Industry leaders, maritime professionals, policymakers, and female seafarers have called for urgent and measurable action to bridge the gap between policy formulation and practical inclusion of women within Nigeria’s maritime sector, as Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA Nigeria) hosted a high-level webinar in collaboration with Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria (FESAN), Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association Nigeria (WISTA Nigeria) and Women in Logistics and Transport Nigeria (WILAT Nigeria) to commemorate the 2026 International Day for Women in Maritime.
The webinar, themed “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Maritime Excellence for Women,” brought together top stakeholders across the maritime and blue economy sector to examine the persistent disconnect between existing gender inclusion policies and the realities experienced by women in maritime professions.
In her welcome address, President of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA Nigeria), Mrs. Theodora Nwaeze, described the gathering as more than a partnership among organisations, noting that it represented a united commitment toward strengthening the relevance, visibility, and participation of women within the maritime and transport industry.
She acknowledged the growing interest of women in maritime careers, including shipping, logistics, seafaring, marine administration, and transport management, but stressed that policies alone would not create meaningful change unless translated into practical opportunities and institutional support.
“There is an urgent need for policies that support women’s inclusion to move beyond documentation and become visible practices within our institutions and operational systems,” she stated. “Women must not merely be acknowledged in policy frameworks; they must be actively empowered, protected, and given equal opportunities to thrive.”
Mrs. Nwaeze also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency and its Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for ongoing efforts toward inclusivity and opportunities for women in the maritime industry.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Izibenua Zibs-Godwin, Honourable Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Bayelsa State, described the theme as timely and necessary, emphasizing that women remain underrepresented in several technical, operational, and leadership areas despite the maritime sector’s strategic importance to global trade and economic development.
She noted that for Bayelsa State, the marine and blue economy is deeply tied to the livelihood and future of its people, adding that the state government remains committed to strengthening marine transport, fisheries, aquaculture, safety awareness, and maritime infrastructure with deliberate inclusion of women.
The Commissioner welcomed ongoing national efforts to improve women’s participation in maritime training, particularly the initiative by NIMASA to reserve part of its Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme slots for women. According to her, Bayelsa State is committed to encouraging more young women to pursue careers in maritime, marine safety, seafaring, and blue economy enterprises.
“Policy must move beyond paper,” she declared. “It must translate into practical training, mentorship, certification, workplace dignity, enterprise support, and measurable opportunities for women and girls.”
Earlier in her opening remarks, President of Female Seafarers Association of Nigeria (FESAN), Ms. Koni Duniya, pointed out that many female seafarers still face barriers such as limited access to sea time opportunities, workplace discrimination, inadequate mentorship, and concerns around safety and inclusion.
She emphasized that while progress had been made in creating gender-focused frameworks, implementation and accountability remain weak across many institutions and organisations.
“Policy alone cannot deliver maritime excellence,” she stated. “If we truly want to move from policy to practice, our focus must shift to execution, accountability, and collaboration.”
Ms. Duniya further called on government agencies, private sector operators, training institutions, and development partners to move beyond symbolic commitments by creating practical systems that support recruitment, retention, and career progression for women within the sector.
The webinar also featured goodwill messages from respected maritime leaders, including Ambassador Ify Akerele and President of Women in Maritime of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA) Nigeria, Oritsematosan Edodo-Emore, both of whom stressed the need for practical solutions, stronger advocacy, and greater female representation in leadership and policy implementation processes.
Ambassador Akerele urged women in maritime to become a stronger collective force capable of influencing national decisions and policies, while Edodo-Emore noted that policy without practical implementation would continue to limit women’s advancement within the industry.
A panel session moderated by WIMA Nigeria Vice President, Mrs. Temilade Ogunniyi, further examined structural and institutional gaps affecting implementation of gender inclusion policies across maritime organisations.
Speaking during the session, Secretary-General of the African Shipowners Association, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Folorunso, stressed the need for accountability mechanisms and measurable implementation structures, arguing that many policies fail because there are no systems to track progress or enforce compliance.
Vice President Anglophone of WIMAFRICA, Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, highlighted the need for stronger recruitment policies and gender quotas within maritime institutions, citing examples from other African countries where governments have deliberately increased women’s representation in senior maritime roles.
Also speaking during the panel session, President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association Nigeria (WISTA Nigeria), Dr. Odunayo Ani, noted that many inclusion policies exist largely to satisfy external requirements without genuine commitment from leadership. She emphasized that meaningful progress can only happen when organisations deliberately integrate inclusion into their operational culture and accountability systems.
The webinar concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, practical implementation of inclusion policies, increased opportunities for women at sea and ashore, and sustained efforts toward building a maritime industry where women are visible, empowered, and fully integrated into leadership and operational spaces.
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