he need to foster collaboration between the academia and key players in the maritime sector took the centre stage as the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos (IMS-UNILAG) hosted a webinar on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, to commemorate World Maritime Day 2025.
The webinar tagged From Classroom to Port: Academia’s Role in Shaping Sustainable Maritime Logistics and Supply Chains featured a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Alchemy International Limited, Sadiq Abdu Dantata.
The presentation provided a detailed overview of the Nigerian Maritime sector, and highlighted factors hindering Nigeria from being Africa’s maritime hub despite its vast coastal line. According to him, the level of inefficiency, port congestion, delays, corruption and other vices were major factors adversely affecting maritime trade volumes across all ports in Nigeria.
While underscoring the indispensability of the academia in the development of a virile maritime industry, the guest speaker advocated a stronger industry-academia partnership to reposition the maritime sector in Nigeria. He stressed the need for the academia to embrace tech-driven solutions and research engagements tailored towards policy formulation to drive development.
Mr. Dantata adjudged the classroom to port journey as non-linear, dynamic and flexible. He urged universities to provide experiential opportunities for students, to build capacity right from the classrooms and expose them to the reality in the maritime industry.
In her remarks, the Director of IMS-UNILAG, Professor Abiodun Odukoya noted that the webinar to mark 2025 World Maritime Day aimed to drive knowledge, research and human capacity development in the maritime industry.
Her words, “Universities and maritime institutes play a critical role in preparing the next generation of professionals, developing research that solves industry problems, and providing ideas that shape policy and innovation. We have seen how global disruptions—from the pandemic to changing energy demands—remind us that resilient and efficient supply chains cannot rely on technology and infrastructure alone. They also need well-prepared minds, continuous learning, and collaboration between the classroom and the industry. That is why today’s discussions are so important. They give us the opportunity to explore how academia and industry can work together—whether in green shipping, digitalization, or building stronger supply chains.”
Sadiq Abdu Dantata assumed the position of CEO, Golden Alchemy International Limited, in 2016. Through his strategic leadership, he has propelled the company into a dynamic force in international trade, logistics, and corporate development. He holds an Exports Management Certificate from Lagos Business School, an MSc in International Business from Hult International Business School, and a BSc in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom (UK).
IMS-UNILAG was established with the support of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in 2014. The Institute is dedicated to providing suitable manpower for contemporary maritime industry through comprehensive theoretical and practical maritime training (For more information on IMS- UNILAG, please click: https://ims.unilag.edu.ng).
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
