By Peace Udugba
Ahead of the upcoming International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council elections scheduled to take place in London, United Kingdom, from November 8 to 12, 2025, Nigeria and 25 other countries with vested interests in maritime transport and navigation have intensified their campaigns at the international level to secure votes.
The elections will fill the 40-member council, divided into Categories A, B, and C, in accordance with Articles 16 and 17 of the IMO Convention.
Among the 25 other IMO Member States expected to contest alongside Nigeria for seats in Category C are: Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, and Pakistan. These countries, like Nigeria, are aiming to secure representation in the council to influence global maritime policies and decisions.
Other countries contesting for the IMO Category C Council seat include the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Türkiye. In total, 26 countries from across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are vying for the 20 available seats in the 2026–2027 IMO Council under Category C. This means that six countries will not make the cut and will have to return to the drawing board to prepare for the next election cycle.
Unlike Categories A and B—which are limited to 10 members each and are typically reserved for nations with the largest interest in providing international shipping services—Category C is designed to ensure broad geographical representation. It allows for the inclusion of countries with special interests in maritime transport or navigation, even if they do not dominate global shipping.
The openness of Category C underscores the IMO’s commitment to inclusivity and balanced representation across all regions. However, the competition remains intense, as many of the countries seeking election do not possess significant global shipping influence but are determined to have a voice in shaping international maritime policies.
Take, for instance, the *Category A Council Seat*, which allows for *10 member countries*, yet the IMO Secretariat has received *11 applications* from major maritime powers. These include *China, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, Greece, the United States, Panama, and the Russian Federation*—the latter still entangled in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine, a situation allegedly fueled by geopolitical tensions with the EU and the US. The eleventh applicant is Liberia, representing the African continent, which is notable given that Category A is typically reserved for countries with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
A similar situation exists in Category B, where 11 countries are vying for the 10 available seats. The contenders include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France—a country facing economic challenges and diminishing influence over the resource-rich Sahel nations of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali—as well as Germany and India.
Other countries that have declared interest in the Category B, council seat are the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This over-subscription in both Categories A and B reflects the growing global interest in having a say in the governance of international maritime affairs, particularly as the IMO’s regulatory frameworks significantly impact global trade, maritime security, and environmental standards.
With preparations in full swing for the upcoming 34th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council Elections, under the leadership of Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, a total of 40 member states are expected to be elected across Categories A, B, and C in accordance with the IMO Convention.
However, due to the oversubscription of candidates in each category, eight countries will inevitably lose out. Specifically, one country each from the Category A and B applicants will have to step down, while six of the 26 countries contesting for the 20 Category C seats will be unsuccessful and leave the election venue without securing a seat.
*Nigeria, having lost its Category C seat to *Kenya in the 2023 biennium, has once again thrown its hat into the ring. This time, it seeks to reclaim its place on the Council, positioning itself as a strong contender to replace Kenya.
Kenya’s previous win was largely attributed to its compelling campaign centered on inclusivity, equity, and climate-resilient maritime development in an interconnected and environmentally vulnerable world.” The campaign resonated with many IMO member states across Asia, Europe, and Africa, as well as in North and South America, securing wide support.
Now, Nigeria’s renewed campaign is reportedly gaining traction, with diplomatic engagements and lobbying efforts already underway to secure votes and restore its presence in the IMO Council.
This is a strong indication that Adegboyega Oyetola, former Governor of Osun State and now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, along with the Inter-Ministerial Campaign Team for Nigeria’s IMO Council Bid, has done its homework effectively—successfully penetrating and engaging with a significant number of the over 175 IMO member state
Culled from Thevaluenews
