Nigeria’s bid for a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C has gained fresh momentum with a high-level diplomatic reception hosted in New York.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, addressed Permanent Representatives of African nations to the United Nations at Nigeria House, continuing the campaign that was formally launched in London on 18 June at the IMO Headquarters.
The event is part of a sustained engagement strategy ahead of the IMO Council elections later this year.
Delivering a message on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Oyetola said Nigeria’s aspiration to return to the IMO Council is not merely a quest for representation but a commitment to deeper international cooperation in advancing safe, secure, and sustainable shipping.
Highlighting Nigeria’s maritime assets, including its 853km coastline, 10,000km of inland waterways, and strategic location on the Gulf of Guinea, the minister underscored Nigeria’s role as a linchpin of regional and global trade. He also cited Nigeria’s success in enhancing maritime security through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA) Deep Blue Project, which has led to three consecutive years of zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters.
“In recent years, we have transformed our maritime security architecture. Through the Deep Blue Project, we have built a multi-layered system coordinating air, land, and sea assets, resulting in the sharpest decline in piracy across the Gulf of Guinea. This has restored confidence among international shipping stakeholders and reaffirmed Nigeria’s leadership in maritime safety,” Oyetola said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s candidacy is backed by significant reforms, including the ratification and domestication of key IMO conventions, new commitments on emissions reduction, biofouling control, and maritime labour rights, as well as efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“Nigeria has already signed the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) and commenced its ratification process. We have also championed regional initiatives, including the validation of a roadmap for designating a High Seas Marine Protected Area in the Canary-Guinea Convergence Zone,” he added.
Oyetola emphasized that Nigeria’s campaign is built on reciprocity and solidarity, with a focus on supporting other developing countries, Small Island Developing States, and Least Developed Countries through technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.
“With a population of over 240 million, most of them under 19, Nigeria represents the future of the maritime sector. We are investing heavily in maritime education, training, and gender inclusivity, creating opportunities for women in shipping and port operations,” he noted.
He concluded by urging African envoys to support Nigeria’s candidacy, describing a vote for Nigeria as “a vote for responsible leadership, greener shipping, and inclusive progress in global maritime governance.”
