TAAM 2026: SIFAX Group charges youth to lead Nigeria’s maritime transformation as NIMASA lists Blue Economy initiatives

The Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi has stated that Nigeria’s aspiration to become Africa’s blue economy powerhouse rests on developing a new generation of skilled, innovative and well-mentored professionals.

Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, who called on the young Nigerians to prepare themselves to lead the country’s maritime transformation, stated this in his address at the 2026 Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference at the University of Lagos.

Speaking on the conference theme, Afolabi said “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant,” Afolabi said Nigeria’s maritime future would be determined not merely by its natural endowments, but by its investment in human capital.

“For years, we described Nigeria’s blue economy as a sleeping giant. This year’s theme says something bolder. It says the giant is meant to rise, and that the generation to raise it is sitting in this hall.”

Represented by the Group Coordinating Director, Mrs Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, the SIFAX Group Chairman, urged students to embrace mentorship, ask difficult questions and prepare themselves for leadership in the maritime sector.

According to him, the conference, organised by the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, in partnership with SIFAX Group, has grown from a modest student initiative into West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference, providing a unique platform that bridges the gap between academic learning and industry practice by connecting students with policymakers, regulators and business leaders.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning young people at the centre of Nigeria’s blue economy agenda through investments in maritime education, seafarer development, vessel financing, innovation and security.

Mobereola, represented by senior NIMASA official, Mrs. Nneka Obianuju, commended SIFAX Group for sponsoring the conference, noting that initiatives such as the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund and the Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative are creating opportunities for young Nigerians to build careers, own vessels, develop maritime technologies and drive the country’s emergence as Africa’s blue economy leader.

Also speaking at the event, the WISTA Nigeria President, Dr. Odunayo Ani, said if Nigeria must realize its maritime potential, it must develop the human capacity include competitiveness and provide the leadership.

She pointed out that WISTA Nigeria, we believe in developing the future of maritime industry requires deliberate investment in human development as WISTA has continued to invest in the future of young Nigerians towards the development of maritime industry in Nigeria.

One of the panelists,  Mrs. Oyindamola Ade-Alli, Secretary/Legal Adviser, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), explained various initiatives such as electric boats which the Lagos State Government taken to develop water transportation in the state.

Encouraging Lagosians to embrace water transportation, Ade-Alli noted that both LASWA and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have been collaborating to ensure the growth of water transportation, and would continue to collaborate.

Also speaking, FCIL Chief Planning Officer at NIMASA, Usman Shuaibu, said the zero policy against piracy, stable leadership and policy consistency have guaranteed investors confidence in bringing their finances into Nigeria.

The conference attracted more than 2,000 participants from government, academia, the maritime industry and the private sector to commemorate a decade of one of Africa’s foremost student-led maritime platforms.