The Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos, IMS-UNILAG, has hosted delegations from the International Maritime Organization, IMO and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA as part of an awareness campaign on emerging opportunities in the maritime industry.
The engagement, held at the IMS-UNILAG Building, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, was designed to expose young people to the vast potential within the global maritime sector and encourage early interest in maritime education and careers.
Addressing senior secondary school students from the University of Lagos International School, Mr. Subaskar Sitsabeshan of the IMO delivered a presentation on the fundamentals of shipping and its critical role in driving the global economy.
He outlined the IMO’s role as the regulator of international shipping, examined Nigeria’s strategic maritime position in continental trade, and highlighted growing sustainability concerns, particularly greenhouse gas emissions.
Sitsabeshan also shed light on the IMO’s GreenVoyage2050 Programme, stressing the need to inspire greater youth participation in maritime studies. According to him, attracting the next generation is vital to bridging generational gaps, improving gender diversity and meeting the evolving workforce demands of the global maritime industry.
In separate remarks, the Director of IMS-UNILAG, Mary Odukoya, and Tumininu Onamade, Country Director/Adviser on Sustainable Value Chains at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the event as a strategic platform for raising awareness about maritime opportunities while stimulating interest among young learners.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Professor Foluso Afolabi-Lesi, where discussions centred on potential collaborations and partnerships, particularly with the World Maritime University.
