This year’s conference, themed “Financing Aviation in Nigeria: Risks, Opportunities and Prospects”, attracted key stakeholders, policymakers, industry players, and aviation experts from across the country. The event also featured the launch of a compendium celebrating champions of aviation development since 1999—a historic collection recognizing individuals and institutions that have shaped the growth of the aviation sector.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of LAAC, Mr. Idris Sulaiman, praised Dr. Afolabi as a “trailblazer in the ground handling sector”, noting that he played a pivotal role in the establishment of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC, which has since grown to become one of the leading ground handling companies in Africa.

Receiving the award on behalf of Dr. Afolabi, Vanessa Uansohia, Head of Corporate Communications at SAHCO, expressed appreciation to LAAC for the recognition. She reiterated the Chairman’s unwavering commitment to excellence, stating:

“Dr. Afolabi remains deeply committed to driving innovation and excellence in ground handling operations. This honour is a validation of SAHCO’s journey and continued dedication to service delivery, safety, and global best practices.”

The LAAC Conference continues to serve as a significant platform for dialogue on aviation policy, investment, and development, contributing to shaping the future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
SAHCO is the only ground handling company in Nigeria with operations in all commercial airports nationwide, delivering exceptional aviation ground handling services to both domestic and international airlines.

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But last month, everything changed.

In what many industry watchers are calling a transformational breakthrough for Nigerian exporters, SIFAX Shipping Company Limited announced the launch of a direct Less-than-Container Load (LCL) export service to the United Kingdom. The service, made possible through a partnership with Netcargo UK Limited, a subsidiary of the Net Cargo Group, promises to eliminate the long-standing pain of routing exports through multiple third-party countries.

“This is one of the most important moves we’ve made in advancing our export portfolio,” said Mr. Adekunle Owobamirin, General Manager, Groupage and Export Services at SIFAX Shipping. “We’re now positioned to offer uninterrupted export services to the UK market, giving our clients the ease and confidence they need to grow their international trade volumes.”

The implications are profound—especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who until now have struggled with high logistics costs, unpredictable transit timelines, and poor access to reliable export systems. The new service brings hope, predictability, and competitiveness—three critical ingredients often missing in Nigeria’s export sector.

Breaking the Cycle of Delay

Before now, Nigerian exporters often relied on transshipment hubs in Europe and the Middle East to get goods to the UK. This added weeks to delivery times, increased the risk of damage, and left exporters at the mercy of foreign customs regulations. The cost and chaos forced many SMEs out of the export game altogether.

Mrs. Adebayo, like many others, found herself caught in a loop—unable to meet international demand because of local infrastructural bottlenecks.

But with SIFAX’s new direct export service, exporters can now ship goods straight from Nigerian ports to the UK, drastically cutting turnaround time, minimizing risks, and reducing cost. For exporters of fashion, agricultural produce, furniture, and light manufacturing, the possibilities are enormous.

“It’s the first time I feel like someone understands our struggles,” said Mrs. Adebayo. “This is not just a business development; it’s a lifeline for people like me.”

A Bigger Vision: Import Expansion and Global Partnerships

The export service is only part of a broader transformation underway at SIFAX. The company has also secured strategic partnerships with WSC Logistics and Shotto Logistics Limited to bolster import operations. The arrangement allows goods from countries like India and China to be routed directly to SIFAX’s bonded terminals and warehouses in Nigeria, creating a streamlined experience for importers.

“Our bonded warehouse operations have been upgraded to accommodate the surge in volume,” Owobamirin explained. “This collaboration allows us to clear and dispatch cargo seamlessly, ensuring that goods keep moving and clients experience minimal delays.”

Under the third-party consolidator model, smaller logistics firms now gain access to SIFAX’s infrastructure and technical capacity—leveling the playing field and injecting efficiency into the system.

Trial shipments began in June, and full operations commenced in July. Already, the results are visible: faster clearances, fewer delays, and renewed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian ports to handle global trade efficiently.

Beyond Business—A Human-Centered Transformation

This move isn’t just about logistics or profit margins. It’s about people—entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, and creators—finally seeing a clear path to global relevance.

Take Musa, a shea butter exporter from Kaduna, who had almost given up after losing three bulk orders due to shipping delays. “Now I don’t have to worry about missing deadlines anymore. I can focus on quality and growth,” he said with a renewed sense of purpose.

Mr. Owobamirin emphasized the broader impact: “By improving direct export routes, especially to the UK, Nigerian businesses will benefit from reduced trade barriers, lower costs, and more jobs across the logistics chain.”

Indeed, the ripple effects are expected to be wide: more employment, increased investor confidence, better service delivery, and—most importantly—a chance for local businesses to expand beyond borders.

A Defining Moment

In a country where global trade has often been restricted to big players with deep pockets, this initiative by SIFAX Shipping is redefining the rules. It is giving SMEs a real shot at international success—something long overdue in a nation filled with raw talent and untapped potential.

As Nigeria pushes toward economic diversification and non-oil export growth, initiatives like this serve as practical answers to big policy questions. They are proof that when infrastructure meets intention, transformational change is possible.

And for business owners like Mrs. Adebayo and Musa, it’s more than a service. It’s a chance to dream big—and deliver.

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Speaking at the 7th Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime (TAAM) Conference, held at the University of Lagos over the weekend, Afolabi said Nigeria’s maritime sector remains underutilised despite its vast coastline and economic potential.

“Nigeria’s blue economy is a sleeping giant. With the right infrastructure, we can drive efficiency in our ports, create new jobs, attract much-needed investments, and protect our marine environment for future generations,” Afolabi said.

He stressed that modern, resilient, and sustainable port facilities are essential to making Nigeria’s ports globally competitive.

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was the Special Guest of Honour, outlined key government reforms aimed at repositioning the maritime industry as a major pillar of the national economy.

Oyetola highlighted the recently launched National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, describing it as a coordinated framework to harness opportunities in ports, fisheries, ocean governance, marine biotechnology, renewable energy, and coastal tourism.

He also pointed to major projects underway, including the Western Ports Rehabilitation Programme and the reconstruction of the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports. The Minister revealed plans to revive Nigeria’s National Shipping Carrier through a public-private partnership, which he said would boost indigenous participation in global trade.

Sustainability, Oyetola stressed, will remain at the core of the sector’s transformation, with a focus on energy efficiency, carbon emissions reduction, and waste management.

The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s improved maritime security, noting that the country has recorded zero piracy incidents in its waters for three consecutive years — a development that has stabilised the Gulf of Guinea and earned global commendation.

In addition, he disclosed Nigeria’s ambition to secure a Category “C” seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, positioning the country to contribute to shaping global maritime policies.

Oyetola further called on academic institutions to collaborate with the government in advancing maritime research, particularly in frontier areas such as marine robotics and emerging blue economy technologies.

The annual maritime conference, jointly organised by SIFAX Group and the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, has become one of the country’s leading platforms for critical discourse, policy development, and industry collaboration in the maritime space.

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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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