Nigeria has intensified its campaign to reclaim a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C, as the country battles 25 other nations for one of the 20 available slots in the coming 2026–2027 biennium elections.
The IMO Category ‘C’ election, which represents countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation, will hold later this year in London, with nations including Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Türkiye among those vying for a place alongside Nigeria.
Nigeria’s renewed campaign has gathered momentum following the recent visit of the IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, to the country — a visit that maritime industry stakeholders have described as part of the nation’s broader diplomatic efforts to secure international support for its re-election bid.
Following the visit, the IMO Secretary-General commended Nigeria’s maritime administration for its visible reforms and commitment to the implementation of global maritime standards. In a letter dated October 9, 2025, and addressed to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Mr. Dominguez lauded the impact of the Deep Blue Project in reducing piracy within Nigeria’s territorial waters and the wider Gulf of Guinea.
“I was particularly pleased to see first-hand the important work being undertaken by NIMASA to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime administration and to advance the effective implementation of IMO instruments,” the IMO Secretary-General stated.
He further added that, “Your Agency’s efforts to enhance maritime safety, security, and environmental protection clearly demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to upholding international standards and supporting the objectives of the International Maritime Organization. The Deep Blue Project continues to stand out as a major achievement, significantly improving maritime domain awareness and contributing to a safer and more secure Gulf of Guinea. I encourage NIMASA to maintain its focus on the long-term sustainability of the project so it may serve as a model for broader regional security frameworks.”
Mr. Dominguez also commended NIMASA’s leadership for Nigeria’s active participation in IMO’s technical cooperation and capacity-building programmes, noting the agency’s engagement in key initiatives related to decarbonization, digitalization, and seafarer training.
The commendation from the IMO boss has been viewed by many as a boost to Nigeria’s campaign, as the country seeks to re-establish itself as a key maritime nation in Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
However, not everyone is convinced that the praises translate to victory in the Council election. A maritime expert, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the election, faulted the optimism surrounding the IMO Secretary-General’s commendation, arguing that it may have more diplomatic undertones than technical validation.
“Let us stop taking ‘opium’ that falsely calms our nerves. Go and do the right thing,” he said. “Does the IMO Secretary-General know that our certificates are not recognised internationally? He is just playing politics by my standards. If you doubt me, do a fact check by starting with Australia and see if Nigeria makes the list.”
He noted that while Nigeria has made progress in maritime security, the country still faces critical challenges in seafarer certification, ship registration, and full implementation of IMO conventions.
“Until we address the fundamental issues in our maritime education, certification and compliance systems, we may keep lobbying for seats without the technical strength to back it up,” he added.
Nigeria’s renewed push for the Category ‘C’ seat is being coordinated by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with NIMASA and the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The campaign highlights Nigeria’s role in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, its expanding blue economy initiatives, and its participation in global maritime sustainability efforts.
Observers say that beyond diplomacy, Nigeria’s ability to win the seat will depend on how convincingly it demonstrates its compliance with IMO regulations and its contributions to global maritime safety and environmental protection.
