Nigeria returns to International Maritime Council after 14 years

Nigeria has won a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026 term to break a 14-year drought.

On Friday in London, the country was elected into Category C of the IMO Council, joining 19 other nations including South Africa and Singapore with “special interests in maritime transport or navigation,” and selected “to ensure representation of all major geographic areas of the world,” according to the IMO website.

Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of marine and blue economy, who led Nigeria’s campaign in the last twelve months called the election a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s maritime reforms and security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.

“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,” he told the IMO General assembly.

Nigeria has been involved with the IMO Council since the 1970s, with a history of both holding and losing a seat. It has had successful stints in the IMO Council in 1975, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2009.

But since losing its seat in the 2011 election by a single vote, Nigeria has engaged in a continuous push to regain a position on the Council, participating in subsequent elections in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021, all of which were unsuccessful.

The ministry says Nigeria’s return is expected to help the country’s marine and blue economy and strengthen international partnerships, improve access to technical support, boost investor confidence and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in the Gulf of Guinea.

“We must deepen our reforms, strengthen our institutions and ensure that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a leading maritime nation,” the minister said,

Bethel Olujobi reports on trade and maritime business for BusinessDay with prior experience reporting on migration, labour, and tech. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, and is certified by the FT, Reuters and Google. Drawing from his experience working with other respected news providers, he presents a nuanced and informed perspective on the complexities of critical matters. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria and occasionally commutes to Abuja.

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