Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to securing a seat in Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council as it took its campaign to a global Maritime and Aviation Symposium in Singapore.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to modernise its maritime infrastructure to foster a sustainable, secure and investment-driven industry.
Oyetola underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria’s vast maritime resources, saying the country’s push for a Category C seat is aimed at enhancing its ability to contribute meaningfully to global maritime policies and decision-making processes.
“The IMO seat will empower Nigeria to influence the global maritime ecosystem and position the country as a major stakeholder in shaping international maritime policies, especially in the West African sub-region,” Oyetola noted.
The symposium focused on ‘Job Creation and Economic Growth in Nigeria’s Maritime and Aviation Sectors’ with NIWA showcasing key initiatives being implemented to unlock the economic potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
Speaking on behalf of NIWA, Oyebamiji described Nigeria’s coastal waters as an “untapped goldmine” with significant job creation and investment opportunities.
He noted that Nigeria is strategically located to serve trade and commerce hub for West Africa and highlighted the government’s efforts to increase global visibility through the marine and blue economy agenda.
“We have carefully positioned our Marine and Blue Economy sector to attract global attention, and our pursuit of an IMO Council seat is part of our broader strategy to accelerate economic integration and maritime development across Africa,” he stated.
Also representing Nigeria at the event was the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who presented investment prospects in the country’s aviation sector and reiterated the government’s commitment to driving growth through international collaboration and infrastructure renewal.
