Oyetola rallies global support for Nigeria’s IMO Council re-election
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, sought support from other maritime nations to secure Nigeria’s re-election into Category C of the International Maritime Organisation.
According to a statement by the Nigerian Ports Authority on Wednesday, Oyetola met with the Liberian Minister of Transportation, Sirleaf Tyler, to advance this objective.
The NPA noted that the meeting focused on soliciting support from other maritime nations at the ongoing 133rd Session of the IMO Council in London.
The statement highlighted that Nigeria’s bid to regain its place in Category C of the IMO had received a boost with Oyetola’s meeting with Tyler and efforts to secure broader backing from other maritime nations.
“This development follows Oyetola’s inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with actualising Nigeria’s quest to strengthen its position in the global maritime community.
“This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s maritime potential into tangible contributions to national economic prosperity,” the statement read.
The NPA also disclosed that President Tinubu had earlier signed instruments of accession for six IMO conventions to promote governance best practices. These practices are crucial for Nigeria to access the technical, human capital, and institutional development benefits conferred by election into Category C.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that IMO’s Category C comprises 20 countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation. These nations are elected to the council to ensure representation across all major geographic regions of the world.
With renewed efforts to rejoin the competitive Category C, Nigeria aims to restore its prestige within the global maritime community.
