Inside Nigeria’s Five-Year IMO Council Journey: Performance, Costs, and the True Value of Category C Seat

By Ameh Benjamin – Maritime Affairs Correspondent

L-R: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON; Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; and Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho during the inauguration of an Inter-Ministerial Committee formed to advance Nigeria’s bid for election to Category C of the International Maritime

Over the past five years, Nigeria has maintained its position on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C, reinforcing its presence on the global maritime stage. While this continued representation is often celebrated by government officials, calls are growing louder for greater transparency regarding the cost of Nigeria’s repeated campaigns and the tangible benefits derived from its membership.

A Seat at the Global Table

The IMO Council is the executive arm of the International Maritime Organization, responsible for supervising the work of the organization between sessions of the Assembly. Membership in Category C is reserved for countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose participation ensures the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.

Nigeria has been elected and re-elected to this category over multiple cycles, with a consistent showing since 2001. In the last three election cycles:  2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025,  Nigeria successfully retained its seat, thanks to aggressive lobbying and diplomatic engagement across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

In 2019, Nigeria won re-election during the 31st IMO Assembly in London, where its anti-piracy leadership in the Gulf of Guinea was a central talking point.

In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic limiting in-person diplomacy, Nigeria secured its position during the virtual 32nd Assembly. The campaign leaned heavily on the impact of the Deep Blue Project and the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, both of which earned international recognition.

Most recently, during the 2023 election, Nigeria again held onto its Category C seat, supported by high-level advocacy from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA. The country showcased its continued commitment to maritime safety, capacity development, and regional leadership.

The during just Concluded 2025 election, Nigeria again held onto its Category C seat, supported by high-level advocacy from the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA.

The Cost Question: How Much Has It Taken?

Despite Nigeria’s consistent success at the IMO Council elections, maritime stakeholders are demanding transparency over the financial involvement in these victories.

Election campaigns typically involve expenditure:

• International diplomatic visits and lobbying missions
• Branding and promotional activities at IMO Headquarters
• Engagement of consultants and media professionals
• Large delegations with travel and accommodation expenses
• Hosting receptions and bilateral meetings

Till to date, no official breakdown has been made public regarding how much Nigeria spends on each election cycle. Industry experts argue that without proper auditing and reporting, the process risks becoming an expensive tradition rather than a strategically measured investment.

What Does Nigeria Gain?

Supporters of Nigeria’s continued membership on the IMO Council say the benefits far outweigh the costs, if managed properly. These include:

• Policy Influence: Nigeria has a voice in shaping international maritime rules and standards that affect its coastline and shipping interests.
• Security Collaboration: The seat helps bolster support for initiatives against piracy and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea.
• Technical Partnerships: Membership often leads to training opportunities and technical assistance from developed maritime nations.
• Global Visibility: Presence at the IMO helps position Nigeria as a credible maritime hub in Africa, boosting investor confidence.
• Regional Representation: Nigeria often advocates for the interests of smaller African nations that lack a voice at the table.

Yet, critics say that these benefits must be measured in practical terms, such as improved port infrastructure, enhanced seafarer welfare, and reduction in maritime crime, and not just in diplomatic visibility as perse.

Time for Accountability and Reform

With Nigeria retaining another election cycle, experts are urging the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIMASA to adopt a more transparent and results-oriented approach to the IMO Council campaigns.

“The maritime community deserves to know the cost of these campaigns and how they translate into improvements within the Nigerian maritime sector,” said one industry analyst who requested anonymity.

As Nigeria continues to position itself as Africa’s maritime leader, many believe it is time to shift from symbolic wins to measurable outcomes. Disclosing the cost of IMO Council elections, tracking deliverables, and publishing post-election performance reports would go a long way in building public trust and ensuring that the benefits of Nigeria’s global representation are felt at home.

For now, Nigeria remains at the table — but the pressure is mounting to prove that the seat is worth the price.