Nigeria has received a seat on the Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) Council for the 2026 time period to interrupt a 14-year drought.
On Friday in London, the nation was elected into Class C of the IMO Council, becoming a member of 19 different nations together with South Africa and Singapore with “particular pursuits in maritime transport or navigation,” and chosen “to make sure illustration of all main geographic areas of the world,” in keeping with the IMO web site.
Adegboyega Oyetola, the minister of marine and blue economic system, who led Nigeria’s campaign within the final twelve months known as the election a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s maritime reforms and safety efforts within the Gulf of Guinea.
“Our return to the IMO Council after fourteen years indicators that Nigeria is again stronger, extra strategic and extra decided to contribute meaningfully to shaping the way forward for world delivery, maritime security and sustainable ocean governance,” he advised the IMO Normal meeting.
Nigeria has been concerned with the IMO Council because the Seventies, with a historical past of each holding and shedding a seat. It has had profitable stints within the IMO Council in 1975, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, and 2009.
However since shedding its seat within the 2011 election by a single vote, Nigeria has engaged in a continuous push to regain a place on the Council, taking part in subsequent elections in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021, all of which had been unsuccessful.
The ministry says Nigeria’s return is anticipated to assist the nation’s marine and blue economic system and strengthen worldwide partnerships, enhance entry to technical help, increase investor confidence and reinforce Nigeria’s management position within the Gulf of Guinea.
“We should deepen our reforms, strengthen our establishments and make sure that Nigeria takes its rightful place as a number one maritime nation,” the minister mentioned,
