In a significant move to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to promote the country’s bid for election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council.
The inauguration took place at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Abuja.
Oyetola emphasized the need for a unified and strategic approach, integrating both diplomatic and operational measures, to secure the necessary votes for a successful election outcome.
Nigeria’s past attempts to join the IMO Council haven’t been successful, having missed out in 2011, 2015, and 2019 despite previous successes in 1975, 2001, and 2005.
However, Oyetola is confident that it’s time for Nigeria to reclaim its position. He argues that Nigeria’s re-election to the Council would solidify its status as a key maritime hub in West Africa, ensuring the nation’s voice is influential in shaping international maritime policies.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee is led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola.
The committee comprises high-ranking officials from various government agencies, including the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.
The committee’s primary objective is to identify initiatives that will enhance Nigeria’s standing within the IMO community by promoting the country’s maritime accomplishments.
Additionally, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the Director-General of NIMASA, has presented six IMO conventions recently approved by President Bola Tinubu to Minister Oyetola, which had been pending for six to eight years.
These developments mark a significant step in Nigeria’s strategic push to regain its seat on the IMO Council, ensuring that the nation’s maritime interests are effectively represented on the global stage.
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