President Bola Tinubu has celebrated Nigeria’s election into the Council of the International Maritime Organisation for the 2026 to 2027 term, describing it as “a strong affirmation of the country’s growing maritime influence and its constructive role in global shipping governance.”
Nigeria reclaimed its seat in Category C of the IMO Council during the organisation’s General Assembly in London on Friday, November 28, bringing the country back into the fold of global maritime decision makers after being away for 14 years.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said the outcome “reflects the international community’s confidence in the nation’s commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, and rules-based maritime operations.”
Tinubu praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, along with staff of the ministry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, and Nigeria’s diplomatic corps for what he called their dedication, strategic engagement, and professionalism throughout the election process.
Speaking on the importance of Nigeria’s return to the Council, the President said, “The new IMO Council mandate aligns with my administration’s drive to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy, expand maritime infrastructure, strengthen anti-piracy initiatives, and improve the nation’s standing as a regional shipping hub.”
He assured the global maritime community that Nigeria is ready to contribute meaningfully to collective priorities, pledging support for “safer seas, cleaner oceans, more efficient maritime transport systems, and to champion cooperation, innovation, and fairness in global maritime regulation.”
Tinubu also expressed gratitude to member states for backing Nigeria, promising that “Nigeria will justify the trust reposed in it through sustained leadership and active contribution to the advancement of international maritime objectives.”
With this development, Nigeria now joins 19 other countries in Category C, which is reserved for states with special interests in maritime transport and navigation. The victory reinforces the country’s growing profile as an emerging naval and shipping hub on the African continent.
The renewed presence on the IMO Council is expected to bolster Nigeria’s role in maritime governance, strengthen global partnerships, enhance investor confidence, and accelerate the growth of the blue economy.
Reacting to the win, Oyetola described it as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” noting that the country’s success followed more than a year of sustained diplomatic outreach.
“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,” Oyetola said.
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