SIFAX Group Honoured for Championing Gender Inclusion in Maritime Industry

Head, Clearing and Forwarding, SIFAX Group, Ololade Tifase (centre left); receiving the Distinguished Gender Inclusion Award from the United Nations Consultant on Maritime, Dr. Felicia Mogo (centre right), at the Chamber of Shipping 4th Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference held in Lagos. They are flanked from the left by the Director-General Nigeria Chamber of Shipping, Mrs Vivian Chimezie Azubuike, HSE Officer, SIFAX Group, Ayomide Oluwasanya; and from the right, HR Specialist, SIFAX Group, Ms. Precious Alozie and Head Stevedoring,SIFAX Group, Mrs. Pat Nwaogwugwu

At the recently concluded 2025 Women in Maritime and Shipping Conference held in Lagos, SIFAX Group emerged as the sole recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Gender Inclusion Award, in recognition of its exceptional efforts in advancing gender equality within Nigeria’s maritime industry.

The award, presented by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, was the only recognition conferred at the annual event and is reserved for an organisation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to bridging the gender gap in the sector.

Speaking during the presentation, the Director-General of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Mrs. Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, praised SIFAX Group for leading the charge in driving inclusive policies that empower women across various levels of the industry.

“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), described the honour as a reflection of the company’s long-standing commitment to equity and inclusion.

“At SIFAX Group, gender inclusion is not just a concept—it is a core part of our organisational culture,” Dawodu said. “We sincerely appreciate the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping for this recognition. It inspires us to continue championing initiatives that give women equal opportunities to grow and thrive in the maritime sector.”

Beyond the award, SIFAX Group was specially featured during the conference in a segment that highlighted its gender inclusion policies and the real-life impact on women within its workforce. From female engineers managing cargo terminals to senior women executives shaping strategic direction, the company’s story stood out as a model of progress in an industry still grappling with gender disparity.

The event drew participation from both national and international maritime stakeholders, including representatives from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Lloyd’s Register, the International Chamber of Shipping, and several African maritime bodies, who joined virtually to lend global weight to the occasion.

For many attendees, SIFAX Group’s recognition was more than ceremonial—it marked a moment of reckoning for the maritime industry. In a space long dominated by male leadership, the company’s deliberate inclusion of women across operations, management, and policy development signals a shifting tide.

Industry watchers say the award not only affirms SIFAX Group’s role as a trailblazer but also underscores the importance of inclusive practices as key to sustainable growth.

As Nigeria and the wider African maritime sector continue to evolve, the story of SIFAX Group offers a clear lesson: when organizations invest in gender equity, they not only transform lives—they elevate the entire industry.

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