The Maritime Forum, University of Lagos, in partnership with SIFAX Group, is set to host the 10th edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference (TAAM) on July 20–21, 2026. Now recognised as West Africa’s largest student-led maritime conference, the event is expected to draw over 2,000 participants from government, academia, the maritime industry, corporate organisations, and the media.

This year’s theme is “Ten Tides of Impact: Raising a Generation to Position Nigeria as Africa’s Blue Giant.” The conference will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and policy conversations led by notable figures including Dr. Emeka Akabogu, NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola, UNILAG Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Dr. Odunayo Ani of WISTA Nigeria, alongside representatives from the Danish Consulate and other maritime organisations.

Over the past decade, SIFAX Group has remained the conference’s strongest supporter, helping transform TAAM into a leading platform for youth engagement, industry collaboration, and maritime capacity development.

Dare Tunde Damilola, President of the Maritime Forum, described the anniversary edition as a legacy platform built to strengthen ties between industry and academia while developing the next generation of maritime professionals and policy leaders. He noted that the conference aims to foster conversations on the future of Nigeria’s maritime sector, bridge the gap between students and practitioners, encourage youth innovation and leadership, deepen stakeholder engagement, and create networking and mentorship opportunities.

Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head of Corporate Communications at SIFAX Group, said the company continues to support the initiative because it serves as a strategic platform that connects academic theory with practical industry knowledge while cultivating students’ interest in the maritime sector.

A major highlight of this year’s programme is the anniversary edition of the Blueprint Debate Competition, one of TAAM’s longest-running intellectual initiatives. Since the conference launched in 2016, the competition has grown into a nationally recognised platform where students debate maritime, economic, governance, and public policy issues.