WISTA Nigeria President, Dr Odunayo Ani and Former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr Peterside Dakuku

The Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the maritime industry’s net-zero transition.

WISTA Nigeria President, Dr Odunayo Ani, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

It also commended former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, for calling for practical reforms in Africa’s maritime policy and trade architecture during a two-day regional conference of WISTA Nigeria.

Ms Ani said Mr Peterside’s call in his keynote on Africa’s maritime policy and trade gaps was timely, insightful and action-oriented.

She quoted him as saying African governments, regulators and stakeholders needed to move beyond policy statements to practical implementation, innovation, institutional strengthening and strategic maritime investment.

She stressed the need for collaboration, cleaner technologies, green financing, capacity development and inclusive leadership to ensure global competitiveness in the maritime sector.

Ms Ani, also Director of Finance, NIMASA, said WISTA Nigeria aligned with Mr Peterside’s call for modern and efficient ports, cleaner shipping corridors, stronger indigenous shipping capacity and sustained investment in maritime human capital.

She said these priorities were essential to building an environmentally responsible and globally competitive African maritime industry capable of attracting investment, reducing emissions and creating sustainable jobs across the continent.

According to her, WISTA Nigeria remains committed, as a leading advocate for diversity, inclusion and sustainable development, to initiatives that accelerate decarbonisation, drive innovation, strengthen policy implementation and empower women professionals.

Ms Ani added that empowering women would deepen contributions to Africa’s blue economy and net-zero ambitions, while strengthening technical skills, mentorship networks and leadership pipelines across shipping, ports and logistics.

She further commended Mr Peterside’s emphasis on bridging policy and execution, describing it as a key pathway to unlocking Africa’s maritime potential under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and sustainable global trade. 

(NAN)