Godsent Ogbebor
SIFAX to host 10th Taiwo Afolabi Maritime Conference
The University of Lagos Maritime Forum, in partnership with SIFAX Group, will host the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference (TAAM) on July 20 and 21, with organisers expecting more than 2,000 participants from across the maritime sector.
The conference, which marks a decade of the initiative, will bring together representatives of government, academia, the maritime industry, corporate organisations and the media under the theme, “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant.”
Organisers said the event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions and policy sessions to examine the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry and the role of young professionals in driving growth across the sector.
Expected speakers include maritime lawyer Dr Emeka Akabogu, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (Nigeria), Dr Odunayo Ani, as well as representatives of the Danish Consulate and other maritime organisations.
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President of the Maritime Forum, Dare Tunde Damilola, said the conference is intended to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while preparing the next generation of maritime professionals and policy leaders.
According to him, the event will also promote discussions on the future of the maritime sector, encourage innovation among young people, deepen stakeholder engagement and create opportunities for mentorship, networking and career development.
Group Head of Corporate Communications at SIFAX Group, Olumuyiwa Akande, said the company has continued to support the conference because it helps connect classroom learning with practical industry experience and encourages greater interest in the maritime sector among university students.
A major feature of this year’s edition is the Blueprint Debate Competition, which has become one of the conference’s flagship programmes since its introduction in 2016. The competition provides a platform for university students to debate issues relating to the maritime industry, governance, the economy and public policy.
