Industry stakeholders have lauded the appointment of Iroghama Ogbeifun and other members to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Governing Board, a move seen as a boost to the maritime sector’s governance and growth.
The appointments, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and effective from June 24, 2025, are pursuant to Section 5 of the NIMASA Act, which empowers the Board to set the agency’s financial, commercial, and operational policies.
Ogbeifun, managing director/CEO of Starzs Investments Company Limited and chairman of the Technical Committee of the Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), was among the notable appointees.
In their congratulatory message, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), lauded Ogbeifun, who is the chief executive officer of Starzs Investments Company Limited, on her appointment.
WISTA, President, Dr. Odunayo Ani, described the appointment as recognition of Iroghama’s qualities as a maritime employer of labour, technocrat and contributor to the development of the sector.
President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, Dr. Odunayo Ani described Iroghama as a prominent and active member of WISTA Nigeria, who has consistently demonstrated her commitment to the growth and development of the sector—serving as a panelist at key industry events, sharing her knowledge and experience, and providing consistent support to the association both financially and otherwise.
“We are immensely proud of Ogbeifun’s achievements and her unwavering support for WISTA Nigeria and shipping development in Nigeria over the years,” Dr. Ani said.
Industry experts have seen Iroghama’s appointment as a testament to the discerning vision of Mr President, and the administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening institutions, recognising and enlisting individuals of exceptional merit and proven excellence in critical national assignments.
The appointment of Iroghama comes as no surprise to those who have closely witnessed her passion for innovation, commitment to excellence, and tireless drive for growth and transformation.
Her relentless passion for pioneering new ideas, fostering sustainable growth, and upholding the highest standards of excellence has been a hallmark of her leadership within the Starzs Group. Through her strategic foresight and unwavering dedication, she has also made significant contributions to the advancement of the maritime industry and the emerging blue economy framework in Nigeria and beyond.
Iroghama holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and a Master of Science degree in Public Health and Health Promotion from Brunel University, London. She is also an alumna of the Harvard Business School through its Owner/President Management (OPM) programme and holds professional certifications in Commercial Risk in Shipping from Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and certification on comprehensive understanding of the shipping business and operations from the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping. With over 11 years’ experience in maritime business operations, she draws on her exceptional depth of expertise and skills to lead on strategy while overseeing critical areas such as business development, finance, research and policy.
For her, revenue performance is a crucial part of a leader’s scorecard and she has solid achievements in this regard. Among other accomplishments, she helped Starzs qualify for $15 million in Mezzanine Debt for the expansion of company business in 2015. Under her management, the company has also grown its assets base from 3 ships in 2014 to 11 ships as at February 2021, an important milestone that reinforces the company’s stature as a key player in Nigeria’s maritime logistics industry.
Other members are representatives of Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy, Labour, Nigeria Navy, the director general of NIMASA and other persons with cognate experience in maritime, shipping and labour matters. The new Board was inaugurated on Wednesday 2nd July, 2025.
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