By Seun Ibiyemi
SIFAX Group has challenged young Nigerians to equip themselves with the skills, innovation and leadership capacity required to drive the country’s maritime transformation, stressing that Nigeria’s ambition to emerge as Africa’s blue economy powerhouse depends largely on the development of a new generation of professionals.
The charge was delivered on behalf of the Group Executive Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, by the Group Coordinating Director, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, at the 2026 Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference held at the University of Lagos.
The conference, which attracted more than 2,000 participants from government, academia, the maritime industry and the private sector, marked the 10th anniversary of one of Africa’s leading student-led maritime platforms.
Speaking on the theme, “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant,” Afolabi said the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector would be shaped not only by the country’s natural resources but also by deliberate investments 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,” he said in his address.
He urged students and young professionals to embrace mentorship opportunities, engage with industry stakeholders and prepare themselves to assume leadership positions in the maritime sector.
According to Afolabi, the conference, organised by the Maritime Forum of the University of Lagos in partnership with SIFAX Group, has evolved from a modest student initiative into West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference.
He noted that the platform has continued to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practice by connecting students with policymakers, regulators and business leaders.
The event also featured a keynote address delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, by the agency’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chudi Offodile.
The keynote highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to placing young Nigerians at the centre of the country’s blue economy agenda through investments in maritime education, seafarer development, vessel financing, innovation and maritime security.
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According to the agency, programmes such as the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund and the Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative are opening up opportunities for youths to pursue maritime careers, acquire vessels, develop innovative technologies and contribute to Nigeria’s emergence as Africa’s leading blue economy nation.
The anniversary edition of the conference also featured policy dialogues, panel discussions and the Blueprint Debate Competition, a flagship initiative that has grown into a nationally recognised platform where university students engage in debates on maritime, governance and public policy issues.
