The Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Engineer Sarat Braimah, has been honoured with the Nelson Mandela Pan-African Leadership Award in recognition of her commitment to national service and youth-focused leadership.
The award was presented in Lagos by the Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI), an Accra, Ghana-based organisation dedicated to mentoring and promoting young African leaders. The delegation was led by its President, Ambassador Dominic Mensah, who described Braimah as a shining example of transformational leadership in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
According to Mensah, the Nigerian chapter of SAYDI nominated Braimah following what he termed “remarkable positive transformation” at the NIWA Lagos Area Office since she assumed office.
He cited her emphasis on youth and student empowerment, strong support for the Lagos State Government’s development agenda, zero tolerance for nepotism and favouritism, and her unwavering commitment to teamwork.
Mensah noted that her career trajectory serves as a powerful inspiration, particularly for young Africans — and women — aspiring to build sustainable careers within the maritime industry.
“Our core objective is to identify tomorrow’s leaders today by inspiring and educating young people in Africa to remain on the continent and contribute to its sustainable development,” he said. “We seek achievers like you who have risen through the ranks and can mentor others to stay back and build Africa.”
In addition to the leadership award, Braimah received a certificate of excellence and was automatically inducted into the Pan African Leadership Hall of Fame, described as an “amazon of nation building” on the continent.
Responding, the NIWA Lagos Area Manager expressed gratitude for the honour, stating that although she was previously unfamiliar with the organisation, she fully aligns with its vision of youth empowerment and continental development.
She dedicated the award to her superiors in Abuja and members of her team in Lagos, acknowledging their sacrifices and collective effort in driving operational success. Braimah also urged young Africans to embrace hard work, discipline and selfless service, stressing that Africa’s growth depends on the commitment of its youth.
The recognition adds to growing national and continental attention on leadership within Nigeria’s maritime administration — particularly at a time when inland waterways development is increasingly seen as critical to economic growth and regional integration.
