39
By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria stepped up its diplomatic push on Thursday as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, made a appeal for the country’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
Speaking at a high-level lunch reception held at the IMO headquarters in London, he urged member states to back Nigeria ahead of the vote scheduled for Friday, 28 November 2025.
With representatives from more than 150 countries in the room, Oyetola told ambassadors, Alternate Permanent Representatives and maritime policymakers that Nigeria was approaching the election not as a passive contender but as a nation whose contributions to global shipping are already evident.
In a statement on Friday He said the country’s record in maritime security, environmental responsibility and blue-economy reforms should give members confidence in supporting its bid.
He pointed to the transformation of the Gulf of Guinea, from what was once a high-risk zone into a corridor now enjoying unusual stability, as proof of Nigeria’s commitment.
Oyetola noted that the country has recorded zero piracy incidents in its waters for four years, drawing on International Maritime Bureau data.
He credited this milestone to strengthened regional cooperation and the Deep Blue Project, saying these efforts have helped protect seafarers, insurers and investors by reducing maritime crime.
The minister also assured delegates that Nigeria’s priorities remain aligned with the IMO’s long-term goals. Through ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, he said the country is improving port efficiency, expanding sustainable ocean-based industries, and safeguarding its marine environment.
He added that Nigeria’s push for a Council seat is driven by a desire to deepen partnerships, not to pursue prestige.
Inviting countries to lend Nigeria their “trust, friendship, and votes,” Oyetola said the nation stands ready to contribute to the Council’s work on safety, security, environmental stewardship and maritime development.
He stressed that Nigeria is committed to a future in which all coastal and seafaring nations benefit from secure waters and open trade routes.
He also used the moment to express solidarity with countries recently hit by hurricanes and other natural disasters in the Caribbean and the Philippines. Extending heartfelt sympathy, he reminded delegates that global maritime cooperation must be rooted in compassion, especially in times of national hardship.
The Minister thanked the delegates, the IMO Secretariat, regional organisations and industry stakeholders for sustained dialogue and collaboration. Their turnout, he said, underscored the collective purpose that defines the IMO. “The seas unite us far more than they divide us,” he added.