(DDM) — Nigeria has officially regained its seat on the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ending a 14‑year absence from the global body’s decision‑making table.
The election took place on Friday, 28 November 2025, at the IMO General Assembly in London, where Nigeria secured a seat in Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium.
The return marks a diplomatic breakthrough for the country and a signal that international confidence in Nigeria’s maritime credentials has revived.
The move was led by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the stewardship of Adegboyega Oyetola, who spearheaded a year‑long campaign involving extensive diplomatic lobbying, strategic engagements and collaboration across maritime blocs.
Supporters within the maritime industry welcomed the development. The Managing Director of SeaExpress Transit Limited, Mr. Thompson Eja, described Nigeria’s return as a “historic restoration of national relevance” in global shipping governance. He urged authorities to leverage the achievement by pushing through bold reforms across the maritime sector.
Industry watchers say the win should not be seen as merely symbolic. Rather, it offers Nigeria a new platform to influence international maritime policy, attract foreign investment into its ports and shipping infrastructure, and accelerate the growth of its blue economy ambitions.
Despite the welcome back into global maritime governance, stakeholders warn that the success must translate into concrete reforms at home.
They point out that over the years Nigeria lagged behind due to infrastructure deficits, weak regulatory enforcement, maritime security challenges, especially piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and inadequate implementation of international maritime conventions.
To fully exploit the IMO mandate, maritime experts argue urgent steps are needed: modernization of ports, improved inland waterways infrastructure, stricter enforcement of maritime safety and environmental standards, and robust institutional capacity in agencies like Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and related regulatory bodies.
The broader maritime community is hopeful. Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council could mark the beginning of a renewed push to turn the country’s vast coastline, strategic ports and maritime resources into engines of economic growth, job creation, and regional trade dominance.
But much will depend on political will, transparent policy implementation, and ongoing collaboration between government, private sector players, and international partners.
Nigeria’s re‑election to the IMO Council heralds a new chapter, one of promise for the blue economy. The challenge now is to turn that promise into measurable progress across ports, shipping, security, and maritime trade.