Nigeria has intensified its campaign for a seat in Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, with a renewed push at the Global Maritime and Aviation Symposium held in Singapore over the weekend.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, was represented at the event by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to modernize its maritime infrastructure and leverage the country’s strategic location to boost trade, job creation, and economic development.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s bid for the IMO seat aligns with its vision to play a more active role in shaping global maritime policies. “Securing a Category C seat at the IMO Council will enhance Nigeria’s influence in the global maritime space and reinforce our leadership position along the West African coast,” Oyetola stated.
The symposium spotlighted economic growth through maritime and aviation, with Nigeria showcasing investment opportunities in both sectors. Highlighting the country’s untapped maritime potential, Oyebamiji described Nigeria’s inland and coastal waterways as a “goldmine” for job creation and sustainable development.
He added that Nigeria’s vast blue economy has been carefully positioned as a magnet for foreign investment, stressing that the country’s geographic advantage places it at the center of trade and logistics in West Africa.
“Our Marine and Blue Economy is designed to drive visibility and competitiveness,” he said. “Having a voice at the IMO will amplify our role in regional trade facilitation and global maritime discourse.”
Also present at the Singapore forum was Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, who outlined various investment opportunities in the aviation sector and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing aviation infrastructure and services.
Nigeria’s active participation at the symposium forms part of its broader international engagement strategy as the nation seeks election into the IMO Council later this year.
