SIFAX Group has emerged as the sole recipient of the Distinguished Gender Inclusion Award at the 2025 Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference, organized by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS). The award was presented recently, at a high-profile event held in Lagos.
According to a press statement issued by Olumuyiwa Akande Group Head, Corporate Communications SIFAX, he said the distinguished Gender Inclusion Award, the only honour conferred at the annual conference, is reserved for an organization that has made remarkable contributions toward promoting gender equity and empowering women within the maritime and shipping industry. This year, SIFAX Group was unanimously selected by the organizers for what they described as the company’s “unwavering commitment” to bridging the gender gap and fostering an inclusive work environment.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, commended SIFAX Group’s leadership in embedding inclusive values into its corporate structure. “This award recognises the outstanding efforts of SIFAX Group in driving gender inclusivity in the maritime space. Their leadership, support, and practical initiatives continue to open doors for women across various levels of the industry,” she said.
Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Ololade Dawodu, Head of Clearing and Forwarding at Ports & Cargo Handling Services (a subsidiary of SIFAX Group), expressed the company’s appreciation and restated its commitment to gender balance. “We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping for this honour. At SIFAX Group, gender inclusion is not just a concept; it is a core part of our organizational culture. We will continue to champion initiatives that give women equal opportunities to grow and thrive in the maritime sector,” Dawodu stated.
The 2025 Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference drew participation from a wide range of stakeholders and global players, with notable representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lloyd’s Register, the International Chamber of Shipping, and various African maritime associations joining virtually. Their presence lent international gravitas to the event, reinforcing the importance of gender mainstreaming as a global maritime priority.
In addition to receiving the award, SIFAX Group was prominently featured during the conference. Several sessions were dedicated to showcasing the company’s internal policies, empowerment success stories, and long-term strategies aimed at boosting female participation and leadership in the sector.
The recognition cements SIFAX Group’s position as a trailblazer in gender equity within Nigeria’s maritime space and underscores the increasing relevance of inclusive corporate governance in fostering sustainable industry development.
As the maritime sector continues to seek solutions for challenges ranging from workforce diversification to operational efficiency, SIFAX Group’s example offers a blueprint for balancing performance with progressive values.
