Nigeria’s campaign to secure a Category ‘C’ seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026/2027 biennium received a significant boost on Thursday, as the Government of Switzerland formally pledged its support.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, received the Swiss Government’s letter of endorsement during a courtesy visit by the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Felix Egloff, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Expressing his delight, Oyetola described Switzerland’s backing as “a milestone in Nigeria’s campaign and a strong testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to upholding international maritime standards.”
According to him, Nigeria’s election into the IMO Council would further reinforce global efforts towards building “a more robust, safe, and sustainable maritime industry.”
The Minister highlighted Nigeria’s maritime endowments, noting that the country enjoys 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone and an extended continental shelf of 16,300km, which firmly position it as a strategic maritime nation.
“With these vast endowments, Nigeria, by any standard, is a maritime nation. That’s why the Ministry, in collaboration with the World Bank, AU-IBAR, the Kingdom of Norway, and other stakeholders, has developed a comprehensive National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy capable of standing the test of time,” he stated.
Oyetola also revealed that the Federal Government is adopting a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to accelerate investments in the maritime sector, including inland waterways development, the supply of boats, dredging, and the provision of modern navigation infrastructure.
On maritime security, he pointed to the success of the Deep Blue Project—Nigeria’s advanced surveillance and security framework:
“For the past three years, there has been zero piracy in our waters, and we’re committed to sustaining this achievement. We’re also working closely with other Gulf of Guinea countries to extend safety and security beyond our national waters.”
Ambassador Egloff explained that Switzerland’s decision to support Nigeria came in response to a formal request made by the Ministry in April 2025.
“I’m very glad to convey this letter of support. Switzerland is very happy to stand with Nigeria. You’re a strong candidate, and we appreciate your commitment to multilateralism and the maritime sector. Nigeria plays a very important role globally,” he said.
Switzerland’s pledge adds to the growing list of countries that have thrown their weight behind Nigeria’s candidature. Previously, France, Tanzania, several African nations, and a number of small island states had all declared their support.
With this widening coalition of international endorsements, Nigeria’s campaign for the IMO Category ‘C’ Council seat gathers even greater momentum ahead of the decisive elections, scheduled for November.
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