Hadiza Bala Usman to deliver MAMAL 2026 keynote address

The Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) to President Bola Tinubu and former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, will deliver the keynote address at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) 2026 Maritime Annual Maritime Lecture (MAMAL).

The annual lecture is scheduled to hold on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Nigerian Air Force Event Centre, No. 1 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos and not at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, as earlier announced.

This development was announced in a press release signed by the President of MARAN, Mr. Yinka Onigbinde. He also disclosed that the Executive Director, Technical, of TANTITA Security Services Limited, Captain Warredi Enisouh will serve as the Chairman of MAMAL 2026, while the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, will be the Special Guest of Honour .

He reiterated that the theme of this year’s lecture is “Nigerian Ports Modernisation, Charges and the Competitiveness Question.”

MAMAL is MARAN’s flagship programme that brings together key government officials, maritime industry regulators, academics, shipping magnates, freight forwarders, journalists and other critical stakeholders in the maritime sector to deliberate on issues affecting the growth and competitiveness of Nigeria’s maritime industry.

Speaking on the significance of the theme, the MARAN President said the lecture would provide an important platform to examine the urgent need for modernization of Nigerian ports and the benefits such modernization would bring to the nation’s economy.

According to him, efficient and modern port infrastructure is critical to improving cargo handling, reducing delays and costs, attracting investment and strengthening Nigeria’s position as a competitive maritime hub.

Onigbinde said MAMAL 2026 would also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in constructive discussions on port charges and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.

He described Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman as an experienced voice in the maritime sector whose wealth of knowledge and experience would add significant value to the discussions at the lecture.

The MARAN President also expressed the Association’s appreciation to Captain Warredi Enisouh for accepting to chair the event, describing his experience in maritime security and industry development as an added value to the programme.

He noted that the presence of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy as Special Guest of Honour further underscores the importance of the theme and the Federal Government’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s maritime sector for greater efficiency and competitiveness.

The MARAN President noted that the 2026 edition of MAMAL is the fourth in the series, underscoring the Association’s commitment to providing a credible platform for informed debate and professional engagement on critical maritime issues.

MARAN therefore invited government officials, maritime regulators, operators, academics, freight forwarders, shipping companies, port users, industry associations, the media and other stakeholders to participate in the landmark event.