Academia–Industry Partnership Takes Focus as UNILAG Marks World Maritime Day 2025

The need to strengthen collaboration between academia and key players in Nigeria’s maritime sector took 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.

Themed “From Classroom to Port: Academia’s Role in Shaping Sustainable Maritime Logistics and Supply Chains,” the webinar featured a presentation by Mr. Sadiq Abdu Dantata, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Alchemy International Limited, who delivered an insightful analysis of Nigeria’s maritime landscape.

Mr. Dantata provided a comprehensive overview of the sector, outlining persistent challenges—such as inefficiency, port congestion, bureaucratic delays, and corruption—that continue to impede Nigeria’s emergence as Africa’s leading maritime hub despite its vast coastline.

He emphasized the crucial role of the academia in repositioning the maritime industry, calling for deeper industry-academia collaboration to drive innovation, policy formulation, and capacity development. “The journey from classroom to port is non-linear, dynamic, and flexible,” he said, urging universities to provide experiential learning opportunities that would expose students to real-world industry practices and challenges.

In her remarks, Professor Abiodun Odukoya, Director of IMS-UNILAG, described the webinar as part of the Institute’s ongoing commitment to fostering knowledge exchange, research advancement, and human capital development in the maritime sector.

She stated, “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. Global disruptions—from the pandemic to changing energy demands—have shown us that resilient supply chains depend not just on technology and infrastructure, but also on well-prepared minds, continuous learning, and collaboration between academia and industry.”

Mr. Dantata, who has led Golden Alchemy International Limited since 2016, holds an Export 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. Under his leadership, the company has become a dynamic force in international trade, logistics, and corporate development.

Established in 2014 with the support of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Institute of Maritime Studies, University of Lagos (IMS-UNILAG) remains dedicated to producing skilled manpower for Nigeria’s maritime industry through comprehensive theoretical and practical training.

(For more information on IMS-UNILAG, visit: https://ims.unilag.edu.ng)