Nigeria on Friday regained its seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council following a decisive victory in the Category C election for the 2026–2027 biennium. The vote, held during the IMO General Assembly in London on November 28, marked Nigeria’s first return to the Council in 14 years, restoring the country’s position among nations shaping global maritime policies.
The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, led Nigeria’s delegation and campaign, which involved more than a year of strategic diplomatic engagements across continents. Speaking shortly after the announcement of results, the Minister described the election as a significant affirmation of international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime reforms and security efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Oyetola said the outcome reflected global acknowledgement of the progress recorded in Nigeria, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea where the country has led collaborative efforts to enhance maritime safety. He added that the election was an endorsement of President Tinubu’s vision for developing the marine and blue economy sector as a major contributor to national growth.
The Minister said Nigeria worked methodically to secure the win, holding repeated consultations with countries and maritime blocs while demonstrating the country’s renewed commitment to global maritime governance. He noted that the return to the Council signals Nigeria’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to conversations on shipping regulations, ocean governance and maritime sustainability.
Oyetola expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as “total support” throughout the campaign, stating that the President provided the backing needed to compete effectively in a highly contested election cycle. He also acknowledged the role of the Technical Committee of Experts chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, noting that the team coordinated the process that delivered the victory.
With the election, Nigeria joins 19 other nations in Category C of the IMO Council. The countries elected into this category include Bahamas, Belgium, Cyprus, Chile, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa. Category C seats are reserved for countries with special interests in maritime transport and navigation, and are allocated to ensure geographical balance in the Council.
Countries elected into Category B, which comprises nations with the largest interests in international seaborne trade, include Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Category A, representing the world’s biggest providers of shipping services, saw the election of China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council is expected to strengthen the country’s maritime posture, open avenues for technical support, enhance investor confidence and reinforce its leadership role within the Gulf of Guinea. The election also brings renewed expectations for accelerated reforms within the nation’s maritime institutions as Nigeria prepares to play a more visible role on the global maritime stage.
Oyetola said the country must now consolidate the confidence earned by the victory. He noted that the opportunity places a responsibility on Nigeria to deepen reforms and strengthen institutions to ensure the country fully maximizes the benefits of its restored position in the Council.
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to serve with integrity and commitment, adding that the government remains focused on unlocking the full potential of the blue economy for national development.
