L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola; Secretary-General, International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr. Arsenio Dominguez; Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE), Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola; Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Mercy Haruna-Adeoye and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, at the official flag off of Nigeria's campaign for election to Category C of IMO Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, at the IMO Headquarters, London, United Kingdom….recently.

Nigeria has formally flagged off her campaign for election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium.

The flag off took place at IMO Headquarters, London, United Kingdom on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) meeting which took place recently.

The high-profile campaign flag-off was led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola and the acting High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Mercy Haruna-Adeoye.

Oyetola in his keynote address at the occasion extended warm regards from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and emphasised Nigeria’s unwavering dedication to the IMO’s mandate.

His words: “Today, we formally declare Nigeria’s candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium, As a responsible maritime nation strategically located on the Gulf of Guinea — one of the most commercially significant and security-sensitive shipping routes in the world — Nigeria remains resolute in supporting the IMO’s mandate to promote safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping.”

He spotlighted Nigeria’s acclaimed deep blue project as a model of maritime security innovation. co-ordinated by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the multi-layered initiative integrates air, land, and sea assets to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain.

He noted that the implementation of the deep blue project has resulted in zero piracy incidents in Nigeria’s territorial waters over the past three years, a milestone that has drawn global commendation, including from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

Continuing, Oyetola said: “We are investing in maritime education and capacity development, with the potential to contribute over two million skilled seafarers to the global labour pool in the coming decade. A vote for Nigeria is a vote for representation, collaboration, and balanced decision-making in global maritime governance. We stand ready to work with all member states to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.”

Also speaking, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola reaffirmed Nigeria’s enduring role in the international maritime community.

According to him, Nigeria is proud to be a committed and reliable global partner in advancing maritime security, promoting environmental responsibility, and ensuring fair and equitable participation in the governance of international shipping.

Not a few persons attended the event. These include the Secretary General of IMO, Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, as well as Permanent Representatives, Alternate Permanent Representatives, diplomats, and maritime delegates from over 170 IMO member states.

IMO member states which are no fewer than 176 are expected to vote at the elections scheduled for November 2025.

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