The National President/ Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi ( OFR, MFR, Fellow CILT) and former Corp Marshall of Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), stated this when he declared open the 14th Edition of WILAT Day Conference and Award on Thursday, 6th August, 2026 at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos State.
“I congratulate also the leadership and membership of WILAT Nigeria on the occasion of the 14th edition of Wilat Nigeria conference and award 2026, which has demonstrated excellence in leadership, professional development.
He said that Wilat has continued to serve as a role model in Nigeria and around the world in which women continue to make significant contribution to the logistics, transportation, maritime, aviation, rail, road transport, and supply chain management, inland waterway and public policy. And their great presence in leadership position is enriching decision making, broadening perspective and inspiring new generation of professionals.
The National President informed that the conference and award ceremony came days members gathered in the Nation’s Capital, Abuja to celebrate the presentation of Book: “Birth Before the Spread.” A publication documenting the remarkable journey of WILAT from its humble beginning in 2010, sixteen years ago to a respectable and enviable “International Movement” which has spread 40 countries across the globe.
“This year’s conference represents another important milestone in that journey and it really demonstrate that Wilat Nigeria has greatly involved beyond idea into a strong professional institutions that continue to influence policies, developing leaders, and mentoring the next generation and promoting excellence, competency across the logistics, transport, supply chain sectors.” This progress he said deserved commendation and recognition.
The National President revealed that the choice of this year’s theme: Driving Results: Time Mastery in Logistics and Transport is both timely and significant. Because in the area of logistics and transport, time is of valuable resources unlike other resources. It can not be recovered once lost.
“Everyday in ports, Every hours lost in space in travelling, every inefficient cargo handling process and every administrative bottlenecks translate directly to increase in cost, reduced productivity and diminishes all efforts put in place to have a smooth operations.
“Therefore the challenge is not to simplify to work harder; It is to work smarter by eliminating waste, enhancing technology, simplify processes, build system to goods and information more efficiently for the logistics profession,” Dr. Boboye said.
Delving more into the theme, the Fellow Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Chartered Institute of Management disclosed that “Time Mastery means improving in planning, embracing digital solutions, strengthening coordination across supply chain and making decisions based on accurate and timely information.
Accordingly, the institution need to develop efficient regulatory framework, improve infrastructure and remove various bottlenecks hindering the movement of goods and services.
He concluded that the true measure of successful conference is not the quality of presentation alone, but that the knowledge acquired in the course of the presentation is translate into a good professional practice, stronger institution and better outcome for a better society, stronger solutions for the advancement of logistics and transport in Nigeria.
In her address of welcome, WILAT Nigeria Chairperson, Mrs Khadijat Sheidu – Shabi said: “On behalf of Executive Committee and entire membership of Women in Logistics and Transport Nigeria, it is with honour and privilege that I warmly welcomed you all to the 14th edition of WILAT Day Conference and Awards.
She said the presence of the esteem guests, members, speakers, past presidents, representatives from West African countries and other stakeholders demonstrates their unwavering believe and commitment in the ideas of inclusion, and professional excellence.
We deeply appreciate all your efforts, contributions, continued partnership and support.
Mrs Sheidu – Shabi said: “This year’s conference is particularly significant, in the sense that it is not just another annual gathering but a celebration of resilience, vision, purposeful leadership and remarkable journey of WILAT over the years. She noted that on 30th July 2026, precisely a week ago we gathered together in Abuja in the annal history of the association for a successful launched and presentation of WILAT BOOK: Titled “Birth Before The Spread”
The publication, she opined is far more than collections of pages; It isa story of courage, of sacrifice, determination and excellence which women are known for.
The book contains the journey of women and supporting men who believe that logistics and transport will become stronger when women are giving a space to lead, innovate and serve.
She disclosed that WILAT Nigeria is the female arm of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria, established in 2010 by its founder Aishat Alli – Ibrahim and went global in 2013 and 16 years down the line Wilat remains the authentic voice for the women in logistics and transport sector and has spread across 40 countries and still counting.
She said the book stands as a legacy for future generations and testament that dream when passionately pursue with determination and commitment becomes a reality and history.
The Wilat Chairperson said that: “Our progress have been driven by unwavering commitment to our five strategic trust which are, *Leadership *Mentorship *Entrepreneurship *Empowerment and * Social Responsibility.
This pillars remains the core values and guiding principles behind every programmes we undertake and we continue to anchored on our enduring value of competence, professionalism, dynamism that defined who we really are.
Speaking on this year’s theme: Driving Results: Time Mastery in Logistics and Transport, the Chairperson said that in our industry, every delay vessels, every missed flight, connection, every late cargo delivery, every inefficient process, and every postponed decisions carried a significant economic consequences. As time management is no longer a personal discipline; It is a strategic imperative for national development and global competitive.
On her part, Founder of WILAT, Mrs Aishat Alli – Ibrahim said Wilat was birth as a vision to berth leaders, build capacity and spread impact across logistics, transport and supply chain.
Seeing all the esteem guests, members, professionals, past leaders, captains of industry gathered at this event for knowledge sharing, networking, tells us that the vision is really alive.
She then said that “Our strength is our unity and Our legacy is in the impact we create together and may the journey of knowledge, connection and purpose be sustained.
She congratulated all the role models and welcomed them on board.
Mrs Alli – Ibrahim envisaged a future where women would have a stronger voice, greater opportunities and a great platform to thrive and on 12th of June 2010 planted a seed that has grown into Women in Logistics and Transport and has flourish in 40 countries. This makes her a distinguished professional, visionary leader and a passionate advocate for women.
In her goodwill message, Ghana WILAT Chairperson said I bring greetings from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Ghana to WILAT Nigeria.
The President and entire members of the Institute and also on behalf of the Executive Committee and Women in Logistics and Transport WILAT Ghana and as Chairperson extend our warm and heartfelt congratulations to Wilat Nigeria on the occasion of your 14th edition of WILAT Day Conference and Awards 2026.
We commend your continue commitment to advancing women leadership and professional excellence within the logistics and transport sector.
Ghana’s Wilat Chairperson disclosed that this year’s theme: Driving Results: Time Mastery in Logistics and Transport reflects a timely and strategic focus on operational excellence and sustainable leadership growth. “As a fellow advocate for advancement of women in the profession, Wilat Ghana stand in solidarity with Wilat Nigeria and celebrate this significant milestone. We are confident that at the end of conference, it would be a platform for knowledge exchange, collaborations and impactful decisions that further strengthening our profession across the African continent as we look forward to a continue partnership between our Chapters, as we collaborate collectively, promoting excellence, inclusion, innovation in logistics and transport.
The highlights of the event was the launched and presentation of the book Birth Before The Spread which was launched and presented before the gathering by Olori Vicky Harstruup and followed by others eminent guests who also launched the book with undisclosed amounts.
Deserving members, eminent guests, professionals, and other stakeholders were also honoured and presented with various awards for their outstanding contributions, and for taking WILAT Nigeria to a greater heights and national and glonal recognition.
Among those honoured with awards was the National President of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Nigeria, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi (OFR,MFR, Fellow CILT) for his fatherly role, wise counsel, mentorship and for identifying with WILAT ideals, mission and vision and for his outstanding contributions in supporting women in logistics and transport.
Also honoured was the Founder of WILAT, Mrs Aishat Alli – Ibrahim for a vision in creating a platform for voice of women to be heard in the logistics and transport sector and them to be among decision makers in that sectors.
Many role models were also inducted into Wilat and were presented with plagues as a mark of honour and recognitions.
Also the three guest speakers were also honoured and giving plagues for their outstanding presentation and in a way they delivered their papers.
