Nigeria is set to go head-to-head with 25 other countries for a coveted Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium.
The elections, scheduled to hold during the IMO General Assembly in London from November 24 to December 3, 2025, will determine the 40-member Council that governs the IMO between Assembly sessions.
Only 20 of the 26 contenders will be elected into Category C, which represents states with special interests in maritime transport or navigation and ensures equitable geographical representation on the Council.
Nigeria’s bid comes amid intense global competition, as the country joins 25 others — Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Türkiye — in contesting for the 20 available Category C seats.
Of these, 20 are current Council members seeking re-election, while Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Belgium, South Africa, and Thailand are new challengers hoping to unseat some incumbents.
The current Category C members, whose tenure expires at the end of 2025, include Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.
Africa will have a strong presence in the contest, with five countries — Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria — vying for seats.
Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco are incumbents, while Nigeria and South Africa are seeking to return to the Council after a prolonged absence.
Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has argued at different fora that the country’s victory would strengthen the Africa’s voice within the IMO, particularly in advancing issues affecting West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, such as maritime security, environmental protection, and trade facilitation.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, Nigeria has mounted an intensive international campaign that has drawn global attention. The country formally launched its bid at the IMO headquarters in London on 18th June on the sidelines of the 110th Session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110). The launch was attended by delegates from more than 120 IMO member states.
Oyetola underscored Nigeria’s growing maritime influence, pointing to its improved safety record, leadership in the Gulf of Guinea, and the administration’s renewed focus on the blue economy as key credentials for re-election.
Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements have been extensive. Oyetola has held bilateral meetings with representatives from France, Greece, Spain, Switzerland, Oman, Bangladesh, Namibia, Italy, Tanzania, and Small Island Developing States among others, to rally support for Nigeria’s candidacy.
The country’s efforts have already yielded significant endorsements. Switzerland publicly announced its backing, describing Nigeria as an important partner in promoting maritime safety and sustainable shipping in Africa.
Tanzania has also endorsed Nigeria’s bid, affirming its confidence in Nigeria’s leadership and cooperation on regional maritime matters.
Furthermore, the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), comprising 25 member states, has given Nigeria its unanimous endorsement, pledging bloc support for the upcoming election.
To strengthen coordination at home, the Federal Government inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee involving key maritime agencies such as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
The committee has been tasked with coordinating Nigeria’s outreach efforts and highlighting the country’s achievements, including three consecutive years of zero piracy incidents in its territorial waters under the Deep Blue maritime security project.
Nigeria’s campaign also leverages its historical participation in the IMO Council. The country previously served two consecutive terms under Category C, from 2007 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2011, before losing subsequent elections.
Its closest return bid was in 2019, when it lost by a single vote to Kenya. The government views this year’s contest as an opportunity to reclaim its place at the heart of global maritime decision-making.
Serving on the IMO Council carries immense significance. It provides countries with direct influence over international maritime policy, including safety regulations, environmental protection standards, and shipping governance.
Council membership also enhances access to technical assistance, training, and capacity-building programmes that can help strengthen domestic maritime institutions.
For Nigeria, regaining its seat would not only boost its global maritime standing but also consolidate its leadership role in West Africa’s blue economy.
Competition across all IMO Council categories is expected to be fierce.
For Category A, comprising states with the largest interest in providing international shipping services, the 11 candidates vying for 10 seats are China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States of America.
Similarly, 11 contenders are vying for the 10 seats under Category B. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and United Arab Emirates.
Nigeria’s chances for return to Category C are regarded as promising, given its recent maritime reforms, robust diplomatic campaign, and improved regional reputation.
However, the race remains highly competitive, with incumbents such as Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco working to retain their seats.
Analysts note that while Nigeria’s recent maritime achievements and strong governmental backing have boosted its prospects, its success will depend on sustained diplomatic engagement and vote mobilisation among IMO member states.
Also, the recent three-day visit of IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez to Nigeria is believed to be a boost for the country.
For Africa’s most populous country, the 2025 IMO election represents far more than a contest for a seat. It is a bid to reaffirm its place as a global maritime leader, restore Africa’s balance of representation within the IMO, and solidify its role in shaping the future of the world’s maritime governance.
As Minister Oyetola declared in London, “Nigeria’s maritime resurgence is real, and our place on the IMO Council will ensure that Africa’s voice — especially that of West Africa — is heard and respected in global maritime policy.”
Whether Nigeria’s extensive campaign and recent maritime progress will translate into votes at the General Assembly remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the coming elections will test Nigeria’s diplomatic strength and its ability to convert goodwill into global recognition after more than a decade away from the IMO Council.
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