The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has honoured the President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association Nigeria (WISTA Nigeria), Dr. Odunayo Ani, with its prestigious Merit Award in the Members Diamond Category.

The award recognises her contributions to the accounting profession, maritime administration, and national development in Nigeria.

Dr Ani, who also serves as Director of Financial Services at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), received the honour during an ICAN event attended by senior accountants, professional associates, family members, and industry stakeholders in Lagos.

The recognition highlights the growing influence of women leaders in Nigeria’s maritime and financial sectors, industries traditionally dominated by men.

Why the award matters

ICAN’s Merit Award is regarded as one of the professional body’s highest recognitions for members who have demonstrated excellence, integrity, and long-term service.

For Nigeria’s maritime industry, the recognition also underscores the increasing visibility of professionals bridging finance, governance, and shipping administration.

Analysts say leadership roles occupied by women in strategic sectors such as maritime, finance, and public administration are becoming more influential as Nigeria pushes reforms in trade facilitation and institutional accountability.

Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Ani described the honour as both “humbling and inspiring”.

“I am deeply honoured and sincerely grateful to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria for conferring on me the ICAN Merit Award in the Members Diamond Category,” she said.

She added that the recognition represented not only acknowledgement of past contributions but also “a renewed call to uphold the ideals of excellence, integrity, professionalism, and service to humanity”.

Recognition across the accounting profession

Dr Ani thanked ICAN leadership, including the President and Chairman of Council, Haruna N. Yahaya; Vice President Queensley Sofuratu Seghosime; Immediate Past President D.C.S. Alaribe; and Registrar/Chief Executive Lanre Olasunkanmi.

She also acknowledged the support of colleagues, mentors, family members, and the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN).

“I am extremely grateful to you all for coming out to rejoice and receive the award with me. God bless you all richly,” she added.

Industry observers say honours such as this can inspire more women to pursue leadership roles in accounting, shipping, and public sector administration.

WISTA Nigeria’s growing influence

Under Dr Ani’s leadership, WISTA Nigeria has continued advocating greater female participation in shipping, logistics, maritime trade, and port administration.

The association is part of the wider global WISTA network, which promotes diversity and inclusion across the maritime sector.

Her dual role at WISTA Nigeria and NIMASA has positioned her as one of the leading voices connecting financial management with maritime sector reforms.

Experts note that strong financial governance remains critical to Nigeria’s ambitions of expanding its blue economy and improving investor confidence in the maritime sector.

What’s next

Dr Ani reaffirmed her commitment to professional excellence and continued service in both the accounting and maritime sectors.

The award is expected to further strengthen her profile within Nigeria’s corporate and public sector leadership circles as conversations around inclusion and institutional growth continue.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, is expected to declare open the Board of Directors meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos.

The three-day meeting, scheduled for 18–20 May 2026 and hosted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), will bring together maritime administrators, port executives and policymakers from across West and Central Africa.

The gathering comes at a time when African ports are under increasing pressure to improve cargo efficiency, strengthen supply chains and compete with emerging global trade hubs.

Why the meeting matters

Organisers say discussions will focus on the future of ports in the region under the theme: “Ports of the Future: Combining Logistical Resilience with Inclusive Community Development.”

Delegates are expected to deliberate on infrastructure upgrades, maritime security, regional trade connectivity and ways to ensure port expansion benefits surrounding communities.

Industry analysts say the outcomes could shape future trade policies and maritime investments across the sub-region, particularly as African countries push to maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Ports in West and Central Africa remain critical gateways for imports, exports and regional commerce, but many continue to face challenges linked to congestion, ageing infrastructure and security concerns.

NPA highlights strategic role of ports

Ahead of the meeting, Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, described the event as an important platform for strengthening maritime cooperation in the region.

Dantsoho, who is also the first Nigerian to serve as President of PMAWCA, said the gathering would help reinforce the role of ports in economic development and global trade.

“The meeting affords us all, as Chief Executives and stakeholders, the platform to reiterate the pivotal role that ports play in shaping the future of humanity,” he said.

He added that ports remain vital economic gateways connecting nations to international markets.

“With ports serving as gateways of prosperity and linking nations to the international community, their demonstrated leadership in advancing sustainable development goals cannot be overemphasized,” he added.

According to him, resilient and efficient ports are becoming increasingly important to sustaining global economic activity, especially within West and Central Africa.

Dantsoho also assured delegates of a conducive environment for productive discussions capable of generating policies that could strengthen regional maritime collaboration.

Regional trade and logistics in focus

The meeting is expected to feature technical sessions on port security, infrastructure financing, digital transformation and future-ready logistics systems.

Maritime stakeholders say improving coordination among ports in the region could help reduce trade bottlenecks and lower shipping costs for businesses and consumers.

Experts also believe stronger cooperation could improve competitiveness for African ports amid rising global demand for faster and more secure cargo movement.

Nigeria’s hosting of the meeting further reinforces its growing influence within the regional maritime sector following its hosting of the 43rd PMAWCA Annual Council and Managing Directors’ Roundtable in 2023.

What’s next

Deliberations are also expected to include reviews of PMAWCA midterm committee activities and broader discussions on strengthening collaboration among member ports.

Observers say recommendations from the meeting could influence future regional maritime strategies, infrastructure investments and trade facilitation policies.

The Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has congratulated Mr. Sylvanus Obasi following his election as Vice President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), describing his emergence as a reflection of his longstanding contributions to the maritime industry and journalism profession.

In a statement jointly signed by MAAN President, Jean Chiazor-Anishere, and Secretary, Foluke Akinmoladun, the association praised Obasi’s professional record, citing his commitment to maritime reporting, youth mentorship, capacity development, and gender advocacy within the sector.

The association said his election highlights the growing importance of informed and professional journalism in Nigeria’s maritime industry, a sector critical to trade, shipping, and economic development.

Why Obasi’s Election Matters

According to MAAN, Obasi has built a reputation as a knowledgeable maritime journalist whose reporting has helped shape discussions around transparency, accountability, and policy development in the industry.

The association stated that his engagement with stakeholders across the maritime ecosystem has “significantly enriched discourse within the maritime community.”

Industry observers say leadership changes within MARAN are closely watched because the association plays a major role in shaping public understanding of developments in Nigeria’s ports, shipping, logistics, and marine economy.

Nigeria’s maritime sector remains central to the country’s non-oil revenue ambitions, with industry experts increasingly calling for stronger collaboration between journalists, regulators, legal professionals, and private operato

MAAN Seeks Deeper Collaboration With MARAN

MAAN also used the statement to reaffirm its relationship with MARAN, noting that both bodies have maintained cordial and professional ties over the years.

The association expressed optimism that Obasi’s new role could strengthen collaboration between both organisations in advancing shared industry goals, particularly around professional development and sectoral reforms.

“As a foremost professional body committed to the advancement of maritime arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, MAAN looks forward to sustaining and deepening the cordial relationship existing between the two esteemed associations in pursuit of mutual professional and industry objectives,” the statement read.

The association further wished Obasi and the newly elected MARAN executive team, led by Oluyinka Onigbinde, a successful tenure.

Industry Perspective

Maritime analysts say closer cooperation between industry media groups and arbitration professionals could help improve awareness of dispute resolution mechanisms in the sector, especially as Nigeria seeks to attract more investment into shipping and port infrastructure.

Stakeholders also believe credible maritime journalism remains essential for accountability and public confidence in reforms affecting ports, customs operations, freight systems, and regional trade integration.

What’s Next for MARAN?

With a new executive in place, attention is expected to shift toward how MARAN engages regulators, shipping operators, terminal managers, and policymakers on key industry concerns.

Observers say issues such as port efficiency, trade facilitation, maritime security, and investment transparency are likely to remain high on the association’s agenda.