Nigeria Reclaims Global Maritime Influence with Election into IMO Council After 14 Years
Kathy Kyari
Nigeria has secured a major diplomatic victory with its election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, marking the country’s return to the global maritime decision-making table after a 14-year absence.
The election, held on Friday, 28 November 2025 during the IMO General Assembly in London, is widely seen as a strong international endorsement of Nigeria’s maritime reforms, security advancements and renewed engagement with global partners.
Leading the country’s campaign, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, described the win as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to the Minister, the outcome crowns over a year of sustained diplomacy, strategic lobbying and high-level engagements across continents.
“This victory is not just for Nigeria; it is a vote of confidence in our maritime reforms, our security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, and the bold vision of His Excellency President Tinubu to unlock the full potential of the blue economy,” he said.
Dr Oyetola noted that the election dramatically boosts Nigeria’s global maritime profile.
“Our return to the IMO Council after fourteen years signals that Nigeria is back — stronger, more strategic and more determined to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of global shipping, maritime safety and sustainable ocean governance,” he stated. “We worked tirelessly, travelling across continents, building bridges and reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to take up this responsibility.”
He expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for the full backing that powered the campaign.
“Mr President gave us every encouragement, every backing and every resource we needed to prosecute this campaign. His leadership opened doors and inspired immense goodwill from across the world,” he said.
The Minister also extended gratitude to the international maritime community, saying the results reflected broad trust in the reforms championed by the Tinubu administration.
“The world has stood with us, and we do not take this for granted. Nigeria will serve with integrity, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility,” he pledged.
He further praised the Technical Committee of Experts chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, for their strategic planning and coordination throughout the campaign.
By securing a seat in Category C, Nigeria joins 19 other countries recognised for their special interests in maritime transport and navigation, with representation balanced across global regions. The category includes nations such as Singapore, South Africa, Morocco, Malaysia, Egypt, Malta, Mexico, Chile, Finland and Qatar.
Nigeria’s return to the Council is expected to strengthen international partnerships, expand access to technical support, boost investor confidence and reinforce the country’s leadership role in the Gulf of Guinea.
“We have earned the world’s confidence. Now we must deepen our reforms, strengthen our institutions and ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a leading maritime nation,” Dr Oyetola said.
0 Comments