Nigeria Rallies Island Nations in Strategic IMO Council Bid

By Mina

In a bold diplomatic maneuver reflective of its growing maritime ambitions, Nigeria has launched a strategic outreach to island nations in a bid to secure a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council. On the sidelines of the recently concluded 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, led Nigeria’s charge for a coveted Category C seat, engaging with key leaders from small island states.

Oyetola held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Hon. James Marape; Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Sustainable Development, Dr. Joyelle Clarke; and Tuvalu’s Minister of Home Affairs and Environment, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia. These engagements mark a deliberate push to build coalitions with nations that, while geographically distant, share maritime vulnerabilities and aspirations.

Nigeria’s approach under Oyetola emphasized shared values and mutual benefits. The Minister articulated a clear vision, Nigeria’s candidacy is about more than national interest it is about rebalancing representation within global maritime governance. He pledged that if elected, Nigeria would champion the voices of African, coastal, and small island states, many of whom face the twin threats of climate change and economic marginalization in ocean-based economies.

This diplomatic initiative is anchored in Nigeria’s recent institutional pivot toward the sea. The establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, signaled a reinvigorated national focus on maritime sustainability, blue economic diversification, and ocean governance.

Nigeria, Oyetola stressed, is reimagining its relationship with the ocean investing in port modernization, maritime security, coastal development, and environmental stewardship. But equally important is the spirit of partnership. The Minister invited island nations to view Nigeria not just as a candidate, but as a committed collaborator advocating for equitable maritime regulation, climate-smart shipping solutions, and inclusive economic cooperation.

As the IMO Council elections draw near, Nigeria’s diplomatic campaign appears as much about influence as it is about advocacy. By courting nations with aligned interests and shared challenges, Nigeria is positioning itself as a credible voice for developing states in the global maritime order.

In an increasingly interconnected and climate-vulnerable world, Oyetola’s pitch is timely. Nigeria’s bid for the IMO Council is not just a play for status

it is a declaration of intent to help shape a maritime future that is inclusive, sustainable, and resilient.