The President of the Women in Maritime Association, Nigeria (WIMA Nigeria), and Group Manager, LTT Coastal & Marine Services Ltd, Mrs Theodore Nwaeze, has called for greater participation of women in leadership and decision-making, stressing that women must be active partners in shaping the future of Nigeria.
Nwaeze made the call at the 8th Global Leadership Summit & Awards 2026, held in Lagos on Saturday, with the theme, “Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development.”
She said transformative leadership should go beyond occupying positions of authority, noting that it requires creating lasting impact, developing human capacity and promoting institutions that embrace innovation, excellence, transparency and accountability.
The WIMA president said women’s participation in leadership is particularly important to Nigeria’s development, as their contributions could produce benefits that extend beyond individuals to families, organisations, communities and the wider economy.
“As an association committed to advancing the participation and leadership of women in the maritime sector, WIMA Nigeria strongly believes that women must be active partners in shaping the future of our institutions, industries and nation.
“When women are empowered to lead, contribute and innovate, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, organisations, communities and the wider economy,” she said.
Nwaeze also highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s maritime sector to contribute to economic diversification, job creation and sustainable growth, given the country’s maritime resources and strategic position.
She stressed that harnessing the sector’s potential would require collaborative and transformative leadership across government, industry, academia and civil society.
The WIMA president urged participants at the summit to go beyond sharing ideas by building partnerships, inspiring action and developing practical solutions capable of translating into measurable progress.
Nwaeze commended the organiser for sustaining the summit as a platform for dialogue, learning, recognition and the promotion of transformative leadership.
