African UN Group Backs Nigeria’s IMO Council Seat Ambition

By Adedapo Adesanya

Nigeria’s candidature for election into Category “C” of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium has gotten a big boost from the African Group at the United Nations.

The backing came during a meeting at the African Union Mission in New York, with the group praising Nigeria’s exemplary leadership in maritime security and its steadfast commitment to promoting Africa’s collective voice in global shipping governance.

Nigeria has an ambition to boost its maritime sector, and its election into the category will allow it to have a voice among other top global shipping and trading powers.

Mr Mohamed Dabo, Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea to the UN and Chair of the African Group for September, commended Nigeria for its “unmatched leadership role in the fight against piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.”

He noted that Nigeria’s decisive actions had significantly reduced piracy incidents in the region.

Mr Dabo further described Nigeria as a “brotherly nation” whose leadership extended beyond its borders, consistently championing Africa’s agenda at the UN.

“Nigeria’s record makes its candidature most deserving of our support,” Mr Dabo said.

He pledged the group’s complete and unreserved backing for Nigeria at the election scheduled to hold later this year at the IMO Assembly in London.

Also speaking, South Africa’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, welcomed Nigeria’s pledge to champion the expansion of the IMO Council to accommodate more African states.

Mr Schalkwyk affirmed South Africa’s support, highlighting Nigeria’s proven ability to represent Africa’s maritime and economic interests.

Presenting Nigeria’s bid, Mr Oyetola underscored the country’s six-decade membership and active contributions to the IMO, emphasising that this was “not only about Nigeria, but about strengthening Africa’s collective voice in global maritime affairs.”

“Nigeria has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for the objectives of the organisation and contributed meaningfully to the growth, safety and sustainability of the global maritime sector.

“Out of the 176 Member States of the IMO, Africa accounts for roughly 25 per cent of the total membership, yet our continent currently holds only four out of the 40 Council seats,” Mr Oyetola disclosed.

According to him, the disparity underlines the urgent need for stronger African representation in the governance of global shipping, saying Nigeria was committed to helping bridge that gap on behalf of our continent.

He highlighted Nigeria’s strategic maritime role, noting that “over 65 per cent of shipping traffic bound for West and Central Africa transits through Nigerian waters.”