Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry have called for the adoption of legislation aligned with international standards to promote gender equality, inclusivity, and equal professional opportunities for women. They argue that such reforms are essential for sustainable development and economic advancement.
At the fourth Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference, hosted by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) under the theme “Charting New Waters: Women Steering Progress in Maritime and Shipping,” participants stressed the urgent need for Nigeria to implement African Union protocols that advocate for women’s empowerment, including the enforcement of recruitment quotas for women in the sector.
Speakers also recommended policy incentives for maritime organizations—public and private—that actively foster gender diversity, along with penalties for companies found to tolerate harassment or gender-based discrimination.
Mrs. Funke Agbor, President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), underscored the importance of using both rewards and governance tools to recognize firms demonstrating a strong commitment to inclusivity. She emphasized that organizations which champion diversity should be encouraged through structured incentives.
Regulatory agencies were spotlighted as key drivers of this change. Agbor highlighted the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as a critical institution capable of integrating gender inclusivity into its compliance framework and encouraging firms to adopt such policies industry-wide.
Echoing this stance, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stressed the importance of fostering a workplace culture where diversity and equal opportunities are prioritized. He reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to empowering women to take on leadership positions within the maritime field.
Mrs. Oritematosan Edodo-Emore, President of Women in Maritime Organisations of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), reinforced calls for the Nigerian government to enforce AU charters supporting women’s advancement.
Ms. Elozino Eteghrara, Head of Administration at the Abuja MoU on Port State Control, added that introducing gender-based recruitment quotas in the maritime industry would be a concrete step toward ensuring balanced representation and driving inclusivity forward.
