Nigeria Set to Clinch IMO Category ‘C’ Seat, as Oyetola Rolls out FMMBE Feats, Says Nigeria Records Zero Incidence of Piracy in GoG

Nigeria, Set to Clinch IMO Category ‘C’ Seat, as Oyetola Rolls out FMMBE Feats, Says Nigeria Records Zero Incidence of Piracy in GoG

ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA CON, MINISTER FMMBE, ADDRESSING PARTICIPANTS AT THE LUNCHEON

As Nigeria prepares to contest for the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Category ‘C’ elections, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) tends to be putting all cards on the table to ensure that this time around, Nigeria clinched the highly coveted Seat reserved for serious Maritime nation in the African Continent.

With the spate of serial failures in the last three trials between 2011 and 2019 after its successful stints in 1975, 2001 and 2005, Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has expressed confidence of clinching the seat this time around, citing the several positive developments in the Nigeria’s maritime domain that have been achieved since the emergence of the new ministry.

Recently, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON speaking at a luncheon with members of the League of Maritime Editors (LOME) on Thursday January 30th, 2025 at Eko Le’ Meridian Hotel in Lagos, unfolded strategic plans of the ministry to continue to develop the Nigerian Blue Economy, as he disclosed that in the past one year, Nigerian territorial waters and that of the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) have been very safe.

Oyetola Minister of FMMBE with Mrs Remi Itie, President League of Maritime Editors (L), and Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary

According to him, the Ministry has recorded an unprecedented zero incident of Piracy and maritime terrorism for more than one year, nothing that, the achievement was reinforced by the procurement of seven N13million worth of armoured patrol boats for flag, port and coastal state operators, a development that has led to the world shipping community full of commendation for this effort.

He however noted that with improved security and safety on GoG and the Nigerian waters, the chances of Nigeria clinching the Category ‘C’ Seat in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) have brightened.

It would be recalled that, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola has since disclosed Nigeria’s interest to once again seek the Category “C” membership on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council. This interest was officially made known at the 2024 World Maritime Day Parallel Event, in Barcelona, Spain where the Minister held talks with fellow counterparts to advance the maritime agenda and the interest of Nigeria to seek a Category “C” IMO Council membership.

He noted that Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy have built its framework and proposed a road map for the new ministry to conform with IMO’s implementation code.

The Minister in a statement signed by Muhammad Tahir Zakari, the Head of Press & PR in the ministry, also informed his counterparts that Nigeria, as a maritime nation, stands firmly committed to the principles and goals of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

“Our active participation in upholding key conventions, such as the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, reflects our dedication to ensuring the safety of international shipping’’ he stated.

Group photograph of the Minister with his Directors and the various Maritime Agencies’ CEOs

He noted that Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the crucial shipping lanes that traverse West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea alongside the country’s bold and consistent steps to secure the Gulf of Guinea waters through deliberate initiatives like the Deep Blue Project, amongst others reflects Nigeria’s commitment to IMO’s principles and goals buttressing reasons to why Nigeria should be considered.

He also reeled out Nigeria’s adherence to IMO’s instruments and key conventions as criteria to be considered in the comity of maritime nations Council.

‘‘Nigeria’s commitment extends beyond safety and security. We are fully in tune with the IMO’s environmental protection mandates, as outlined in the MARPOL Convention, and we will continue to adopt measures to reduce marine pollution from ships and promote sustainability within the maritime sector” Oyetola said.

In recognition of the fact that the future of shipping is in green energy and sustainable practices, we are also embracing the IMO’s de-carbonization strategy. I affirm here that our diligence is to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in shipping, Oyetola said.

He affirmed that as a reliable and responsible maritime nation, Nigeria stands ready to collaborate with all member states to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable future for the global maritime community. As together, they can chart a course that benefits all nations and secures the future of international shipping.

It would also be recalled that, the ministry quest for comprehensive action in Nigeria’s bid to be elected to Category C of IMO Council led to the inauguration of an earlier Inter-Ministerial Committee to promote the campaign.

At the inauguration which was held at the Boardroom of the FMMBE headquarters in Abuja last year, Oyetola task members of the committee that the campaign must be all-inclusive, taking into consideration diplomatic and operational strategies in soliciting votes to yield good dividends, as he noted that Nigeria is due to return to the Council to cement its relevance as a strategic Maritime domain and a strong voice in West Africa.

The inter-ministerial committee for Nigeria’s election to the IMO Executive Council at the 34th Regular Session in 2025 comprises high-level officials led by the Permanent Secretary of the FMMBE, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola.

Members of the committee include the Director of Maritime Security and Safety from the FMMBE and the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who will serve as alternate chairpersons.

Other members are the Directors of Legal Services and Maritime Services from the FMMBE, the Director of International Organizations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, and the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.

Others include the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu (Stakeholder); the representative of the Office of the Honorable Minister of the FMMBE, Dr. Charles Akinola; and the Assistant Director, Maritime Pollution Control at the FMMBE, Mr. Paschal Ogah, who will serve as Secretary to the Committee.

The committee is tasked with identifying activities and actions that will promote Nigeria’s standing in the IMO community by articulating and showcasing the country’s maritime achievements.