NMMA: CG Customs, Taiwo, Usoro, Bivbere, Others Sweep Awards

BY KESIENNA SHEPHERDS

The 2026 edition of the Nigerian Maritime Merit Awards, NMMA has once again spotlighted excellence in the maritime sector, with industry leaders, institutions, and professionals clinching top honours across diverse categories.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Dr. Adewale Adeniyi, was voted Maritime Man of the Year, with an overwhelming 47.7 percent of the votes. He beat Taiwo Afolabi who pulled 21.6 percent of votes and Adewale Adeyanju, BOT Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria/Vice President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, who got 30.7 percent of the votes.

This is even as the Maritime Woman of the Year award went to Barr. Mfon Usoro, who recorded 36 percent of the total vote. She edged out Bola Muse with 34.4 percent and Faith Zibs Godwin who got 29.7 percent of the votes.

Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, was honoured as the Most Impactful Maritime CEO, while Capt. Sunday Umoren won the Master Mariner of the Year award.

SIFAX Group stood tall in the corporate social responsibility category, winning with 45.7 per cent of the votes.Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC came second with 33.3 per cent, while Tantita Security Services  received 21 per cent of the votes.

The prestigious Lifetime Maritime Achievement Award went to Taiwo Afolabi, Chairman of SIFAX Group who pulled 41.2 per cent votes. Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Chairman of Skelas Group, trailed with 32.2 per cent, and Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy who got 26.7 per cent of votes.

In the highly competitive media category, Godfrey Bivbere emerged as the Best Maritime Reporter of the Year, securing 42 percent of the 2,403 responses. He was closely followed by Oluwakemi Dauda with 31.1 percent, with Shulammite Olowofoyeku scoring 26.9 percent.

Legal and technical expertise was also celebrated, with Olisa Agbakoba, named Maritime Attorney of the Year, and Sylvanus Eferebo recognized as Marine Engineer of the Year.

In the financial category, Access Bank was named Best Duty Collecting Bank, winning with 38.7 percent. Fidelity Bank followed with 30.2 percent, while United Bank for Africa, UBA secured 31.2 percent of the votes.

Prince Olayiwola Shittu, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, emphasized that the awards are designed to inspire excellence and spotlight the individuals and institutions driving Nigeria’s maritime sector forward.

The grand investiture ceremony for all winners is scheduled to hold on March 30, 2026, at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The NMMA continues to serve as a beacon of recognition for outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s maritime industry. From journalists shaping narratives to companies driving corporate responsibility, and from government leaders to financial institutions, the awards highlight the diverse pillars sustaining the sector.