Maritime Media Limited, publishers of Shipping World magazine and organizers of the Maritime Industry Merit Award (MIMA) has announced winners for the 2026 edition at the end of a 60-day voting process which ended at midnight on December 31, 2025.
The Maritime Man of the Year 2025 went to the Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi scoring 47.7 percent and beating the Skelas Group Chairman, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, JP, who scored 32.2 percent, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, scored 26.7 percent while Comrade Adewale Adeyanju scordd 30.7 percent.
Afolabi also took home the Lifetime Maritime Achievement Award.
The Comptroller General of Customs CGC, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, emerged as the Most Maritime Media Friendly CEO, scoring 41.8 percent beating the Nigerian Ports Authority MD Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho to second place with 33 percent while the former National Inland Waterways Authority MD, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, came third with 25.2 percent.
The Most Impactful Maritime CEO went to NIMASA DG, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.
The Most Outstanding Corporate Governance award went to SIFAX Group.
Other award winners are Master Mariner of the Year, Capt. Sunday Umosen; Marine Engr. of the Year, Capt. Sylvanus Eferebo; the Best Maritime Reporter of the Year, Godfrey Bivbere; the Tin Can Customs Command Controller, Compt. Frank Onyeka took two awards as Most Outstanding Customs Area Controller in Revenue and Anti-Smuggling; Most Maritime Friendly Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu; Most Influential Niger Delta Personality, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri; Former DG NIMASA, Mrs. Mfon Usoro beat two others to emerge Maritime Woman of the Year.
Best Duty Collecting bank went to Access Bank PLC; Best Bonded Terminal went to Haritex Services Ltd; Best Company in Corporate Governance, Oil & Gas, went to Renaissance Africa Energy Company Ltd; Most Efficient Port Administration went to Tin Can Island Port beating Lekki Deep Seaport and Onne Port.
Best Marine and Blue Economy Spokesperson went to NPA Head of Corporate Affairs, Ikechukwu Onyemechara.
Customs Broker of the Year, Sir Emenike Nwokeoji; Freight Forwarder of the Year, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.
Best Maritime Agency, Corporate Governance, went to NPA; Best Indigenous Shipowner went to Benedine Eloka, Clarion Shipping West Africa Ltd.
The investiture of the awardees will take place at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on March 30, 2026, the announcement signed by the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Prince Olayiwola Shittu said.
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