Members of the newly elected Council will now meet for the 136th session on December 4 for election of the chair and vice chair.
by Blue Africa News
Nigeria’s recent election to a Category “C” seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council marks the culmination of more than a year of strategic diplomacy, global outreach, and sustained advocacy, according to the country’s Marine and Blue Economy Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola.
The minister termed the election as a proud moment for the West African nation, marking Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council the first time in 14 years. The term runs from from 2026 until 2027.
“Nigeria is back, stronger, ready to lead, and committed to driving safer, smarter and more sustainable oceans,” declared Dr. Oyetola.
“The win reflects trust in Nigeria’s maritime reforms, enhanced Gulf of Guinea security, and the nation’s ambitious blue economy vision,” he added.
“With this election, the country regains a strategic voice among the comity of maritime nations, reinforcing its commitment to international shipping governance and maritime development,” said Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in a separate statement.
The elections, held at IMO’s London headquarters on November 28, 2025 also saw three other African countries – Morocco, South Africa and Egypt – elected to the Category “C” seat.
Category “C” seat refers to 20 states whose election to the Council ensures the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.
Category “A” refers to 10 states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, while category “B” are countries with the largest interest in international seaborne trade.
Besides the three African representatives, the other countries elected to the seat are: Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Türkiye.
Liberia retained its seat in category “A,” retaining its position as the only African country in the league of leading maritime nations, reflecting the West African country’s “enduring reputation as a respected maritime nation and a reliable contributor to the safety, regulation, and development of global sea Transport,” said the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA) in a statement.
Liberia holds the world’s largest ship registry, with a disproportionate number of the word’s shipping fleet registered in the West African country. As a result it also plays a leading role in maritime policy and governance.
Members of the newly elected Council will now meet for the 136th session on December 04, 2025. Election of the Council chair and vice-chair will be conducted during the session.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News