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IWD: NPA Launches Strategic Initiatives to Elevate Women in Maritime Sector

"This initiative represents the authority’s strong institutional resolve to narrow gender disparities and transform the maritime industry by giving women stronger voices in senior roles and developing the leaders of tomorrow"

Samuel AkpanMarch 23, 20262 Mins read374

In a bold move for gender equity, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is honouring International Women’s Day by building a nationwide pipeline for female excellence.

Their new initiative is designed to find, hire, and mentor the next generation of women leading Nigeria’s maritime operations.

Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, the Managing Director/CEO of NPA, will lead the Female Talent Pool Initiative, a strategic effort aimed at identifying talent, attracting participants, nurturing skills and strengthening the presence of women throughout Nigeria’s port and shipping industry.

The NPA, in a post on its official X handle on Monday, stated that Mrs Kenechi Edith Okezie, Executive Director, Finance and Administration and Port Manager of the Rivers Ports Complex, will join him on the panel to explore the real benefits of gender balance in maritime work and to inspire young women entering the sector to achieve their greatest potential.

Mrs. Abimbola Ini-Abasi, a respected advocate for women’s advancement, is set to open the session with statistics and clear, actionable recommendations, while Halimatu Abdul and Toke Makinwa will add their perspectives and Ayo Mairo-Ese will moderate the discussion.

This initiative represents the authority’s strong institutional resolve to narrow gender disparities and transform the maritime industry by giving women stronger voices in senior roles and developing the leaders of tomorrow.

Persecondnews recalls that in a statement on March 9, the NPA had praised the resilience and dedication of its female workforce.

“Women now occupy 60 percent of these positions while men account for the remaining 40 percent,” Dr Abubakar Dantsoho said, referring to recent senior appointments and his specialist advisory team.

The Managing Director commended female staff for delivering outstanding results in roles once thought to demand “traditional male physical strength.”

He extended warm congratulations to exceptional women both inside the authority and across the broader industry who keep pushing boundaries, dismantling obstacles and helping create a fairer, more balanced future for the entire sector.

“NPA has embedded gender equality as a practical priority rather than a standalone formal document, using leadership directives, affirmative appointments and targeted staff welfare measures to drive inclusion across its operations,” Dantsoho noted.

“Under Managing Director Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, the authority has deliberately advanced women into strategic support roles, assigning them 60 per cent of positions among his personal aides and technical assistants while men occupy the remaining 40 per cent,” he added.

“This intentional ratio forms part of a broader drive to expand female participation and leadership success throughout the maritime industry,” the CEO stated.

Dantsoho noted that these women are excelling in operational and technical fields long viewed as requiring traditionally male physical strength, including firefighting, security, vessel piloting, marine engineering, hydrographic surveying, administrative coordination and maritime support services such as the maintenance of navigational aids.

Management points to the resilience and dedication shown in these high-pressure roles as clear evidence that performance is driven by capability, not gender.

To reinforce this, the organization has implemented robust human resource policies designed to promote work-life balance and eliminate systemic barriers.