Business and Economy
After 14 Years Away, Oyetola Leads Nigeria Back Into IMO Council
Nigeria has reclaimed its place on the global maritime stage following its election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, marking its first return in 14 years.
This development was announced on Friday in a statement by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr.
According to the statement, Nigeria secured the seat during the IMO General Assembly held in London on Friday, 28th November 2025, restoring the nation’s position among leading maritime countries after more than a decade of absence.
The statement explained that with this election, Nigeria joins 19 other member states in Category C — a group comprising countries with special interests in maritime transport and navigation, selected to ensure balanced geographical representation on the IMO Council.
It further listed the elected Category C countries as: Bahamas, Belgium, Cyprus, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
For Category B, which covers nations with the largest stakes in international seaborne trade, the elected countries are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Category A, made up of the world’s major providers of international shipping services, includes China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The statement added that Nigeria’s return to the Council is poised to deliver significant gains to the maritime and blue economy sectors, strengthening international partnerships, unlocking greater technical assistance, boosting investor confidence and reinforcing Nigeria’s strategic leadership in the Gulf of Guinea.
Speaking shortly after the announcement, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who led Nigeria’s campaign, said the victory was the culmination of more than a year of diplomatic engagements, strategic advocacy and sustained outreach across various countries and maritime blocs.
He described Nigeria’s election as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to him, “This victory is not just for Nigeria; it is a vote of confidence in our maritime reforms, our security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, and the bold vision of His Excellency President Tinubu to unlock the full potential of the blue economy.
“Our return to the IMO Council after fourteen years signals that Nigeria is back — stronger, more strategic and more determined to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of global shipping, maritime safety and sustainable ocean governance. We worked tirelessly, travelling across continents, building bridges and reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to take up this responsibility.”
Oyetola expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the unwavering support that made the campaign successful despite the intense competition for Council seats.
He added, “Mr President gave us every encouragement, every backing and every resource we needed to prosecute this campaign. His leadership opened doors and inspired immense goodwill from across the world.”
He also appreciated the international maritime community for trusting Nigeria, noting that the outcome reflects widespread confidence in the reforms underway within the Tinubu administration.
“The world has stood with us, and we do not take this for granted. Nigeria will serve with integrity, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility,” he said.
The minister further commended the Technical Committee of Experts chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, acknowledging their coordinated strategy, meticulous planning and unwavering dedication.
He concluded by reiterating, “We have earned the world’s confidence. Now we must deepen our reforms, strengthen our institutions and ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a leading maritime nation.”