By Oluyinka Onigbinde & Joshua Yousouph
Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL), organised by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN).
The annual flagship event is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
MARAN, in a statement signed by its President, Mr. Yinka Onigbinde, also announced a change of venue for the lecture, which was earlier billed to take place at another location.
The 2026 edition of MAMAL will focus on the theme, “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question,” bringing together government officials, maritime regulators, industry operators, academics, shipping companies, freight forwarders, port users, journalists and other stakeholders.
The Executive Director, Technical, TANTITA Security Services Limited, Captain Warredi Enisouh, will chair the event, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
Onigbinde said the choice of theme was informed by the urgent need to examine the state of Nigeria’s port infrastructure and the implications of modernisation for the country’s economy and maritime competitiveness.
He noted that efficient and modern port infrastructure remained critical to improving cargo handling, reducing delays and operational costs, attracting investment and positioning Nigeria as a competitive maritime hub.
According to him, the lecture will also provide stakeholders with an opportunity to critically examine port charges and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
Onigbinde described Usman as an experienced voice in the maritime sector whose knowledge and experience would enrich discussions around port development, modernisation and competitiveness.
He also commended Captain Enisouh for accepting to chair the programme, noting that his experience in maritime security and industry development would add value to the deliberations.
The MARAN President further said the participation of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as Special Guest of Honour underscored the importance of the theme and the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reposition the maritime sector for greater efficiency and competitiveness.
The 2026 edition marks the fourth in the MAMAL series, reflecting MARAN’s continued effort to provide a credible platform for professional engagement and informed debate on critical issues confronting Nigeria’s maritime industry.
The association consequently called on government officials, regulators, port operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, academics, industry associations, port users, the media and other maritime stakeholders to participate in the event.
