…Tinubu Calls It Global Confidence Vote
Nigeria has secured a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium, signalling the country’s return to the global maritime decision-making table after a 14-year absence.
Announcing the development on Saturday, the Presidency said the re-election, under Category C of the Council, was confirmed during the IMO General Assembly held in London on Friday, 28 November 2025.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lauded the outcome, calling it “a strong endorsement of the country’s growing maritime influence and its constructive role in global shipping governance.”
He said the victory reflects “the international community’s confidence in the nation’s commitment to safety, security, environmental stewardship, and rules-based maritime operations.”
President Tinubu commended the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, headed by Adegboyega Oyetola, together with the staff of the ministry, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and Nigeria’s diplomatic corps for their “strategic engagement and professionalism throughout the election process.”
He added that the new mandate aligns with his administration’s ambition to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s “blue economy”, expand maritime infrastructure, strengthen anti-piracy operations, and position Nigeria as a leading regional shipping hub.
The President assured the global maritime community of Nigeria’s readiness to promote “safer seas, cleaner oceans, more efficient maritime transport systems,” and to champion “cooperation, innovation, and fairness in global maritime regulation.”
For its part, the Ministry stated that the win was the result of more than a year of diplomatic outreach, engagement with maritime blocs, and sustained advocacy across various regions.
The Minister described the result as “a landmark endorsement of the renewed confidence the world has in Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The IMO is a United Nations-affiliated body responsible for regulating international shipping, maritime safety, security, and pollution control.
Between sessions of the IMO Assembly, the Council serves as the executive organ responsible for supervising the work of the organisation.
The Council comprises 40 member states: ten from countries with the largest interest in providing international shipping services (Category A), ten from those with the largest interest in international seaborne trade (Category B), and 20 states that have special interests in maritime transport or navigation to ensure global geographic representation (Category C).
With Nigeria now in Category C, the country joins other nations occupying similar Category-C slots.
As a Council member, Nigeria will have a substantial platform to influence international maritime policy, including shaping regulations on maritime safety, environmental protection, shipping standards, and sustainable ocean governance.
Here is a revised version of the news report — written in a clear, formal but accessible style, in British English. I have incorporated additional context from recent public sources.
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