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Stakeholders raise alarm over looming defeat of Nigeria at 2025 IMO Council elections

Adegboyega Oyetola,Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

—list disturbing telltale signs

The Eyewitness Reporter

Concerned stakeholders in the maritime industry, who are well versed in global maritime matters, have expressed fears of the possible loss of Nigeria in the 2025 International Maritime Organization (IMO) council elections.

It could be recalled that Nigeria has been a serial loser in the IMO category C election which it won last in 2007.

Since then up till 2023 when the country participated in the biennial elections, it had been a string of defeats and near-misses.

The incumbent Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, did not allow Nigeria to participate in the 2023 election, saying this was to gain enough time and muscle for the country to prepare well for the 2025 election.However, concerned maritime industry players said they have not seen much of these so-called preparations to end the 15 years of unbroken losses at the IMO council elections.

According to them, there are tell-tell signs that signpost another possible defeat.

A Marine Engineer, who pleaded for anonymity for fear of reprisal attacks, said Nigeria has what it takes to comfortably win and even retain a permanent seat in Category C of the IMO council, given the country’s vast maritime potential.

He however lamented that the country’s undoing has been a lack of human capacity and leadership quality to harness and drive these potentials.”Sometimes in 2023, the immediate past Secretary General of the IMO, Kitack Lim, came to Nigeria and marveled at the huge maritime potentials in the country.

“He said there was no reason Nigeria should be struggling to hold a seat in the IMO council given what he saw.
” He was impressed with the vast investments at our Ports, the numbers and size of our ports and the technological development in our oil and gas sector which he said was massive.
“He expressed surprise that other African countries like Kenya with lesser Maritime endowments and infrastructures, should be in the IMO council and Nigeria should still be struggling for the past 15 years for the same position” the maritime expert revealed.

However, he said that lack of the right leadership to drive these potentials has been rubbing the country of this coveted seat and will continue to elude the country if the negative narrative does not change.”Nigeria has the largest coastline in Africa. The government has invested huge resources into maritime infrastructures so much so that we provide leadership for other African countries in the maritime industry.

” Deep Blue project cost a fortune and has changed the narrative in the national and regional maritime security architecture.
” We recently acquired seven ballistic boats and four search and rescue boats. Our navigational and communication equipment at Maritime Resource Development Center covers our entire space to provide security.
” Yet, we are still struggling to get a seat on the IMO council, 15 years after.

“This is because Nigeria has an uncanny propensity for putting square pegs in round holes” he declared.The Marine engineer, who has spent over three decades in active capacity in the maritime industry, said the sad tradition of making weak appointments into critical positions in the industry which he said has rubbed Nigeria of IMO council seat over the years has continued under the present government.

“We were all elated when Tinubu government created a special ministry to oversee the maritime industry: the Marine and Blue economy.

” We felt that this will rejuvenate the industry and drive the huge potentials Nigeria has in the maritime and harness them to our advantage in the global maritime space.
“But our enthusiasm and joy soon gave way to despairs and disappointment when appointments were made to the critical positions in the agencies in the industry”

The concerned stakeholder said that the appointments made so far at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the two critical agencies whose operations and activities impact Nigeria’s standing in global maritime space, are nothing to write home about.”These appointments are in tandem with the tradition of making wrong choices for critical appointments which have so far spelt doom for our relevance in the international maritime industry.

” These fresh appointments are telltale signs of Nigeria’s impending defeat at the 2025 IMO council elections,” the maritime expert noted.

It could be recalled that President Tinubu, in January 2024, made new appointments to the governing boards of the NPA and NIMASA while he also appointed a new NIMASA DG in March 2024.

However, the maritime expert faulted the appointment of the new NIMASA DG, Dr  Dayo Mobereola whom he described as highly cerebral with impressive credentials but lacks cognate experience or capacity in the maritime industry.

” Mobereola is well-read with sparkling credentials but he lacks what it takes to drive and harness the huge maritime potentials for Nigeria to make an impact on the global stage, at least in a short while.
“We can no longer afford to bring in anyone who will come and learn on the job. We need professionals such as master mariners, and marine engineers, who would come and leverage the groundwork made by the immediate past DG, Bashir Jamoh.
“Jamoh has spent over two decades in the industry, rising through the ranks in NIMASA, which made him to have an impact.
“What qualifications does Mobereola have?
“Degrees and experience in land transport,  are not relevant to the maritime transport that is more technical and engaging.

“He would have been an ideal candidate if we have the luxury of time to wait for him to learn on the job” the maritime analyst noted.” In the same NIMASA, the newly appointed Executive Director, Operations, Fatai Adeyemi, is another greenhorn who needs to learn on the job.

”Yet he was given a critical position as ED, Operations.

“The same goes for the new Executive Director, Marine Labour and Cabotage, Jubril Abbas, who is from the banking sector.

“In NPA, the newly appointed Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus, is another learner on the job who also holds a critical position that needs expertise and depth.

” Yet these are the same people the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy ,Adegboyega Oyetola, who himself is new on the job, will have to rely on to drive the maritime industry and win the elusive IMO council elections.

The respondent said he was worried because there is not much time to start to learn and experiment on the job when the IMO council is next year.”If Jamoh, with all his many years of experience at NIMASA and maritime industry backed by Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation who garnered eight solid years in the industry, failed to deliver the seat to Nigeria in 2021, it would be a sheer miracle for Mobereola, who will be barely one year in the saddle at the next IMO council elections, backed by the minister, who is also learning the rope, could deliver the IMO council seat” he noted.

According to him, the only bright spot in the gloomy picture is Mohammed Bello-Koko, the NPA MD, whom he said has garnered an appreciable level of knowledge and experience in the industry.
 Bello Koko’s experience came from his longer stay at the NPA for eight years now, first as the ED, Finance and Administration before he transmuted into the Chief Executive of the agency.
In 2016, Mohammed Bello Koko was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as Executive Director Finance and Administration of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), a role he held till May 2021, when he was appointed Acting Managing Director16 Feb 2024 before his eventual confirmation as the substantive MD.

” That is exactly what am saying.

”The experience on the job is key especially now that Nigeria is desperate to break the jinx of IMO Council elections’ string of defeat” the Marine engineer declared.

The next council elections are expected to hold around November- December 2025.The current Council Members were elected at the IMO Assembly (27 November-6 December 2023) for the 2024-2025 biennium:

The Assembly, at its thirty-fourth session in 2025 will elect 40 Members of the Council for the 2026- 2027 session as provided for in Articles 16 and 17 of the IMO Convention.

The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

The Council is made up of 40 Member States, elected by the Assembly for two-year terms.

The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the Organization.

Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to Governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention.

The Assembly of the International Maritime Organization elected the following States to be Members of the Council for the  current 2024-2025 biennium:

Category (a): 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.
These include
China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States

Category (b): 10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade: These include

Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates

Category (c): 20 States not elected under (a) or (b) above, which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world:
These include
Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Türkiye.

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Headlines

May Day: Mobereola salutes maritime workers for passion, dedication to building virile industry 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 

The Director – General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has saluted the courage , passion and dedication of maritime workers to building strong and virile industry.
In his message at the Workers’ day on May 1st, 2026, the NIMASA DG extolled the virtues of workers and acknowledged the distinguished service of various stakeholders whose efforts he noted continue to significantly contribute to the development of the Nigerian maritime industry.
Dr. Mobereola, while wishing stakeholders a Happy Workers’ Day said “to all the amazing officers and stakeholders in the maritime sector who bring their passion and expertise to work daily.

“Thank you for your dedication and invaluable contributions”.

He emphasized that as a regulator, the Agency remains committed to its oversight function of regulating maritime labour activities in the industry in line with extant instruments and the expectations of the theme of the 2026 Workers’ Day, which focuses on safety, dignity and productivity.

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Customs

Kaila, Seme Customs CAC, seeks collaboration with stakeholders to achieve seemless trade along border corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor
The new Area Controller of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, has  reached out to traditional rulers and  sister agencies at the border communities to ensure the achievement of his mandate of detection, determent of smuggling, revenue generation and trade facilitation along the border corridor.
To achieve these objectives, Comptroller Kaila went on tour of the communities within the border corridor where he met and sought for the support and cooperation of major critical stakeholders, including the traditional rulers and sister agencies.
According to him, his objective was to eradicate trade hindrances affecting free movement of goods and services along the Lagos-Abidjan business corridor.
Speaking at the Palace of Oba Akran of Badagry Kingdom, the Customs Area Controller condoled with the royal family and entire people of Badagry kingdom on the passing away of HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I who was a well recognized traditional ruler across the border communities.
“”The purpose of my visit is to introduce myself as the Area Controller of Seme Command and to equally seek your royal blessing and support to achieve the core mandate of the service.
“Our priority remains to generate revenue, facilitate trade, and suppress smuggling.
“And we in the Customs believe that without due support and co-operation from traditional rulers, we can not have effective performance of our functions as Customs officers” he said
 The King Regent, Chief Abel Ogunbiyi, who described Kaila as the son of the soil, added that “We have listened to your request.
” Know that Badagry is a very peaceful town, and we will keep collaborating with you in safeguarding our borders and in promoting legitimate trade, ” he stated.
Comptroller Kaila also visited the Onibereko of Ibereko Awori-Kingdom, where the monarch, Oba Israel Okoya, signifies his commitment to fostering the service relationship with residents living within the border  communities
“I welcome you to Badagry and be rest assured that I will always talk to my people whenever the need is required.
” In our town, our youth does not engage in illegalities as I have no other choice than to assist you in achieving the government mandate, ” he mentioned
While at the Palace of Alapa of Apa Kingdom, the king HRM Oba Oyekan Ajose Ilufemiloye commended and described the CAC, Comptroller Kaila as a professional, seasoned and well respected officer as described by indigenes of border communities.
“I promise you that I will always assist you in my area for anything that you need.
“Our border here has been peaceful because our youth always listen to the elders, and I know with your presence here, things will change for the better, ” he said
In his efforts to consolidate on existing synergy between sister security agencies, Kaila also visited Headquarters of 653 Nigerian Air force base, Ahanve-Badagry.
The  Commanding Officer, Group Captain Hungruy  Medugu,expressed the  readiness of the formation to always support the command in achieving its mandate.
“Our collaboration has been key to various successes we have recorded in our area of responsibility.
” Your presence here strengthens existing bonds of inter-agency collaboration between both Services, and we will not take it for granted ,” he said
The Area Controller then ended his familirisation tour with seeking for mutual cooperation with a visit to the Republic of Benin Police office, showing his readiness to eradicate hindrances affecting the free movement of goods and services across the border.
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Headlines

Opeifa decries encroachment on NRC properties across the country 

— praises collaboration with Abia, Enugu govts.
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated his displeasure over the widespread practice of encroachment on the properties of the Nigerian Railways Corporation across the country, warning that such action would not be tolerated by his administration.
Opeifa was speaking during the separate meetings he recently had with the governments of both Abia and Enugu states.
Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, the NRC boss quickly condemned the occupation of the Corporation’s right- of – way by squatters in Umuahia, while correcting the wrongly- held belief that the Railway is defunct.
Opeifa however applauded the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation and the governments of both Abia and Enugu.
According to him, such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people.
During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC’s right-of-way within Umuahia.
 He reiterated unequivocally that no one is permitted to build any structure on railway property without obtaining express approval from his office.
Appealing directly to the public, he urged for greater patience, stressing that the plans for the critical track extension from Aba, through Umuahia to Enugu and beyond, remain very much on course.
Responding on behalf of the Abia State Government, Mr. Kingsley Agomoh stated that the State Government is actively engaging all stakeholders by providing alternative, seamless locations for those currently conducting business on the railway right-of-way.
 He further revealed that the state government has already finalized plans to plant trees along the route, creating a leisurely and aesthetically conducive environment for relaxation, replacing previous commercial activities.
The high-powered team then embarked on an extensive inspection of the alternative relocation site for displaced persons; the demolition site where iron barrier installation is progressing; the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal; the site for the new Umuahia Railway Station; and the route for the proposed link road passing through the existing railway station.
The meeting also explored the provision of a temporary location for the Railway Police and the PTO, pending the construction of the new Umuahia Station, which is designed to include a police station and other NRC offices.
The same impactful message was delivered to Enugu State, where the Commissioner of Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozoh (representing the State Government), equally assured the NRC MD of the Enugu State Government’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with the Corporation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Describing Dr. Opeifa as a personal friend from their private sector days, Dr. Ozoh lauded him as a leader who “knows perfectly well what he is doing.”
He further assured the NRC that the Enugu State Government will actively assist in demolishing any obstruction on the Corporation’s right-of-way, stressing that the state eagerly awaits the flag-off to recommence construction of the rail line from Aba to Enugu and beyond.
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