltd., urged stakeholders to prioritise investment in indigenous marine capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy.
Zilberman said local marine service companies were critical to reducing capital flight and creating jobs in coastal communities.
President of Women in Maritime Africa, WIMAfrica, Mrs Theodora Nweze, during 8th edition of the Searchlight Magazine Leadership Summit, with the theme, “Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development”, held in Ikeja on Saturday
He said that with the right financing, predictable policies and strong institutional support, Nigerian companies could compete effectively in vessel support, offshore logistics and coastal trade across West Africa.
He added that partnerships among the government, private sector and financial institutions would be crucial to developing bankable projects that could attract investment and ensure sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
Also speaking, Mrs Theodora Nweze, President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), called for transformative leadership to drive innovation, institutional excellence and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Nweze said visionary and ethical leadership was needed to turn challenges into opportunities, adding that transformative leadership should focus on impact, transparency, accountability and inclusive growth.
She said WIMA Nigeria remained committed to advancing women’s participation in the maritime sector, adding that empowering women to lead and innovate would benefit families, organisations and the wider economy.
Nweze also the Houman Resource Manager of LTT Coastal Marine Ltd., urged stakeholders to build partnerships and develop practical solutions to harness Nigeria’s maritime potential for job creation and economic diversification.
She congratulated the award recipients for their excellence and service and commended the organisers for sustaining a platform for dialogue and recognition.
The Publisher of Searchlight News, Queen Lola Adesokan, urged leaders to prioritise institutional excellence, innovation and service to drive sustainable growth and national development.
Adesokan said true leadership was measured by impact rather than titles and should focus on strengthening institutions and creating opportunities.
She noted that innovation without strong institutions could not deliver lasting progress, stressing the need for leaders who combined creativity with accountability, professionalism and commitment to the greater good.
Adesokan said the summit celebrated individuals making meaningful contributions across sectors and called for institutions that rewarded competence, valued people and created opportunities for young professionals to lead.
Dignitaries and stakeholders at the event included Dr Ovien Imonitie, Chairman, Stakeholders Committee on National Single Window.; the Managing Director, Mimov Global Ventures Ltd.; Mrs Rollens Macfoy, Continental Vice President, WIMAfrica;
The awardees are: Mrs Funmilayo Loremikan, a maritime expert, Rev. Nicodemus Odolo, President, Ship Owners Association, Lagos; Mrs Temitope Adeyele-Akinlabi, a maritime expert; and Mr Chukumalu Emeka, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Apapa Chapter.
The award recipients were Rev. Nicodemus Odolo, President, Ship Owners Association, Lagos; Mrs Temitope Adeyele-Akinlabi, a maritime expert; and Mr Chukumalu Emeka, Chairman of the occasion and Chairman, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Apapa Chapter.
Other recipient:
Capt. Liav Zilberman, General Manager, LTT Coastal and Marine Services Ltd; Mrs Theodora Nweze, President, Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), Mrs Obiageli Benjamin Secretary, WIMAfrica Nigeria, who also celebrated her 60th birthday, A Maritme Security in Gulf of Guinea Expert, Mrs Bilikis Lawal-Akinbola, Mrs Temitope Adeyele-Akinlabi, General Manager, LTT Coastal and Marine Services Ltd., Capt. Liav Zilberman.
The remaining award recipients were Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, Customs Area Controller, Apapa, Deputy Comptroller, Ola dapo Adeni, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Abiola Lagoa, Superintendent of Customs, Maris Okauru, Mrs Funmilayo Loremikan, Mrs Jane Oyovwi, and Mrs Oluremi Ogunsanya among other.