In a strategic push to boost Nigeria’s influence in global maritime governance, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has launched an aggressive diplomatic campaign to secure Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The campaign, formally flagged off at the IMO Headquarters in London on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, has since seen the Minister engage in a flurry of bilateral meetings with representatives from key maritime nations in what has been described as a “door-to-door diplomacy” initiative.
Oyetola, who is attending the ongoing 134th Session of the IMO Council in London, emphasized that Nigeria’s campaign is not just about seeking a seat but about offering strong partnership, credible leadership, and sustained commitment to global maritime development.
He highlighted Nigeria’s strides in maritime security, particularly the sustained eradication of piracy within the country’s territorial waters and the broader Gulf of Guinea. For three consecutive years, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents, credited to the deployment of the Deep Blue security architecture and enhanced regional collaborations.
The Minister’s diplomatic outreach has so far included engagements with countries such as Greece, Spain, Oman, Bangladesh, Namibia, Mexico, and Italy, among others. He also delivered goodwill messages from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing Nigeria’s united front and strategic intent.
Nigeria’s campaign is further anchored on its willingness to expand bilateral maritime relations and attract investments in areas such as shipbuilding and repair, port modernization, green shipping corridors, and intra-African maritime trade.
Oyetola reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to global maritime discourse and policymaking. He noted that the country’s campaign aligns with the IMO’s principles of safety, security, and environmental sustainability, promising that Nigeria’s inclusion would amplify Africa’s voice in shaping the future of international shipping.
The current diplomatic effort builds on earlier momentum gained during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, where Oyetola had held talks with leaders of various island nations to solicit their backing for Nigeria’s IMO bid.
Category C of the IMO Council comprises nations with special interests in maritime transport and aims to ensure equitable geographic representation in maritime affairs. Securing a seat would mark a significant step in Nigeria’s maritime ambitions and its desire to lead from within the international maritime community.
Oyetola affirmed that a vote for Nigeria is a vote for a more inclusive, cooperative, and resilient global maritime future.