Switzerland Joins Growing list of Support for Nigeria’s IMO Category ‘C’ Seat Bid

Switzerland Joins Growing list of Support for Nigeria’s IMO Category ‘C’ Seat Bid

The Honourable Minister, Marine and Adegboyega Oyetola CON, (r) receives from the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff (l) a letter from the Swiss Government pledging its support for Nigeria’s bid for Nigeria’s bid for the Category ‘C’ seat on the Council of the International Maritime Organization for the 2026/2027 Biennium elections.

As the roll call of support for Nigeria in the race to clinch the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council Category ‘C’ Seat swells, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy have received the support nod of Switzerland for the 2025 oncoming elections.

The Ministry, according to its recent press statement signed by Anastasia Ogbonna, Director, Information & PR received a letter of support from the Swiss government for Nigeria’s bid for the Category ‘C’ seat on the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026/2027 Biennium elections October/November this year.

The statement disclosed that the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who received the letter of endorsement on Thursday August 28 in his Office during a courtesy visit from Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff, however noted that it marks a significant step forward for Nigeria’s campaign.

Expressing happiness for the show of support from the Swiss government, Oyetola stated that it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Federal Government to upholding international standards, adding that Nigeria’s election will  contribute to a more robust and sustainable global maritime industry.

Continuing, Oyetola explained that Nigeria had 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone, which has been extended by another 16,300 kilometre to the Continental Shelf.

According to him, with such endowment, Nigeria, by any standard, is supposed to be a maritime nation. “To this, the Ministry, in collaboration with World Bank, AU IBAR, Kingdom of Norway, and other Stakeholders, developed a robust National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy that could face the test of time”, he said.

Speaking further, the Minster highlighted that the Federal Government is adopting a Public Private Partnership business model to bring about rapid development in the maritime, with the government holding a token equity. He identified investments on the nation’s inland waterways like the supply of boats, dredging activities, and navigation

Meanwhile, in the area of safety and security of vessels, Oyetola said, “The Deep Blue project, which is a surveillance structure, has assisted us in keeping our waters very safe. There’s been no piracy for the past three years, and we’re trying to sustain that. We try again to ensure that we extend the safety to even the Gulf of Guinea as part of our collaboration with other countries.” the Minister assured.

In his earlier statement, Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff, stated that their visit was prompted by an earlier correspondence from the Minister, Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in April this year asking for support in Nigeria’s bid to clinch the Category ‘C’ seat on the IMO.

“I’m very glad to convey this letter of support; Switzerland is very happy to support you; you’re a very strong candidate. We support your candidacy, your commitment to multilateralism overall, and in particular in this field you bring. You’re a very important country”, Egloff noted.

However as it stands presently, the statement stated that with Switzerland’s endorsement, Nigeria’s campaign for the IMO Category ‘C’ Council seat gains further international momentum ahead of the elections slated for October/November 2025.