The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has announced the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubuformer Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, as the keynote speaker at the 2026 edition of its Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL).
The flagship event is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
The 2026 edition of MAMAL is themed “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”
The lecture is expected to bring together senior government officials, maritime regulators, academics, shipping executives, freight forwarders, port users, journalists and other stakeholders to examine the challenges confronting Nigeria’s ports and the urgent reforms required to strengthen their competitiveness.
The Executive Director, Technical, of TANTITA Security Services Limited, Captain Warredi Enisouh, will chair the event, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, will attend as Special Guest of Honour.
Speaking on the significance of the theme, MARAN President, Mr. Yinka Onigbinde, said the lecture would provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to examine the need for modern, efficient and competitive port infrastructure.
According to him, modernising Nigeria’s ports is critical to improving cargo handling, reducing delays and logistics costs, attracting investment and strengthening the country’s position as a competitive maritime hub.
Onigbinde added that the lecture would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage constructively on port charges and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
He described Hadiza Bala Usman as an experienced voice in the maritime industry whose knowledge and experience would add significant value to the discussions.
The MARAN President also expressed appreciation to Captain Enisouh for accepting to chair the event, noting that his experience in maritime security and industry development would further enrich the programme.
He said the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as Special Guest of Honour underscored the importance of the subject and the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition Nigeria’s maritime sector for greater efficiency and competitiveness.
Onigbinde noted that the 2026 edition would be the fourth in the MAMAL series, reinforcing MARAN’s commitment to providing a credible platform for informed debate, professional engagement and policy dialogue on critical issues affecting Nigeria’s maritime industry.
MARAN therefore invites government officials, maritime regulators, port operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, academics, industry associations, port users, the media and other stakeholders to participate in the landmark event.
