Nigeria’s maritime sector received major recognition on Tuesday as the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) announced 12 industry leaders — including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Lekki Deep Seaport, and Lekki Freeport Terminal — as recipients of the 2025 MARCON Awards for Excellence.

The awards celebrate outstanding contributions to port development, maritime infrastructure, logistics innovation, and operational efficiency.

The honours will be formally presented on December 4 at the 2025 Nigeria Maritime Journalists Retreat, scheduled for De Marii Hotel in the Lagos Free Trade Zone — the fast-growing axis that hosts several of the country’s newest maritime investments. This year’s retreat is themed: “Maximising Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Import and Export Trade.”

In a joint statement, Paul Ogbuokiri, Chairman, and Adaku Onyenucheya, Secretary of the Conference Planning Committee, said Dangote and the Dangote Group were selected for more than two decades of transformative investment across Nigeria’s maritime value chain.

According to the organisers, Dangote’s influence spans the Dangote Refinery, Greenview Development Nigeria Limited, Blue Star Shipping, and other port-related ventures that have significantly strengthened maritime business in the country.

Lekki Freeport Terminal — Nigeria’s most automated container terminal — was also applauded for setting new operational standards, improving cargo flow, expanding barge operations, and enhancing user satisfaction within the Lekki maritime corridor.

On Lekki Deep Seaport, MARCON noted that the facility has helped position Nigeria as a rising regional transshipment hub, with lighter vessels now transporting Nigerian-bound cargo from Lagos to neighbouring countries including Ghana, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon.

The committee said Lekki Port has “officially positioned Nigeria as a new and formidable player in the global transshipment landscape,” boosting trade and reinforcing Nigeria’s role in Africa’s blue economy.

Other award recipients include:

• Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
• Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, President-General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN)
• Hussaini Magaji (SAN), Registrar/CEO, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
• Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General, NITDA
• Dr. Kevin Okonna, Acting Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN)
• Jama Onwubuariri, Managing Director, Truck Transit Parks Ltd.
• Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba (NCS, Apapa Command)
• Comptroller Wale Adenuga (NCS, Seme Command)
• Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar (NCS, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command)
• Integrated Indigo Limited

MARCON said the honourees have collectively deepened Nigeria’s participation in the blue economy, enhanced job creation, and improved the country’s attractiveness for maritime investment.

This year’s retreat is expected to advance conversations around port digitalisation, technology-driven trade, and the evolving dynamics of Nigeria’s maritime future.