WISTA Nigeria Re-Elects Dr. Odunayo Ani, Unveils Agenda to Expand Women’s Role in Maritime
The Women in Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria has re-elected Dr. Odunayo Ani as President for a second term.
Her return was confirmed at the association’s Annual General Meeting held Thursday in Lagos, where she and other executives were elected unopposed.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, Ani described the renewed mandate as “a call to greater service.”
“I stand before you with gratitude, humility, and renewed determination. To be re-elected is not merely an honour, it is a responsibility,” she said.
Ani thanked WISTA’s ‘Diamonds’, executive members, and supporters for their confidence in her leadership. She noted that members first entrusted her with the role two years ago, and their decision to return her has strengthened her commitment.
“Your confidence remains the wind in my sails. I do not take this renewed support lightly,” she said.
She credited the administration’s achievements to committed members and dependable executives who consistently gave their time, ideas, and resources to collective programmes. “Teamwork remains central to our growth and influence,” Ani added.
Key achievements under her first term include policy advocacy, mentorship programmes for young female cadets, and amplifying Nigeria’s voice within the international WISTA community.
“None of these happened by chance. They happened because members showed up, spoke up, and stayed committed,” she said.
Ani said the maritime industry is changing rapidly, with digitalisation, decarbonisation, and diversity reshaping the sector. She stressed that these shifts require strategic and inclusive leadership.
Her second term will focus on three pillars: visibility, capacity, and impact.
“We will ensure Nigerian women are visible across the maritime industry — in boardrooms, ports, vessels, and policy discussions,” she said. She promised expanded training, stronger institutional partnerships, and a robust mentorship hub to prepare more women for global competition.
Ani also pledged stronger advocacy for gender-inclusive maritime policies. “To every young lady, there is space for you here,” she said.
She called on regulators, stakeholders, and male allies to sustain support, noting: “Progress in maritime is not only a women’s agenda. It is Nigeria’s agenda, and we must move together.”
During her first tenure, WISTA Nigeria’s membership grew by 261 between March 2024 and March 2026. The association participated in major consultations with the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, customs roundtables, and Seafarers Day commemorations. It also drove youth advocacy, ocean economy awareness, and maritime tech education under its CSR programmes.
Internationally, WISTA Nigeria boosted visibility through conferences in Cyprus, Barcelona, and Cape Town, and secured representation on global committees. Ani disclosed that the association is preparing to host the WISTA Africa Conference in Lagos this June.
At the AGM, members observed a minute’s silence for departed leaders and relatives.
The swearing-in was presided over by WISTA Diamond Rollens Macfoy, popularly known as the ‘Mother of Seafarers’. Macfoy advised the new executive on strategies to strengthen the association locally, regionally, and internationally.
Other elected executives are: Edidiong Akpanebe Sola-Abalo, Vice President; Lilian Mac-Jaja Nneji, General Secretary; Hanna Adaba, Treasurer; Vivian Chimezie-Azubuike, Public Relations Officer; Oluwatoyin Oyeleke, Assistant Secretary; and Aisha Cole, Assistant Treasurer. The position of Assistant Public Relations Officer remains vacant.
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