Godfrey Bivbere, CG Customs, NIMASA DG, Taiwo Afolabi, others sweep awards at NMMA
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.
In the highly competitive media category, Godfrey Bivbere emerged as the Best Maritime Reporter of the Year, securing 42 per cent of the 2,403 responses. He was closely followed by Oluwakemi Dauda with 31.1 per cent, while Shulammite Olowofoyeku garnered 26.9 per cent.
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.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was voted Maritime Man of the Year, with an overwhelming 47.7 per cent of the votes. He beat Taiwo Afolabi who pulled 21.6 per cent of votes as against Adewale Adeyanju, BOT Chairman of MWUN/Vice President of NLC that got 30.7 per cent of the votes.
The award for Maritime Woman of the Year went to Mfon Usoro who received 36 per cent of the votes. She edged out Bola Muse who got 34.4 per cent of the votes and was trailed by Faith Zibs Godwin who got 29.7 per cent of the votes.
Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA, was honoured as the Most Impactful Maritime CEO, while Capt. Sunday Umoren took home the Master Mariner of the Year award.
Legal and technical expertise were 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 per cent. Fidelity Bank followed with 30.2 per cent, while United Bank for Africa, UBA secured 31.2 per cent of the votes.
The grand investiture ceremony for all winners is scheduled to hold on March 30, 2026, at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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 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.
