Nigeria has reclaimed its place on the global maritime stage with its election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, marking the country’s first return in 14 years.
The development was announced on Friday in a statement by Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. According to him, Nigeria secured the seat during the IMO General Assembly held in London on November 28, 2025 restoring the nation’s visibility and influence within the world’s leading maritime governance body.
With the election, Nigeria joined 19 other nations in Category C, a group reserved for countries with significant interests in maritime transport and navigation, and selected to ensure balanced geographical representation within the IMO Council.
The statement listed the Category C members as: Bahamas, Belgium, Cyprus, Chile, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
Countries elected into Category B representing states with the largest stakes in international seaborne trade include Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Category A, comprising nations most responsible for providing international shipping services, features China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Nigeria’s return, the statement added, is expected to strengthen the country’s maritime and blue economy sectors, boost investor confidence, deepen international partnerships, and reinforce its influence in the Gulf of Guinea’s maritime security architecture.
Responding to the results, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON who spearheaded Nigeria’s year-long diplomatic campaign described the victory as the culmination of intensive global engagements and sustained advocacy.
He said the election is “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” noted that it reflected appreciation for Nigeria’s maritime reforms and security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Our return to the IMO Council after fourteen years signals that Nigeria is back stronger, more strategic and more determined to contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of global shipping, maritime safety and sustainable ocean governance,” Oyetola said.
The Minister expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for providing unwavering support throughout the highly competitive campaign. He also commended the international maritime community for its trust in Nigeria, assuring that the country would serve with integrity and commitment.
He further praised the Technical Committee of Experts, chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola, whose coordination and strategic planning he described as critical to Nigeria’s victory.
Oyetola reiterated that Nigeria must now consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen maritime institutions and assert its rightful place as a leading maritime nation.
