Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The 2026 Nigerian Maritime Merit Awards (NMMA) delivered a night of glitz, surprises, and well-deserved recognition as top players in Nigeria’s maritime sector walked away with coveted honours across media, corporate, leadership, and industry categories.
In a fiercely contested media category, Godfrey Bivbere stole the spotlight, clinching the Best Maritime Reporter of the Year after securing 42% of the 2,403 total responses. He outpaced Oluwakemi Dauda (31.1%) and Shulammite Olowofoyeku (26.9%), reaffirming his influence in maritime journalism.
Corporate social responsibility took centre stage as Tantita Security Services emerged the clear winner, scoring 45.7% of votes. SIFAX Group came in second with 33.3%, while the **Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) rounded off the category with 21%.
The prestigious Lifetime Maritime Achievement Award went to industry titan Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Chairman of Skelas Group, who garnered 41.2% of votes. He beat strong contenders including Taiwo Afolabi of SIFAX Group (26.7%) and Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy (32.2%).
It was also a triumphant night for the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who was voted Maritime Man of the Year with an emphatic 47.7%. He outperformed Taiwo Afolabi (21.6%) and Adewale Adeyanju, MWUN BOT Chair and NLC Vice President (30.7%).
In the women’s category, Faith Zibs Godwin claimed the title of Maritime Woman of the Year with 36%, edging out Bola Muse at 34.4% and Mfon Usoro with 29.7%.
The financial category saw Access Bank secure the honour of Best Duty Collecting Bank, winning 38.7% of the votes. Fidelity Bank (30.2%) and UBA (31.2%) followed closely behind in the tightly contested race.