Mrs. Esther Oluwatoyin Oyeleke, Chairperson of ESTYMUELS Integrated Services Limited, has added another feather to her cap by earning a Master’s degree in Maritime Logistics from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Oyeleke, who serves as the Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian chapter of African Women in Maritime (WIMA) and the Assistant General Secretary of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, was among the graduates celebrated during UNILAG’s 55th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday.
Reflecting on her journey, Oyeleke described the experience as both fulfilling and challenging. She explained that completing the academic requirements at UNILAG’s Institute of Maritime Studies, under the Department of Logistics and Supply Chain Management, demanded resilience and commitment.
“From the screening process to induction, physical and online classes, numerous assignments, tests, group work, field trips, seminars, and project defense, the journey was far more demanding than I initially expected,” Oyeleke shared.
She recounted how the program’s structure pushed her limits. “For Zoom classes, students had strict deadlines to join, and any delay resulted in being marked absent. Assignments also had to be submitted within a specified timeframe. Some physical classes lasted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” she said.
Oyeleke’s research project, titled “Integration of Blue Economy into Sustainable Clearing Operations in Nigerian Ports: A Case Study of Apapa Ports,” posed significant challenges as it required gathering data from various stakeholders, including private businesses, organizations, and government agencies within the maritime sector. However, she emphasized that the project’s findings have enriched her expertise in logistics and strengthened her company’s operations.
Through her firm, ESTYMUELS Integrated Services Limited, which specializes in global export, import, and consultancy services, Oyeleke plans to apply her newly acquired knowledge to further enhance her impact in the maritime industry.
She also expressed her commitment to contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector through her roles in strategic organizations like WISTA Nigeria and WIMA Nigeria. According to her, the education and experience gained from the program have prepared her to tackle industry challenges more effectively and promote sustainable practices.
