Nigeria Deepens Interest in IMO Council Membership

Nigeria on Wednesday deepened her interest in aspiring to be elected into the Council of the International Maritime Organisation with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola inaugurating an interministerial committee to push through the agenda.

The Minister called for comprehensive action as he inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to drive and promote the campaign at the Boardroom of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) in Abuja.  Oyetola said the campaign must be all-inclusive, taking into consideration diplomatic and operational strategies in soliciting votes to yield good dividends.

He explained that having lost out three times between 2011 and 2019 after its successful stints in 1975, 2001, and 2005, Nigeria is due to return to the Council to cement its relevance as a strategic Maritime domain and a strong voice in West Africa.

He listed the benefits of Nigeria’s Council membership to include “technical assistance, manpower, and institutional development, as well as political influence in the maritime sector of the global economy.”

The inter-ministerial committee for Nigeria’s election to the IMO Executive Council at the 34^th Regular Session in 2025 comprises high-level officials led by the Permanent Secretary of the FMMBE, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola. The committee is tasked with identifying activities and actions that will promote Nigeria’s standing in the IMO community by articulating and showcasing the country’s maritime achievements.

Members of the committee include the Director of Maritime Security and Safety from the FMMBE and the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who will serve as alternate chairpersons.

Other members are the Directors of Legal Services and Maritime Services from the FMMBE, the Director of the International Organisations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, and the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.

Others include the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu (stakeholder); the representative of the Office of the Honourable Minister of the FMMBE, Dr. Charles Akinola; and the Assistant Director, of Maritime Pollution Control at the FMMBE, Mr. Paschal Ogah, who will serve as Secretary to the Committee.

Also, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has officially presented the six IMO instruments assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, GCFR, to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

He appreciated the Minister for facilitating the signing of the IMO Conventions, noting that, ‘these six conventions have been pending within the Ministry and government for the last 6 to 8 years. With the efforts of the Honourable Minister, they have now been assented to by Mr. President and will be delivered and displayed with the IMO.’