Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (right) and the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez (left), during the launch of Nigeria’s campaign for election to Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, at the IMO Headquarters in London, on Wednesday.
Nigeria in a major diplomatic move on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110), has officially flagged off its campaign for election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium.
The press statement signed by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser, Media and Communications, to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has revealed.
Akinola said the high-profile campaign flag-off, led by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, took place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Delegates’ Lounge of the IMO Headquarters in London.
The event, according to him, drew a distinguished audience, including the Secretary-General of the IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, as well as Permanent Representatives, Alternate Permanent Representatives, diplomats, and maritime delegates from over 120 IMO Member States.
“It served as a platform for Nigeria to underscore its strategic maritime relevance and renew its commitment to global shipping governance,” Akinola added.
L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Mercy Haruna-Adeoye and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, during the launch of Nigeria’s campaign for election to Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, at the IMO Headquarters in London, on Wednesday.
In his keynote address, Minister Oyetola extended warm regards from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He emphasised Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to the IMO’s mandate.
“Today, we formally declare Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium,” he announced. “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.”
L-R: Ecuadorian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), H.E. Ecuadorian Gabriel Villafuerte; Ecuadorian Alternate Permanent Representative to IMO, Ms. Luisa Burgess; Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, during the launch of Nigeria’s campaign for election to Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, at the IMO Headquarters in London, on Wednesday.
Oyetola spotlighted Nigeria’s acclaimed Deep Blue Project as a model of maritime security innovation. Coordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the multi-layered initiative integrates air, land, and sea assets to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain. The implementation of the Deep Blue Project, Minister Oyetola noted, has resulted in zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters over the past three years, a milestone that has drawn global commendation, including from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).
In addition to security achievements, the Minister outlined Nigeria’s progress on maritime reforms. He revealed that Nigeria has ratified and domesticated numerous IMO instruments and is currently in the process of adopting additional conventions on greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and maritime labour protections — reinforcing its commitment to both environmental protection and the welfare of seafarers.
Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic advantage and human capital potential, Oyetola noted that with a population exceeding 240 million — 60% of whom are under the age of 19 — Nigeria is not only a regional maritime leader, but a future-ready partner.
“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,” he said.
Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON (right) and Poland’s Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Ms. Malgorzata Buszyńska, during the launch of Nigeria’s campaign for election to Category C of the IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, at the IMO Headquarters in London, on Wednesday.
He further stated that gender equity remains a priority for Nigeria: “We are also making deliberate efforts to empower women in maritime, supporting initiatives that encourage female seafarers, port professionals, and maritime leaders, because progress in partnership must be inclusive.”
He said Nigeria’s record of constructive engagement within the IMO speaks for itself as the country continues to offer technical support and share best practices with fellow developing countries, particularly within Africa, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
“A vote for Nigeria is a vote for representation, collaboration, and balanced decision-making in global maritime governance,” he stated. “We stand ready to work with all Member States to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed Nigeria’s enduring role in the international maritime community.
“Nigeria is proud to be a committed and reliable global partner in advancing maritime security, promoting environmental responsibility, and ensuring fair and equitable participation in the governance of international shipping,” he said.
He added that if elected to the IMO Council, Nigeria will lead, partner, and deliver on a transformative maritime agenda that benefits the entire global community.
