By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
Nigeria has intensified its campaign for a Category C seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council, strategically leveraging a renewed effort at the recent Global Maritime and Aviation Symposium in Singapore.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, whose representative was Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), led Nigeria’s delegation.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, Oyetola reaffirmed Nigeria’s deep commitment to modernising its maritime infrastructure. He highlighted the nation’s unique strategic location, poised to significantly boost trade, create jobs, and foster economic development.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s bid for the IMO seat is intrinsically linked to its vision of actively shaping global maritime policies. “Securing a Category C seat at the IMO Council will enhance Nigeria’s influence in the global maritime space and reinforce our leadership position along the West African coast,” Oyetola stated, underlining the strategic imperative.
The symposium, which focused on economic growth through maritime and aviation, provided Nigeria a crucial platform to showcase its investment opportunities. Oyebamiji particularly illuminated Nigeria’s vast, untapped maritime potential, describing the country’s inland and coastal waterways as a “goldmine” for sustainable development and job creation.
He added that Nigeria’s expansive blue economy has been meticulously positioned to attract substantial foreign investment, stressing that the country’s geographic advantage firmly places it at the epicentre of trade and logistics in West Africa.
“Our Marine and Blue Economy is specifically designed to drive visibility and competitiveness,” he said. “Having a voice at the IMO will profoundly amplify our role in regional trade facilitation and global maritime discourse.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, also spoke at the Singapore forum, highlighting various investment opportunities in the aviation sector and reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernising aviation infrastructure and services.
Nigeria’s prominent participation in the symposium highlights its broader international engagement strategy as the nation actively pursues election to the IMO Council later this year.