Despite misgivings in certain circles that this might just be another wild goose chase, the Federal Government seems to have deployed its full diplomatic and maritime arsenal to grab an illusive Category “C” seat at the International Maritime Organization, IMO.
The elections are billed to hold in November this year. This time around, the campaign has a full presidential endorsement as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that failure would not be an option.
“This administration is committed to a full, comprehensive diversification of the economy, and the Marine and Blue Economy sector has a crucial role in the realisation of this dream”, he was quoted to have told Adegboyega Oyetola, who oversees the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.
Nigeria has made no fewer than nine unsuccessful attempts to take a seat as a Category “C” member of the International Maritime Organization.
The last time Nigeria won a seat at the council was in 2009.
Oyetola, who in 2023 pulled Nigeria out of the biennial election, declared Nigeria’s intention to take part at the election during the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event held in Barcelona, Spain in October last year.
According to him, Nigeria has put in place the basic needs to develop the nation’s maritime industry in line with global best practices.
The minister gave reasons the global maritime community should elect Nigeria into the elusive seat in the IMO.
“Our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping.
“There have been no incidents of piracy in the last three years, as confirmed by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). By deploying resources to provide maritime security assets, Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Nigeria remains a valuable source of manpower for the industry. I, therefore, urge our partners to explore this potential and assist where possible in the best interest of all. Our Maritime Academy has adequate resources and facilities to support this development.
“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership in the Council”, Oyetola had said in Spain.
On his part, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, pledged that no stone will be left unturned to ensure success in Nigeria’s quest for IMO Category “C” membership at the next elections.
“We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.
”We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others.
”While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO,” Mobereola declared.
The Assembly, at its thirty-fourth session in November , 2025 will elect 40 members of the Council for the 2026- 2027 session as provided for in Articles 16 and 17 of the IMO Convention.
The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the organization.
The Council is made up of 40 member states, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms.
Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.
The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization elected the following states to be members of the Council for the current 2024-2025 biennium:
Category (a): 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
These include: China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Category (b): 10 states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. These include: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Category (c): 20 states not elected under (a) or (b) above, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.
These include: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.
And to ensure that it didn’t take anything for granted this time around, Mr Oyetola drew up a 10-point agenda which it had followed up religiously as follows:
(i)Formal Declaration of Intent by the Hon. Minister Marine and Blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, which took place in Spain in September last year.
(ii) High-Level Political Support from Presidency, Honourable Ministers of Marine and Blue Economy and Foreign Affairs. At every diplomatic event, President Bola Tinubu is expected to declare Nigeria’s intention to contest for the IMO Council “ C”.
(iii) A National Inter-Ministerial IMO Council Campaign committee has also been activated. This underscores the importance Mr President accords the campaign.
(iv) A Comprehensive Campaign Strategy has also been developed to make sure nothing is taken for granted.
(v) Nigeria has reinforced its presence in IMO committees and sub-committee meetings.
(vi)Need for targeted bilateral engagements such as the one between the French Ambassador to Nigeria and a recent visit of the Tanzania Maritime Administration to NIMASA.
[vii)Increased regional consensus building within Africa.
(viii)Need for Nigeria to increase strategic visibility at IMO.
(ix)Engagements with international shipping companies.
(x) Engagements with domestic shipping industry stakeholders. It is expected that, all things being equal, Nigeria may pass the litmus test and take a seat at the Category “C” of the IMO Council.