By Seun Ibiyemi
After years of shaping maritime discourse on global platforms, renowned maritime policy expert and former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Nigerian maritime conference circuit as a keynote speaker at the 8th WISTA Africa Regional Conference.
The conference will hold on June 25 and 26, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, bringing together maritime stakeholders, policymakers, industry leaders and development partners from across Africa and beyond.
Organisers described Peterside’s participation as a significant milestone for the conference and the maritime sector, noting that it will mark his first keynote appearance at a maritime event in Nigeria in five years.
Over the past year, Peterside has delivered keynote addresses and participated in high-level maritime conferences in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kenya and China, where he has shared insights on maritime governance, policy reforms, blue economy development and institutional transformation.
The former President of the Association of African Maritime Administrations is expected to deliver a keynote address on the theme, “From Policy to Implementation,” a subject many industry observers believe aligns closely with his experience in public sector reforms and maritime administration.
Peterside is widely credited with spearheading major reforms during his tenure as Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA, including initiatives aimed at strengthening maritime security, enhancing regulatory oversight and improving Nigeria’s standing within the global maritime community.
Beyond the maritime sector, he is also recognised as a management turnaround expert, public policy analyst and columnist whose views on governance, economic development and institutional reform are regularly featured in national publications.
Industry stakeholders say his return to a Nigerian maritime platform comes at a critical time when discussions around the Blue Economy, maritime infrastructure, energy transition and digital transformation are gaining prominence across the continent.
The conference is being organised by the Nigerian chapter of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), which remains the first national WISTA association established in Africa.
Founded in 1994, WISTA Nigeria is marking 32 years of promoting professional development, leadership and gender inclusion within the maritime industry.
Under the leadership of its President, Dr. Odunayo Ani, the association has positioned the 2026 regional conference as one of the most significant maritime gatherings on the continent.
The event is expected to attract delegates from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, providing a platform for discussions on emerging trends, challenges and opportunities within the global maritime sector.
According to the organisers, conference sessions will focus on key issues including Blue Economy development, energy transition, maritime digitalisation, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, trade facilitation and regional cooperation.
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Stakeholders believe Peterside’s keynote address will provide valuable insights into bridging the gap between policy formulation and effective implementation, a challenge that continues to shape maritime governance and economic development across Africa.
His appearance is expected to be one of the highlights of the conference, reflecting both his enduring influence in maritime affairs and the growing importance of Nigeria’s maritime sector within the global shipping ecosystem.
With industry leaders, regulators, investors and maritime professionals expected to converge on Lagos later this month, the conference is set to reinforce conversations around the future of Africa’s maritime economy and the policies required to unlock its vast potential.
