Nigeria, once again, started a high-profile campaign for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council seat in Category C of the 2026–2027 biennium – a quest that had eluded it despite huge sums spent in previous election campaigns. The campaign was flagged-off by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola on Wednesday, June 18th 2025, at the Delegates’ Lounge of the IMO Headquarters in London on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110).
The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, as well as Permanent Representatives, Alternate Permanent Representatives, diplomats, and maritime delegates from other IMO Member States.
In a speech at the occasion, Oyetola said that “Today, we formally declare Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium. As a responsible maritime nation strategically located on the Gulf of Guinea – one of the most commercially significant and security-sensitive shipping routes in the world – Nigeria remains resolute in supporting the IMO’s mandate to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping.”
To support his campaign, Oyetola touted Nigeria’s Deep Blue security project being run by NIMASA, progress in maritime reforms, ratification and domesticated of numerous IMO instruments and adoption of additional conventions on greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and maritime labour protection, commitment to environmental protection and seafarers’ welfare, as well as its large population of over 240 million, 60% of whom are under the age of 19, to conclude that Nigeria is a regional maritime leader worth electing.
According to him, “We are investing in maritime education and capacity development, with the potential to contribute over two million skilled seafarers to the global labour pool in the coming decade.”