The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola is making a final push for Nigeria’s quest to be elected into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.
The election is the high point of the global shipping watchdog biennial conference scheduled for this week at the IMO Headquarters, London, United Kingdom.
Not a few has seen Oyetola’s move as a last diplomatic push ahead of the crucial election into Category C of the IMO council which Nigeria has failed to secure in the last three biennial conferences of the United Nations (UN) specialized agency.
Special Adviser to Oyetola, Dr. Bolaji Akinola in a statement said the minister made what he called “a persuasive appeal to delegates” at a well-attended lunch reception on Thursday at the IMO headquarters.
According to the statement which was made available to Maritime Bits, representatives from more than 150 countries attended the event which formed a major pillar of Nigeria’s last outreach efforts before the Council election scheduled for 28 November, 2025.
Addressing ambassadors, Alternate Permanent Representatives and maritime policymakers, Oyetola said Nigeria is not just a contender but as a country whose actions in maritime security, environmental responsibility and blue-economy reforms have directly advanced global seaborne trade.
He stressed that Nigeria’s candidature rests on tangible achievements rather than promises, noting that the country has demonstrated consistent leadership in improving safety across the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).
Oyetola highlighted the transformation of the region from a high-risk zone to a maritime corridor experiencing unprecedented stability just as he reaffirmed that Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents within its waters over the past four years, citing data from the International Maritime Bureau.
According to him, regional co-operation and Nigeria’s deep blue project have played decisive roles in curbing maritime crime, thereby safeguarding international shipping and reinforcing confidence among seafarers, insurers, and investors.
He assured IMO member states that Nigeria’s policies remain firmly aligned with organization long-term priorities.
Through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, he explained, Nigeria is deepening reforms aimed at improving port efficiency, promoting sustainable ocean-based industries, and protecting its marine environment.
He noted that the country’s bid for council membership seeks to strengthen partnerships rather than prestige, emphasising shared responsibility in preserving global maritime order.
Oyetola invited countries to lend Nigeria their “trust, friendship, and votes,” stressing that the nation stands ready to contribute constructively to the council’s work across safety, security, environmental stewardship and maritime development.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to a future where all coastal and seafaring nations, regardless of size, benefit from secure oceans and open trade routes.
While expressing Nigeria’s solidarity with member states recently affected by severe hurricanes and other natural disasters in the Caribbean and the Philippines, he conveyed heartfelt sympathy, reminding delegates that global maritime co-operation must be underpinned by compassion and unity, especially in moments of national grief.
He also thanked the delegates, the IMO Secretariat, regional organisations, and industry stakeholders for their continued dialogue and collaboration, noting that their presence at the reception affirmed the spirit of collective purpose that defines the IMO.
“The seas unite us far more than they divide us,” he said.
The statement added that as Nigeria enters the decisive final phase of its campaign, the country is enjoying broad goodwill among the international maritime community, raising expectations ahead of Friday’s vote.
