When maritime journalist Kelvin Kagbare, stood before AMJON group of reporters in Lagos earlier this year, he didn’t just speak about the upcoming AMJON 2025 Conference, he spoke about a dream. A dream that Nigeria’s maritime sector, often burdened with inefficiencies, could become a global benchmark for excellence. That dream is set to come alive on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Lagos, where the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) will host its highly anticipated Conference and Awards in partnership with NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML).
But beyond the theme—“Maritime Development: Training, Port Efficiency and Shipping Imperatives”—lies a deeply human story: one of resilience, reform, and the quiet power of the press to shape national conversations.
A Sector at the Crossroads
For dockworkers at Apapa, port officials in Onne, and freight forwarders across Tin Can Island, the maritime sector is more than a career—it’s a livelihood. But many of them have had to battle with systemic delays, cargo congestion, limited automation, and fragmented policies. These challenges aren’t just economic—they’re personal. Delayed cargo can mean lost business. A poor training framework can cost jobs. Inefficient ports can paralyze the value chain.
That is why this year’s AMJON conference has taken on a deeper urgency.
> “This conference is for everyone who has ever waited two weeks to clear a container,” said Kelvin Kagbare, President of AMJON. “It’s for the customs officer under pressure to process paperwork manually, and for the young logistics graduate who can’t find modern training. We’re convening this to ensure that the system works for people, not just policy papers.”
A Platform for Reform—and Recognition
The conference, expected to kick off at 10:00 a.m., will host key maritime policymakers, port administrators, digital innovators, and industry operators. They are not just coming to talk—they are coming to listen and act. There will be papers presented on how automation, port digitalization, and smart shipping technologies can revolutionize efficiency, reduce human error, and restore trust in Nigeria’s maritime value chain.
Chairman of the planning committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, insists that the sessions will not be abstract. “We have deliberately structured the panels to reflect real-life maritime experiences—from clearing agents to captains, from government regulators to private terminal operators. Their voices matter.”
Equally important is the awards segment, where AMJON will honour individuals and institutions whose actions have positively influenced maritime development in Nigeria. These honourees, Ogbuokiri revealed, were selected based on AMJON’s rigorous standards of excellence, which prioritize transparency, innovation, and impact.
The People Behind the Ports
One of the most touching elements of this year’s event is its human-centered focus. A special panel will explore how training—or the lack of it—is affecting lives. For 32-year-old Alare, a young lady who recently completed a maritime logistics course in Port Harcourt, the lack of hands-on mentorship has been frustrating. “I feel like I studied the theory, but the system hasn’t created room for me to practice,” she says.
Kagbare believes these are the kinds of stories that need to be heard. “Behind every policy failure is a human face. This conference is not about blame—it’s about building bridges, closing gaps, and sharing the success stories, too.”
Beyond the Conference Hall
While the Sheraton may host the dialogue, the impact must extend to every jetty, terminal, and shipping lane. Participants are assured of actionable resolutions, business collaborations, and practical roadmaps that will drive development long after the event ends. AMJON also hopes the gathering will spark renewed trust between maritime journalists and stakeholders—a partnership built not just on reportage, but on a shared mission for industry renewal.
In a sector often misunderstood, AMJON continues to wield its pen with purpose. The 2025 Conference is not just a calendar event—it is a call to consciousness, where policy meets people, and change begins with conversations that matter.
For the thousands who rely on Nigeria’s ports to survive, grow, and compete globally, AMJON’s work is a lifeline—and this year’s gathering might just be the wind that lifts their sails.
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