The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has received a key endorsement from the Swiss government in support of Nigeria’s bid for the Category ‘C’ seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026/2027 biennium.
The endorsement letter was presented to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, during a courtesy visit from Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff. The Minister described the support as a testament to the Federal Government’s dedication to upholding international maritime standards and advancing a sustainable global shipping industry.
Minister Oyetola highlighted Nigeria’s extensive maritime endowment, including a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone extended by an additional 16,300 kilometres to the continental shelf. He noted that, given such resources, Nigeria is naturally positioned as a maritime nation. The Ministry, in collaboration with the World Bank, AU IBAR, Norway, and other stakeholders, has developed a robust National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy to drive long-term growth.
The Minister further explained that the Federal Government is leveraging a Public-Private Partnership model to accelerate development in the maritime sector, including inland waterway investments, boat supply, dredging activities, and navigation infrastructure. He also underscored safety initiatives such as the Deep Blue Project, which has kept Nigerian waters free of piracy for the past three years and aims to extend security into the Gulf of Guinea.
Ambassador Egloff, presenting Switzerland’s support, described Nigeria as a “strong candidate” and praised its commitment to multilateralism, noting the country’s vital role in global maritime governance.
With this endorsement, Nigeria’s campaign for the IMO Category ‘C’ Council seat gains significant international traction ahead of the elections scheduled for October/November 2025.
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