The Network of Nigeria Maritime Journalists (NNMJ) is attracting more influential figures in Nigeria’s maritime industry to its forthcoming Unity Conference. Former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Barrister Temisan Omatseye, will chair the event, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, is expected to attend as Special Guest of Honour.
Also in attendance are former NIMASA spokesperson, Hajia Lami Tumarka; retired Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG Charles Edike; and President of Women in Maritime Africa (WIMA), Mrs Theodora Nwaeze, confirming their participation.
Their confirmation adds to an impressive lineup of industry veterans, policymakers and key stakeholders expected at the conference, scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Renowned maritime lawyer, Barrister Emeka Akabogu, SAN, will deliver the keynote address.
With the theme, “Seaport Modernisation, Trade Facilitation and Revenue,” the conference is designed to provide a platform for critical discussions on the state of Nigeria’s maritime industry, ongoing government reforms and the sector’s capacity to drive economic growth.
The event, which begins at 11:00 a.m., will bring together policymakers, heads of maritime agencies, legal practitioners, shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, licensed customs agents and other industry players to examine practical strategies for repositioning the sector.
Key issues expected to dominate discussions include seaport modernisation, rehabilitation of ageing port infrastructure, trade facilitation, ease of doing business, revenue optimisation and measures to identify and eliminate financial leakages across the maritime value chain.
Participants will also examine ways to expand Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, create employment opportunities, strengthen maritime safety and security, and improve the global competitiveness of the country’s seaports.
The conference comes at a time when Nigeria’s maritime sector is under increasing pressure to improve port efficiency, attract investment, facilitate international trade and maximise its contribution to national revenue.
In a joint statement, NNMJ Chairman, Elder Dele Aderibigbe, and the organisation’s Public Relations Officer, Jerry Aguigbo, said the Unity Conference was conceived to promote informed industry dialogue, strengthen stakeholder collaboration and generate practical recommendations for addressing the challenges confronting the maritime sector.
They explained that the gathering would offer stakeholders an opportunity to assess existing government policies and reforms, identify implementation gaps and recommend sustainable solutions to improve port operations, facilitate legitimate trade and unlock the economic potential of the marine and blue economy.
The NNMJ leadership also highlighted the importance of maritime journalism in promoting transparency and accountability, providing credible industry analysis and sustaining public engagement on government policies, regulatory decisions and reforms affecting the sector.
According to the organisers, the conference is expected to deepen relationships among industry stakeholders, encourage constructive policy engagement and build consensus around the urgent need for a more efficient, transparent and globally competitive maritime industry.
With the growing list of confirmed personalities, the NNMJ Unity Conference is shaping up as a significant gathering for maritime stakeholders seeking practical solutions to the challenges and opportunities confronting Nigeria’s maritime industry.