Bola Muse Expresses Concern About Low Female Representation in Freight Forwarding

The CEO of Bomarah Group and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s Maritime industry, Hadjia Bola Muse has expressed concerns regarding the lack of female representation in the freight forwarding sector. She emphasized the pressing need for gender inclusion in this vital area of the maritime field.

In a recent interview, Hajia Bola, who is also the Financial Secretary of the Nigerian Barge Operators Association, expressed disappointment over the limited participation of women in freight forwarding, despite their increasing presence in other maritime sectors.

“The key issue is the need for more women in the freight forwarding sub-sector, where their representation is very low,” she stated, urging stakeholders to address this disparity with concrete solutions.

With over 30 years of experience, Hajia Bola believes that women are not only capable but also crucial for the industry’s growth and modernization. She credited her own success to self-discipline, ongoing education, and strong leadership principles, noting that her performance has earned her the respect of her male peers.

“In my role, I lead while the men follow—not to overshadow anyone, but because I excel in my work,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of merit-based leadership.

She rejected the idea that women in maritime are seeking special treatment, asserting instead that they are merely asking for equal opportunities to make significant contributions to the field.

“Women bring discipline, attention to detail, and a strong sense of responsibility—qualities that the freight forwarding sector urgently needs for efficiency and transparency,” she stressed.

Discussing the logistics and barge operations sector, she noted that many clients prefer to work with female freight agents due to their reliability and ethical business practices.

“Customers trust women more because we follow the rules and don’t take shortcuts. That’s why we need more women—not just in support roles, but in leadership positions,” she added.

Hajia Bola called for greater advocacy, mentorship, and awareness initiatives to inspire more young women to pursue careers in freight forwarding. She insisted that the industry must actively work to eliminate existing gender biases to pave the way for the next generation of female leaders.

“The freight forwarding sector should no longer be viewed as a male dominated space. If Nigeria is serious about fully  utilizing its blue economy,  women must be included in the equation, she concluded .