Nigeria has stepped up its diplomatic campaign for a seat on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola held strategic talks with leaders of small island nations during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
The meetings, held on the sidelines of the global event, were part of the country’s push to secure election into Category C of the IMO Council later this year.
Oyetola met separately with Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape, Saint Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, Dr. Joyelle Clarke, and Tuvalu’s Minister of Home Affairs, Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Maina Vakafua Talia.
The meetings underscore Nigeria’s commitment to building alliances with countries that, though geographically distant, share common vulnerabilities and aspirations within the global maritime community.
According to the minister, “Nigeria’s quest for a seat on the IMO Council is not driven by ambition alone but by a desire to ensure greater representation for African nations, developing countries, and vulnerable coastal and island states in global maritime decision-making.”
He assured Nigeria would be a reliable ally, advocating for stronger global commitments to maritime decarbonisation.
