Nigeria determined to join IMO Council

Nigeria is early to the campaign trail

NIGERIA: Attending the 2024 World Maritime Day parallel event in Spain, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, used the opportunity to articulate the country’s intention to seek election onto the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) council at the next elections.

“I am pleased to announce Nigeria’s resolve to seek a Category “C” membership on the Council,” he announced.

“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 said adding that Nigeria has solidified its role as a key guardian of maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The ambition is shared by the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola who noted that “no stone will be left unturned” to ensure success in their quest for election.

“We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO.”

“We at NIMASA have met with the IMO technical team and have commenced work on all identified grey areas so that Nigeria can address the gaps identified during the last audit by the IMO. We have also commenced the process of effective communication with other member states using the IMO GSIS platform, among others.

While we at NIMASA focus on the technical aspects of the preparations, our supervising Ministry will provide the political will to guide Nigeria back to the Council at the IMO,” he said.

Oyetola, who held engagement sessions with the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez and other diplomats, was accompanied on the working tour by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola; the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho; the Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji; and the Director of Maritime Safety and Security Services, Babatunde Bombata.

PHOTO: L-R: Director, Maritime Security and Safety, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, FM M&BE, Babatunde Bombata; Honourable Minister, FM M&BE, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Secretary General, International Maritime Organisation, IMO, Arsenio Dominguez; Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho during the 2024 World Maritime Day Parallel Event, held in Barcelona, Spain.