Nigeria has officially launched its campaign for re-election into the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium, in a strategic diplomatic event led by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, at the IMO Headquarters in London.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Delegates’ Lounge of the IMO, was attended by the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, alongside over 120 Permanent Representatives, maritime diplomats, and delegates from IMO Member States across the globe.
Declaring Nigeria’s formal candidacy, Minister Oyetola described the country as a committed maritime nation located on one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors — the Gulf of Guinea — and emphasized its readiness to contribute to balanced global maritime governance.
“A vote for Nigeria is a vote for representation, collaboration, and balanced decision-making in global maritime governance,” Oyetola said in his keynote address. “We are ready to work with all Member States to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.”
He also conveyed goodwill from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and reiterated Nigeria’s support for the IMO’s mission of safe, secure, environmentally sound, and sustainable shipping.
The Minister highlighted the success of Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project, coordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), as a model for maritime security in the region. According to him, the initiative — integrating air, land, and sea surveillance assets — has helped reduce piracy to zero incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters over the past three years, a milestone recognized by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
Beyond maritime security, Oyetola also spotlighted Nigeria’s regulatory reforms, including the ratification and domestication of several IMO conventions, as well as ongoing efforts to adopt instruments on greenhouse gas reduction, biofouling control, and seafarers’ welfare.
The Minister positioned Nigeria as a future-ready maritime partner, citing the nation’s youthful population — over 60% under the age of 19 — and its ongoing investments in maritime education and capacity development.
“We have the potential to contribute over two million skilled seafarers to the global labour pool in the next decade,” he noted.
On gender inclusion, Oyetola stated that Nigeria is committed to empowering women in maritime, supporting female participation in seafaring, port operations, and leadership roles.
Also speaking at the event, NIMASA Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as a reliable partner in the global maritime community.
“Nigeria is proud to be a committed and reliable global partner in advancing maritime security, promoting environmental responsibility, and ensuring fair and equitable participation in shipping governance,” Mobereola said.
He assured that Nigeria, if re-elected, would champion a transformative maritime agenda that addresses the needs of developing countries, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The event served as a strong diplomatic push for Nigeria’s campaign, demonstrating its commitment to shaping a future-oriented, inclusive maritime governance framework on the international stage.