The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has reiterated its dedication to advancing gender equality and empowering women, fostering an inclusive environment within the organization and beyond.
The Managing Director/CEO of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, made the commitment in a speech marking the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, with the theme, you “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality.”
“For us in the Nigerian Ports Authority, we do not see IWD as another day to pay lip service to women’s rights and economic empowerment.
“Rather, it is a day to reflect on what we have done and to commit to doing even more,” Dr. Dantsoho said.
The NPA has made significant strides in promoting gender equality, including extending maternity leave to six months, ensuring that women’s pregnancy status does not affect their benefits, and providing flexible work arrangements for nursing mothers, he said.
The organization, the CEO added, has also appointed women into key leadership positions, including Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mrs. Vivian C. Richard-Edet.
Dantsoho noted that despite these achievements, there is still much work to be done to address the various forms of discrimination and inequality faced by women.
“As an organization, we promise to remain unrelenting in supporting the rights and equality for all women and girls and to practically create opportunities for women and girls within and outside the NPA to be empowered to the best of their abilities.”
Persecondnews reports that the NPA’s commitment to women’s empowerment is particularly significant in the maritime industry, where women are underrepresented.
According to a report, women make up only 9.3% of seafarers in Nigeria, and face various challenges, including discrimination, sexism, and harassment.
Dantsoho’s pledge is a welcome step towards promoting gender equality in the maritime industry and beyond.
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