By Sandra Chukwunyere
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Maritime Forum, in partnership with SIFAX Group, is set to host the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference (TAAM), a landmark event expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from government, academia, the maritime industry, corporate organisations, development partners and the media.
Scheduled for July 20 and 21, 2026, the anniversary conference marks a decade of promoting maritime education, policy dialogue, industry collaboration and youth development. Themed “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant,” the conference has grown into West Africa’s largest student-led maritime gathering and one of the region’s foremost platforms for shaping conversations around the blue economy.
This year’s edition will bring together policymakers, regulators, shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, logistics experts, academics, researchers, students, investors and development partners to deliberate on critical issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime sector and the wider blue economy.
The two-day programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, fireside conversations and policy dialogues aimed at advancing sustainable maritime development, promoting innovation, strengthening industry-academia collaboration and preparing young professionals for leadership roles within the sector.
Among the distinguished speakers expected at the conference are maritime lawyer Dr. Emeka Akabogu; the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola; the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Nigeria), Dr. Odunayo Ani; representatives of the Danish Consulate; and other leading figures from the maritime and logistics industries.
President of the UNILAG Maritime Forum, Dare Tunde Damilola, described the 10th edition as more than an anniversary celebration, saying it reflects a decade of sustained investment in knowledge sharing, leadership development and capacity building for the maritime industry.
According to him, the conference is designed to deepen collaboration between academia and industry by providing a platform where students interact with experienced professionals, policymakers and business leaders. He said the event will also stimulate discussions on the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, promote youth leadership and create opportunities for mentorship, networking and career development.
Damilola added that participants will examine emerging issues such as port efficiency, shipping, logistics, digital transformationmaritime security, environmental sustainability, investment opportunities and the immense potential of the blue economy in driving Nigeria’s economic growth.
SIFAX Group, the conference’s longest-standing corporate partner, has remained instrumental to the growth and success of the initiative over the past decade. Through its consistent support, the company has helped transform TAAM into a leading platform for maritime education, youth empowerment, industry engagement and capacity development.
Speaking on the company’s continued commitment to the conference, the Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akande, said TAAM has continued to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical industry experience by exposing students to the realities, opportunities and evolving dynamics of the maritime sector.
He noted that SIFAX Group remains committed to supporting initiatives that nurture young talents, promote innovation and equip future professionals with the skills and knowledge required to compete in the global maritime industry. According to him, investing in education and youth development remains critical to building a resilient and globally competitive maritime workforce.
One of the major highlights of this year’s conference will be the anniversary edition of the Blueprint Debate Competition, one of TAAM’s flagship programmes. Introduced alongside the inaugural conference in 2016, the competition has grown into a nationally recognised intellectual platform where university students debate topical issues relating to maritime development, trade facilitation, governance, economic growth, environmental sustainability and public policy.
Beyond encouraging healthy competition, the debate is designed to sharpen participants’ research, analytical, critical thinking, public speaking and leadership skills while inspiring innovative solutions to challenges facing Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Organisers expressed confidence that the 10th anniversary edition will further strengthen stakeholder collaboration, inspire the next generation of maritime leaders and reinforce the conference’s vision of positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading blue economy through knowledge sharing, innovation and human capital development.
