In a bold call for reform, key maritime industry leaders in Nigeria are urging the government to implement gender-inclusive legislation and enforce quotas to boost women’s participation and leadership in the shipping and maritime sector. The move, they say, is essential for driving economic growth, achieving sustainable development, and aligning with international best practices.
The appeal was made during the fourth edition of the Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference, organised by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS), under the theme “Charting New Waters: Women Steering Progress in Maritime and Shipping.” The event brought together policymakers, legal experts, regulators, and advocates to spotlight the critical need for gender equity in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
At the centre of the discussions was the push for domestication of African Union charters that promote the advancement of women. Stakeholders recommended that Nigeria adopt gender-specific legislation that would institutionalise quotas for women’s recruitment, introduce incentives for inclusive maritime organisations, and enforce penalties for firms found guilty of workplace discrimination or harassment.
President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mrs. Funke Agbor, called for urgent legislative backing to enforce inclusive hiring and retention policies. “We need to go beyond rhetoric. There must be deliberate efforts through legal and corporate governance frameworks to reward organisations demonstrating genuine gender inclusivity,” Agbor stressed.
She also pointed to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as a key regulatory institution with the authority to incentivise shipping companies that embrace gender-balanced policies. “Inclusion must become a regulatory obligation, not an afterthought,” she said.
In response, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reiterated the agency’s dedication to promoting gender equity. He emphasized the link between inclusivity and national progress, noting that “building an inclusive environment that fosters diversity and equal opportunity is a prerequisite for sustainable economic development.”
Mobereola confirmed that NIMASA would explore further strategies to encourage gender balance in the sector and ensure that more women ascend to leadership positions. “It’s time we broke the barriers that limit women’s growth in maritime,” he said.
Speaking on a broader regional front, Mrs. Oritematosan Edodo-Emore, President of the Women in Maritime Organisations of West and Central Africa (WIMOWCA), reinforced the call for Nigeria to implement AU-backed gender charters. According to her, failure to align with continental frameworks could continue to hinder progress for women in the industry.
In the same vein, Ms. Elozino Eteghrara, Head of Administration at the Abuja MoU on Port State Control, stressed the urgency of embedding gender quotas into national policy. “Quota systems may be controversial, but they remain one of the most effective tools for leveling the playing field in male-dominated industries,” she noted.
The maritime sector is a key driver of Nigeria’s economy, facilitating 90% of the country’s international trade. However, despite its scale and importance, women occupy less than 2% of seafaring and leadership positions in the industry, according to a recent NCS report.
Industry experts argue that increasing women’s participation in maritime roles—from port operations to shipping logistics and policy development—not only promotes equity but also boosts innovation and organisational performance.
As the industry evolves in response to global digitalisation and sustainability mandates, stakeholders insist that gender inclusion must become part of the maritime transformation agenda. This includes:
Enacting national gender equity policies in maritime education and employment
Providing leadership training and mentorship for women
Offering tax or operational incentives to compliant organisations
Naming and shaming institutions that perpetuate gender-based discrimination
The resounding message from the conference was clear: Nigeria cannot afford to leave its women behind in the race for maritime excellence and economic diversification.
As maritime leaders steer toward reform, the world is watching—and the tide may finally be turning in favour of inclusion.