The two day Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference of the League of Maritime Editors ended on Thursday, August 20, 2026, with Felix Kumuyi emerging as the new president of the association for the next two years.
The meeting, held at BWC Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together maritime journalists, regulators, policymakers, port operators and other stakeholders to examine challenges confronting Nigeria’s maritime sector and the uneven distribution of cargo traffic among the nation’s ports.
The AGM was chaired by Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu, while the election of new executives was conducted at Virgin Rose Resort ahead of the final day of the conference.
In her welcome address, the immediate past president, Pastor (Mrs.) Remi Itie, charged journalists to remain committed to their responsibility as agenda setters and critical stakeholders in national development.
Itie said the media had a duty not only to inform the public about developments within and outside the country, but also to educate citizens and stimulate constructive conversations around issues affecting national growth.
She said the conference was organised to identify gaps, examine opportunities and share practical lessons capable of contributing to the development of Nigeria, particularly the Marine and Blue Economy.
The former president said the theme of the conference, “Lagos/Eastern Ports: How to Reverse Existing Imbalance in Disproportionate Cargo Calls,” was deliberately chosen to provoke a holistic examination of the factors responsible for the disparity in cargo traffic between Lagos and Eastern ports.
She urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to develop strategies capable of attracting more cargo to Eastern ports, arguing that a more balanced distribution would strengthen the economies of coastal states and improve Nigeria’s overall revenue potential.
Itie also called for greater attention to the development of the nation’s coastal areas, modernisation of seaports and urgent action against pollution and waste along the coastal corridor, warning that environmental degradation could undermine public health and the export potential of marine products.
The conference featured presentations from major agencies in the maritime sector. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Planning, Mr. Seyi Iyawe, spoke on “Port Modernisation: Its Impact on the Maritime Industry.”
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, represented by Edward Osagie, examined “The Essentials of Port Security and Challenges,” while the Director General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, formerly the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, represented by Adaora Nwonu, addressed the role of the agency in promoting equitable cargo distribution.
The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Dr. Kevin Okonna, represented by the Head of Department, Quality Assurance, Dr. Lawal Hakeem, presented an overview of the academy and its role in developing manpower for the maritime industry. The Nigeria Customs Service also delivered a goodwill message.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mrs. Anastasia Ogbonna, acknowledged that the concentration of cargo in Lagos had contributed to congestion, delays, higher logistics costs, demurrage and pressure on connecting roads.
Oyetola, however, said continued investment in Lagos should not be interpreted as neglect of Eastern ports, stressing that the Federal Government was working to strengthen ports such as Onne, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar to support industrial activity, exports and economic development across the South East and South South.
He noted that infrastructure alone would not guarantee cargo redistribution, explaining that shipping lines consider factors such as draft, berth availability, cargo volumes, turnaround time, security, tariffs, connectivity and operational predictability when choosing ports.
The chairman of the occasion, Captain Ebubeogu, commended the League for selecting a theme that addressed critical issues across the maritime industry, particularly the economic challenges confronting Eastern ports. The interactive session also generated robust contributions, with the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, questioning some unresolved operational issues raised by the resource persons.
At the close of the proceedings, the newly elected executives, led by Felix Kumuyi as president, were sworn in by Ogbonna, representing the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. The new leadership is expected to steer the affairs of the League for the next two years, while a communiqué from the conference is expected to outline recommendations for improving cargo distribution, port efficiency and the development of Nigeria’s maritime economy.