Nigeria commences ‘Door-to-Door’ Diplomacy for IMO Council Campaign

In a determined push to strengthen Nigeria’s presence on the global maritime stage, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has intensified a wide-reaching diplomatic campaign to secure Nigeria’s election into Category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council.

Oyetola, who formally flagged off Nigeria’s campaign at the IMO Headquarters in London on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, has since embarked on a vigorous series of high-level bilateral engagements. Since Monday this week, the Minister has been meeting with representatives of key maritime nations in what has been described as “door-to-door diplomacy” aimed at winning critical sup- port ahead of the upcoming elections.

Speaking to delegates on the sidelines of the ongoing 134th Session of the IMO Council in London, the Minister said: “Nigeria is not just seeking a seat; we are offering partnership, commitment, and leadership. We come to the IMO table with a strong track record in maritime security, a vast coastline brimming with potential, and a renewed national agenda anchored on collaboration and sustainability.”

Among the countries already engaged in this diplomatic outreach are Greece, Spain, Oman, Bangladesh, Namibia, Mexico, Italy and several others. Oyetola also delivered messages of goodwill from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing Nigeria’s seriousness and unity of purpose in the bid.

A cornerstone of Nigeria’s campaign is its impressive performance in maritime security, particularly the eradication of piracy in Nigeria’s territorial waters and reduction of incidents in the larger Gulf of Guinea. Oyetola said for three consecutive years, Nigeria has recorded zero incidents of piracy in its waters, a feat largely attributed to the deployment of the Deep Blue security architecture and improved regional cooperation.