In commemoration of the 2025 International Women’s Day, women operating in the nation’s maritime industry have voiced fierce criticism over entrenched gender biases, highlighting deep-rooted challenges faced by women in the industry as well as government-powered splintered advocacy groups as key obstacles to their career progression.
Speaking exclusively to Shipping Position Daily last week, the President of Women In Maritime Africa (WIMA), Mrs Rollens Macfoy argue that persistent stereotypes painting women as too emotional or incapable of handling the rigors of life at sea, coupled with fragmented associations have stifled efforts to secure equitable opportunities in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Despite evidence of female competence across various fields ranging from aviation to logistics, Mrs McFoy lamented that only about two percent of Nigeria’s maritime workforce is female. She stressed that women, like their male counterparts, are capable of balancing professional ambitions with family responsibilities, citing successful examples from other sectors where women have excelled even while managing familial duties.
The WIMA President criticized industry institutions and government agencies, such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for training female seafarers without offering adequate employment opportunities.
Another significant challenge, according to McFoy, is the proliferation of women-centric associations within the maritime industry. She added that this is powered by the government being selective when dealing with women. She noted that while these associations ranging from groups focused on trading and shipping to those representing logistics and terminal operations are professionalized, their fragmented nature has also diluted the collective voice of women.
Despite the systemic hurdles, McFoy remains optimistic about the future, stressing that women in maritime have consistently outperformed expectations when given the opportunity and that a unified front could pave the way for more inclusive policies and better job opportunities.
“If ship owners don’t consider hiring women, how can a daughter ever be assured of a future in this field? WISTA are women in trading and shipping. We have women in logistic transport, WILAT; these are truck owners. We have women in the maritime of West and Central Africa. Just imagine, that’s a division brought in by IMO; just for them to dominate Africa. They don’t want to recognize the one that’s Africa formed by them.
“These fractions are professionalized. We can come under one umbrella as women in maritime Nigeria. But then, the government is the ones causing the division by themselves. They will say we are dealing with seafarers or this sector. Like I said, it is the Nigerian factor. If we consolidate our voices and demand a level playing field, it’s only a matter of time before the industry recognizes our worth,” she affirmed.
On his part, the immediate past President of Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers & Water Transport Senior Staff Association, Engr. Matthew Alalade highlighted the global challenges facing female representation and stressed that Nigeria is making notable strides to address these issues.
Alalade pointed out that similar hurdles exist worldwide, adding that many institutions elsewhere are less willing to acknowledge these problems. He said that Nigeria is actively working to “get females on board vessels, an effort aimed at integrating more women into leadership and decision-making roles.
However, the Merchant Navy Chieftain also emphasized that the success of these reforms depends not only on systemic changes, but on individual commitment as well. “It means that the females should comport themselves very well to the system,” he noted, urging women to meet the professional standards expected within these evolving structures.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Captain Tajudeen Alao passionately called for a renewed focus on empowering Nigerian women to realize their God-given potential. “We need to encourage our women to come out, to explore, to express their full potential,” Alao stated, emphasizing that women should not be sidelined or relegated to the background.
Alao praised the remarkable achievements of women both nationally and internationally, congratulating those who have broken barriers and set new standards of excellence. “There are many women who have achieved so much in life,” he noted, adding a personal touch by highlighting that his own mother and wife are testament to the success and strength of women.
