Apparently pleased with the impact it has made since it started organisiing the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) conference a decade ago, Sifax Group has called on young Nigerians to prepare themselves to lead the country’s maritime transformation.
The conglomerate stressed that Nigeria’s aspiration to become Africa’s blue economy powerhouse rests on developing what it called “a new generation of skilled, innovative and well-mentored professionals”, ready to take the lead in the maritime sector of the economy.
The Group Executive Chairman of Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi gave the charge at the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference which took place Tuesday at the University of Lagos.
Maritime Bits checks revealed TAAM has over the years turned out to be one of Africa’s foremost student-led maritime knowledge and awareness platforms.
No fewer than 2,000 participants attended the 2026 edition of the conference. These include government officials, academia, stakeholders in the maritime industry and the private sector.
Speaking on the conference theme, “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant,” Afolabi who was represented by the Group Coordinating Director in the company, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede said Nigeria’s maritime future would be determined not merely by its natural endowments but by its investment in human capital.
His words: “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 enjoined students to embrace mentorship, ask difficult questions and prepare themselves for leadership in the maritime sector.
The Group Executive Chairman of Sifax Group disclosed that TAAM was organised by the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, in partnership with Sifax Group just as he added that it has grown from a modest student initiative into West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference,.
According to the Sifax Group boss, TAAM has continued to provide a unique platform that bridges 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 by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
The keynote address which was read on behalf of Mobereola by NIMASA Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Chudi Offodile highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to positioning young people at the centre of Nigeria’s blue economy agenda through investments in maritime education, seafarer development, vessel financing, innovation and security.
The NIMASA helmsman noted that initiatives such as the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) and the Blue Economy Accelerator Initiative are creating opportunities for young Nigerians to build careers, own vessels, develop maritime technologies and drive the country’s emergence as Africa’s blue economy leader.
The event also featured policy dialogues, panel discussions and the Blueprint Debate Competition (BDC).
The BDC is a flagship initiative that has evolved into a nationally recognised platform where university students engage in debates on maritime, governance and public policy issues.
