By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com
The President of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani, has congratulated the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on the commissioning and official launch of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) Application Portal.
In a statement issued on behalf of women maritime associations in the Nigerian maritime industry, Dr. Ani described the launch of the portal as a major milestone and a forward-looking initiative that would significantly enhance transparency, improve ease of access, and strengthen stakeholder confidence across the sector.
She commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HAdegboyega Oyetola, and the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, for their strong leadership, strategic vision, and commitment to addressing longstanding industry challenges through practical and innovative solutions.
According to her, the CVFF Application Portal reflects deliberate efforts by the Ministry and NIMASA to modernise maritime processes, deepen stakeholder engagement, and unlock new opportunities for operators and investors within the marine and blue economy ecosystem.
Dr. Ani noted that the initiative aligns with global best practices and reinforces Nigeria’s drive towards efficiency, inclusiveness, and sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
She further reaffirmed the support of women in the maritime ecosystem for policies and programmes that promote equity, professionalism, and innovation, while expressing optimism about continued collaboration with the Ministry, NIMASA, and other sector partners.
“We look forward to working together to build a more resilient, competitive, and inclusive maritime sector,” she stated, while once again congratulating the Ministry and NIMASA on what she described as a landmark achievement for the industry.
