FG Honours IMO Council Campaign Team, Applauds Nigeria’s Category C Victory

The Federal Government has commended nine members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee that spearheaded Nigeria’s successful election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.
Nigeria clinched the coveted seat at the IMO Council elections held on 28 November 2025 in London, a development widely regarded as a major boost to the country’s maritime diplomacy and global standing.
Commendation letters, dated 28 January 2026, were signed by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who praised the committee members for their dedication, professionalism and strategic coordination throughout the campaign.

Those honoured include the committee chairman, Olufemi Oloruntola, former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; Babatunde Bombata, former Director of Maritime Safety and Security; Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority; Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Ambassador Obinna Chiedu Onowu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; former NIMASA Director-General, Dr Ade Dosunmu; Dr Bolaji Akinola, Special Adviser to the Minister; Dr Paschal Ogar, who served as committee secretary; and Mr William Balla, Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO.

In the letters, Dr Oyetola highlighted the committee’s strategic leadership and sustained engagement with IMO Member States as critical to Nigeria’s resounding success. He noted that the team effectively projected Nigeria’s maritime reforms, institutional capacity and long-term potential to the international community.
“Your strategic engagement with IMO Member States and effective campaign management were pivotal to Nigeria’s success at the election, underscoring your unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime interests,” the Minister stated.
Dr Oyetola added that the committee’s efforts reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of the IMO, strengthened international maritime cooperation and enhanced the country’s influence in global maritime governance, expressing confidence in their continued contributions to Nigeria’s maritime ambitions.