The African Group at the United Nations has endorsed Nigeria’s candidature for election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.
The declaration came after Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, presented the country’s bid at the African Union Mission in New York.
Amb. Mohamed Dabo, Equatorial Guinea’s Permanent Representative to the UN and Chair of the African Group for September, praised Nigeria’s role in maritime security, particularly in curbing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
“Nigeria’s record makes its candidature most deserving of our support,” he said, pledging the group’s “complete and unreserved” backing ahead of the IMO Assembly election in London later this year.
South Africa’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, also affirmed support, welcoming Nigeria’s pledge to champion the expansion of the IMO Council to include more African states.
In his presentation, Oyetola underscored Nigeria’s six-decade IMO membership, citing investments in port modernisation, digitalisation and trade facilitation. He said Nigeria’s bid was “not only about Nigeria, but about strengthening Africa’s collective voice in global maritime affairs.”
Highlighting Nigeria’s maritime achievements, Oyetola pointed to the Deep Blue Project and the 2019 SPOMO Act, which together created a robust security framework. “For four consecutive years, Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents on its waters,” he said, noting that 65 per cent of shipping traffic to West and Central Africa passes through Nigerian waters.
Oyetola also called for stronger African representation, stressing that Africa holds only four of 40 IMO Council seats despite making up 25 per cent of IMO membership.
Nigeria, he pledged, will continue supporting IMO conventions, maritime safety, environmental sustainability and the Blue Economy agenda in line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Nigeria’s acting Ambassador to the US, Amb. Samson Itegboje, said the African Group’s endorsement would give Nigeria a major boost. He added that the campaign reflects a collective commitment to ensure Africa’s voice remains central in shaping the future of global shipping.
