Oyetola Champions Nigeria’s Bid for IMO Council Seat in New York

Oyetola Champions Nigeria’s Bid for IMO Council Seat in New York

 

 

Nigeria’s campaign for a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C has entered a crucial stage as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, formally engaged African Permanent Representatives to the United Nations in New York. The event took place at Nigeria House ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

The campaign, officially launched in London on June 18 at the IMO Headquarters, seeks to mobilise diplomatic support for Nigeria ahead of the Council elections later this year.

 

In his address, Minister Oyetola expressed gratitude to the UN envoys for attending and conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s warm greetings. He described Nigeria’s bid as more than an aspiration, framing it as a commitment to international maritime partnership.

 

Highlighting Nigeria’s maritime strengths, Oyetola noted the country’s 853 kilometres of coastline, over 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, a vast Exclusive Economic Zone, and its strategic position along the Gulf of Guinea, a key corridor for global trade. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s alignment with the IMO’s mandate for safe, secure, efficient, and environmentally responsible shipping.

 

The Minister also showcased Nigeria’s achievements under the Deep Blue Project led by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which integrates air, land, and sea assets to strengthen maritime security. He highlighted that Nigeria has maintained zero piracy incidents in its waters for three consecutive years, contributing to enhanced confidence among international shipping stakeholders.

 

Oyetola further underscored Nigeria’s ongoing institutional reforms and the country’s commitment to the blue economy. He emphasized Nigeria’s ratification and domestication of key IMO conventions, and its plans to adopt additional instruments addressing greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and maritime labor rights.

 

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas, and marine resources, as well as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

 

Concluding, the Minister stressed that a vote for Nigeria would represent a vote for responsible leadership, inclusivity, and cooperative progress in global maritime governance.