The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) prepares to host its 2026 annual maritime lecture called MAMAL
By Innocent Chukwu
The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced September 10, 2026, as the date for its 2026 edition of MARAN Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), with the expectation to bring together key government officials, industry leaders and maritime stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for enhancing global competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
The annual lecture, scheduled to hold at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, will focus on the theme: “Nigeria Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
The event is expected to provide a strategic platform for robust discussions on reforms required to make Nigerian ports more efficient, cost-effective and globally competitive.
According to the organisers, this year’s lecture will examine critical issues shaping the nation’s maritime sector, including port infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, port charges, trade facilitation, regulatory reforms and policy initiatives aimed at positioning Nigeria as the preferred maritime and logistics hub in West and Central Africa.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola is expected to attend as the Special Guest of Honour, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing reforms in the maritime and blue economy sectors.
The keynote address will be delivered by Hadiza Bala Usman, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU).
She is expected to articulate the Federal Government’s policy direction on port reforms and highlight the importance of coordinated implementation in improving operational efficiency, attracting investment and driving sustainable economic growth.
Speaking on the forthcoming event, MARAN President, Mr. Oluyinka Onigbinde, disclosed that the lecture will be chaired by TANTITA Security Services Limited, adding that it will attract an array of stakeholders, including government officials, heads of maritime agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, port users, investors, academics, development partners and media professionals.
According to Onigbinde, MAMAL has over the years evolved into one of the maritime industry’s foremost policy dialogue platforms, fostering constructive engagement among stakeholders and generating practical recommendations to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.
He expressed optimism that this year’s edition would produce actionable policy recommendations on reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, improving operational efficiency, boosting investor confidence and accelerating Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a leading maritime and logistics gateway in the sub-region.
Onigbinde therefore called on stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to participate actively in the event, describing MAMAL 2026 as a strategic forum for shaping policies, strengthening partnerships and promoting innovation that will drive sustainable growth and enhance the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
