Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry have commended Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.
In a chat with The PUNCH over the weekend, the stakeholders described the victory as a testament to President Bola Tinubu’s avowed commitment to redefine the nation’s economy and take Nigeria to greater heights.
Earlier, The PUNCH reported that Nigeria secured a landmark diplomatic victory on Friday, marking the country’s return to the global maritime decision-making table after a 14-year break.
The election, conducted during the IMO General Assembly in London, is regarded as a significant boost to Nigeria’s standing within the international maritime community, with the country reclaiming a strategic seat last held in 2011.
Saturday PUNCH reports that the IMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating international shipping, with a focus on safety, security, and the prevention of marine pollution.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, while announcing the victory, said it marks Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Council after a 14-year absence, restoring the nation to global reckoning among the comity of maritime nations.
Oyetola, in a Friday statement by his Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, said the victory crowns over twelve months of intensive diplomatic shuttles, targeted engagements, and sustained advocacy across various countries and maritime blocs.
Oyetola described Nigeria’s election as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Tinubu.”
“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,” Oyetola said.
The Minister reiterated that the election represents a major boost to Nigeria’s profile in global maritime governance.
Reacting to the feat, the Nigerian Ports Authority, in a post through its official Instagram account over the weekend, said the achievement was a testament to the visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to global best practices, and the tireless efforts of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola, and the dedicated heads of agencies under the ministry.
“Joining the IMO Council in Category C places Nigeria among the world’s leading maritime nations, amplifying our voice in shaping global maritime policies, safety standards, security, and environmental sustainability. It is a well-deserved recognition of Nigeria’s strategic importance as the maritime hub of West and Central Africa and the giant strides made in port efficiency, trade facilitation, and blue economy development,” the post read in part.
Also speaking, the immediate past Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, congratulated President Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Oyetola, over the country’s IMO election victory.
In a statement over the weekend, Oyebamiji attributed the victory to the manifestation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration and Oyetola’s inimitable administrative sagacity, competence, capability, and transformative leadership demonstrated since his appointment.
Oyebamiji, who is a frontline aspirant in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State under the All Progressives Congress, extolled President Tinubu’s socioeconomic reforms across sectors as espoused in the renewed hope agenda, which he said has been the catalyst for the astronomical progress made by the current administration.
He acknowledged the monumental achievements recorded under Oyetola’s leadership in the maritime sector, saying, “The victory further validated his uncommon patriotism, commitment, and dedication to national integration, growth, and development.”
“This hard-won victory is a testament to President Tinubu’s avowed commitment to redefine the nation’s economy and take Nigeria to greater heights. It is also a testimony to the relentless efforts of the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy towards uplifting the maritime sector for global competition and reckoning,” he said.
According to him, the return of Nigeria to the global community of maritime nations is a signal that Nigeria is in safe hands.
He reiterated that the development is a welcome and great advancement in the history of Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“With this, my boss, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Oyetola, has further proved his worth, administrative acumen, and astuteness in taking the ministry to enviable heights,” Oyebamiji added.
The National President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners, Captain Tajudeen Alao, while congratulating Nigeria, stated that the country will now have a say in maritime decision-making.
“Congratulations to Nigeria; with this, it means that Nigeria now has a say in decision-making in the international maritime space. It means we will be part of certain decisions in the sector, with special interest in marine transportation and safety,” Alao said.
Also speaking, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Temisan Omatseye, said, “I congratulate Nigeria for the victory.”
When queried about his expectations from Nigeria after winning the IMO Category C seat, Omatseye said, “I don’t really know what they campaigned on, so I can’t really say much about that.”
With this election, Nigeria joins 19 other nations in Category C, countries recognised for their special interests in maritime transport and navigation, selected to ensure balanced geographical representation within the IMO Council.
The elected states in Category C are the Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and South Africa.
Countries elected into Category B, representing nations with the largest interests in international seaborne trade, are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.
Category A, comprising the world’s leading providers of international shipping services, saw the election of China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Nigeria’s return to the Council is expected to bring significant benefits to the country’s maritime and blue economy sectors, strengthening international partnerships, enhancing access to technical support, boosting investor confidence, and reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership role in the Gulf of Guinea.
