Mr. Olusesan Ajayi, FICS, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS).
The election took place during the Institute’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos over the weekend.
In his acceptance speech, Ajayi expressed gratitude and acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that he had been well-prepared for the role over the past decade.
According to him, education, training, and innovation are key priorities for his tenure and outlined plans to establish various committees, including those focused on education and training, membership, and research and innovation.
He highlighted the need to address the skills gap within the shipping industry, noting the rapid technological advancements and the shift towards green energy.
The new Chairman committed to ensuring that members of the Institute are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in the evolving maritime sector.
“We need to start developing human capital that will fill in these positions in line with the dictates of the Institute,” Ajayi said.
He also called for greater collaboration with financial institutions and government agencies, such as the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), to support the industry’s growth and create employment opportunities for qualified members.
Others elected are Bello Turkur as Vice Chairman, Sampson Arigbede as General Secretary, Ola Alabi as Treasurer, Ijeoma Achodo as Deputy Secretary, Samuel Ebidunmi as Head of Education and Training, and Tobi Alade as Public Relations Officer.
During the AGM, Chairman of the ICS West Africa Branch, Capt. Samuel Olarewaju, delivered a welcome address in which he commended the dedication and hard work of the chapter committee in organizing the event.
He said “The resources, the education, and the networking opportunities provided by our Institute are invaluable. We must continue to work towards making sure we improve and grow, not just for ourselves, but for the benefit of the entire West African region”.
Capt. Tami Adu, a veteran ship broker delivered a paper titled “Navigating the Future of Maritime Industry: Challenges and Opportunities for Chartered Shipbrokers in Nigeria”.
In his presentation, Capt. Adu delved into the transformative trends reshaping the global maritime landscape, emphasizing the critical role that shipbrokers must play in adapting to these changes.
He noted that the maritime industry is currently undergoing a period of rapid transformation, driven by technological advancements, environmental regulations, and shifting global trade patterns.
He said “As chartered shipbrokers, it is imperative that we not only understand these technologies but also leverage them to provide more efficient and value-added services to our clients”.
