Nigeria’s IMO Category C Drive: Real Gains or Mere Prestige?

Nigeria has launched an ambitious diplomatic campaign to secure a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C. The bid has attracted wide attention at home and abroad – but it also raises an important question: is this a meaningful step toward strengthening Nigeria’s maritime sector or simply a quest for prestige?

Winning the seat would certainly elevate Nigeria’s voice in global maritime governance – but without systemic improvements at home, the country risks falling short even with a win.

What Category C Represents

Category C seats are reserved for states that do not rank among the top maritime nations by tonnage or trade volume but have “special interests in maritime transport or navigation,” ensuring geographical balance on the Council.

Winning the seat would give Nigeria a stronger voice in shaping IMO regulations on safety, environment, and training – a chance to influence rules rather than simply adapt to them.

Nigeria has not held a Category C seat since 2005, despite multiple attempts. This latest push, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, is therefore highly symbolic. It also comes at a time when the global maritime agenda is evolving rapidly, with decarbonization, greenhouse gas emissions, biofouling, and labour rights dominating policy discussions.

Security Gains Are Not Enough

One of Nigeria’s strongest arguments is its significant improvement in maritime security. The Deep Blue Project, operated by NIMASA, has integrated air, land, and sea assets – including fast boats, helicopters, drones, and a C4i intelligence centre – to combat piracy. Deep Blue Project complements the super-amazing work of the Nigerian Navy via its Falcon Eye and its robust collaboration with other regional and international navies. The result has been striking: Nigeria has recorded zero piracy incidents in its waters for three consecutive years, contributing to a major drop in Gulf of Guinea piracy overall.

However, experts, including a former Director General of NIMASA, Barr. Temisan Omatseye, have warned that security is only the starting point. Maritime security is the bare minimum and Nigeria must show progress in port efficiency, ship repair capacity, regulatory enforcement, and training – otherwise the security gains will not translate into long-term competitiveness.

Ratification versus Implementation

Nigeria has ratified and domesticated several IMO conventions, and under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed instruments of accession for six key treaties covering pollution control, labour, and training standards. However, ratification is not enough; meaningful implementation is what counts at IMO.

Observers highlight persistent gaps: weak enforcement frameworks, limited regulatory oversight, and slow domestication of some conventions. These issues undermine Nigeria’s credibility as a country capable of influencing global standards while still struggling to meet them locally.

Infrastructure and Human Capital Challenges

Nigeria’s major ports remain plagued by congestion, outdated equipment, and inefficient logistics. Critical infrastructure such as port access roads and connecting rail systems require sustained upgrades. Ship repair yards and shipbuilding capacity are limited, and local fleet acquisition remains modest compared to regional peers.

Human capital is another weak spot. While Nigeria has ratified conventions on training and watch-keeping, implementation is inconsistent. Seafarers’ certification, safety oversight, and compliance monitoring need significant improvement to meet international standards. Despite the state-of-the-art facilities at Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron and other training institutions in the nation, Nigeria’s absence from the IMO White List means the nation hasn’t demonstrated full and complete compliance with the STCW Convention (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) and its Code. According to former NIMASA boss, Omatseye, getting Nigeria on the IMO White List and positioning cadets trained in-country to address the wider global seafaring needs – holds more gains for Nigeria than a seat on the IMO Governing Council at the moment.

Funding and Sustainability

The Deep Blue Project and other maritime initiatives are heavily reliant on government budgets and NIMASA levies. Without alternative funding mechanisms – such as blue bonds or private sector partnerships – sustaining these gains over the long term may be challenging.

Domestic shipping in Nigeria continues to suffer from unavailability of single digit interest loans. The Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) was created to alleviate this fiscal burden, but the CVFF is yet to be disbursed. When disbursed, veterans like the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Shipowners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapomo, have argued that the $750 million wouldn’t do much to address the industry’s fleet acquisition needs.

The Stakes and the Opportunity

Winning a Category C seat would offer Nigeria more than visibility. It could unlock access to technical assistance, capacity-building funds, and opportunities to shape policies that reflect African realities. It could also enhance investor confidence in Nigeria’s ports, logistics, and maritime services – provided domestic policies align with global standards.

However, critics warn against symbolic victories. As the President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association, Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN, observed: “This is just visibility and propaganda for Nigeria. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the country has done all it should to qualify for that Category C.”

Beyond the Vote

Nigeria’s challenge is clear: it must turn its IMO campaign into a catalyst for real reform. That means closing regulatory gaps, improving port infrastructure, upgrading training institutions, and aligning environmental and safety practices with international norms.

If Nigeria secures the seat but fails to deliver measurable progress at home, the victory may ring hollow. But if the campaign drives tangible reforms, Nigeria could position itself not just as a Council member – but as a credible voice for maritime development in Africa and beyond.

Facts on Nigeria’s IMO Category C bid

While securing IMO Category C means getting voting power on IMO policies on safety, security, environment, training, and labour; let’s take a peek into the major gaps Nigeria needs to fix as well as the potential benefits of winning.

Major Gaps to Address:

• Port Efficiency: Congestion, poor access roads, slow clearance times.
• Infrastructure: Limited ship repair yards and fleet acquisition capacity.
• Human Capital: Inconsistent seafarer training and certification standards.
• Regulation: Weak enforcement and domestication of some conventions.

Potential Benefits of Winning:

• Greater influence over global maritime rules.
• Access to technical assistance and capacity-building funding.
• Boost to investor confidence in ports and maritime logistics.
• Chance to position Nigeria as a West African maritime hub.