From left: Permanent Secretary for Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oluruntola, the Minister, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, MD, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho and DG, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola shortly before the election.

Nigeria last week, recorded a historic victory after 14 years of repeated failed attempts, as the country was elected into Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation IMO, for the 2026–2027 biennium.

The election, held Friday, November 28, 2025, during the IMO General Assembly in London, marks Nigeria’s triumphant return to the Council, a development experts believe restores her to global reckoning among the comity of maritime nations.

From left: DG NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola congratulates the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola shortly after the election.

By virtue of this election, Nigeria seats at the Category C of the IMO Council among 19 other countries, which include Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica and Malaysia.

Others are Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and Turkey.

The Category (c) of the IMO Council, is made up of 20 member states of the IMO, which are not elected under (a) or (b), but which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

The newly elected Council will meet for its 136th session on December 4, 2025, where it is expected to elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the next biennium.

Meanwhile, the Category A, of the IMO Assembly, which is made up of 10-member states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services include China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

The Category B of the Assembly is also made up of 10-member states with the largest interest in international seaborne trade. They are- Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates UAE.

Speaking on the victory, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who led Nigeria’s campaign, said the victory crowned the over twelve months of intensive diplomacy shuttles, targeted engagements and sustained advocacy across various countries and maritime blocs.

The visibly elated Minister noted shortly after the results were declared that Nigeria’s election was a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This victory is not just for Nigeria; it is a vote of confidence in our maritime reforms, our security efforts in the Gulf of Guinea, and the bold vision of His Excellency President Tinubu to unlock the full potential of the blue economy.”

“Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council after 14 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. We worked tirelessly, travelling across continents, building bridges and reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to take up this responsibility”, Oyetola further said.

He however emphasised that the election represents a major boost to Nigeria’s profile in global maritime governance.