Nigeria’s Re-Election to IMO Council Category C Reflects Rising Maritime Power – PC-NCG Boss
The Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the Provisionary Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG), Captain Noah Ichaba has hailed Nigeria’s election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council’s Category C membership for 2026-2027, saying it showcases the country’s increasing influence in global maritime governance and dedication to maritime safety, security, and environmental sustainability.
In a statement issued by Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Captain Ichaba praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the maritime sector and acknowledged the visionary leadership of the Hon. Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, for their strategic diplomacy and advocacy that led to Nigeria’s re-election to the IMO Council.
According to Captain Ichaba, Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council after fourteen years of unsuccessful attempts by previous administrations highlights the benefits the country will gain, including strengthened international partnerships, enhanced technical support, increased investor confidence, and reinforced leadership in the Gulf of Guinea.
He noted that Dr. Oyetola’s initiatives to drive reforms and fortify maritime institutions have positioned Nigeria to take its rightful place among leading maritime nations. “This election places Nigeria alongside 19 other Category C nations, recognised for their significant interests in maritime transport and navigation, promoting balanced geographical representation on the IMO Council.”
The elected states in Category C are: Bahamas, Belgium, Cyprus, Chile, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.
Countries elected into Category B, representing nations with the largest interests in international seaborne trade, are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
While Category A, comprising the world’s leading providers of international shipping services, saw the election of China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Category C membership comes with several perks, including influencing global maritime policies, shaping IMO policies on safety, security, and environmental sustainability, and accessing technical assistance programs. Members also participate in IMO Council decisions, reinforcing their leadership role in regional maritime affairs. Plus, having the privilege to tap into IMO expertise and resources and network with other member states and industry stakeholders.
It would be recalled that the IMO Council has 40 members, categorized into three groups:
Category A: 10 countries with significant tonnage (major ship-owning nations, Category B: 10 countries with significant maritime interests (major trading nations) and Category C: 20 countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation (geographical representation)
Each category has specific election criteria and term limits, ensuring fair representation and rotation of member states.
“With the Category C joy in our hearts, the authorities should please bear in mind that Nigeria is not forbidden from attaining categories B and A, if we do the needful and rightly position our nation for the next category, particularly, when Articles 2 paragraph 3, 94 paragraph 1 and 2 of the UNCLOS III are respected alongside IMO guideline contained in MSC.1/circ.1405/Rev.2 paragraph 1.2 and UNCLOS III Resolution A.1079 (28) on ISPS Code as well as the Global Maritime Security Conference (GMSC) 2019 Recommendations 6, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17 among others.
As it is now, the immediate task before the authorities is the establishment of Coast Guard which is the only truly and globally recognized maritime law enforcement Agency. This is very important as all we have presently within the maritime space are all regulatory agencies. An urgent action in creating Coast Guard will give Nigeria greater chance of advancing to category B with minimal bilateral diplomacy and resource usage,” Captain Ichaba maintained.
