Headlines

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.

Headlines

Mobereola, NIMASA DG, reflects on year 2025 with satisfaction, says 2026 holds promising opportunities for maritime industry

Funso OLOJO

The Director -General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has expressed his satisfaction over the achievements recorded in the maritime industry in the outgoing year of 2025, while looking forward to a promising 2026 with hope.

In his Christmas message to the stakeholders in the maritime industry, Dr Mobereola noted that the 2026 ended well with the election of Nigeria into the category C of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) after 14 years of failed attempts as well as zero occurrence of piracy attacks on Nigeria’ waters.

“The year 2025 has been a good one for our industry as once again, we have not recorded a single piracy attack in our waters in a whole calendar year, Nigeria was also able to deposit three Instruments of Accession to IMO Conventions that were signed by President Bola Tinubu ,we have been able to maintain industrial harmony in the sector all of which culminated to Nigeria’s election into the category C Council of the International Maritime Organization.

“We couldn’t have done this without our stakeholders who have contributed in various ways in the course of their operations during the year. We see you, we thank you and we felicitate with your during this yuletide season”Mobereola observed.

He however assured that the Agency will re-double efforts in ensuring that 2026 is even better for every stakeholder.

While calling on industry operators to brace up for the new year with hope of better times, Dr. Mobereola noted that “at NIMASA, we appreciate the weight of our renewed responsibility by virtue of Nigeria’s membership of the IMO Council because to whom much is given, much is definitely expected.

” You can therefore be sure of an increased momentum in our resolve to sustain maritime safety, security, environmental protection and adherence to relevant conventions and protocols with renewed vigour.”

The DG concluded by acknowledging the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, industry stakeholders, management and staff of NIMASA as well as all Nigerians and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Headlines

FG trains 75 boat operators on safe inland waterway navigation

Funso OLOJO

The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has concluded a three-day Boat Navigation and Safety Training for 75 boat drivers and skippers, as part of efforts to improve safety and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The training, which ran from Monday, 22, December, 2025 to Wednesday, 24 December, 2025 focused on equipping participants with the practical knowledge and operational competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.

Participants were drawn from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).

Boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states took part in the programme.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the training as a significant intervention aimed at reducing accidents on inland waterways.

He noted that many previous boat mishaps were caused by limited technical knowledge and insufficient experience among operators, adding that sustained capacity-building would help address the challenge.

Clement also highlighted ongoing safety measures being implemented by NIWA, including the removal of wrecks to improve navigation and continuous sensitisation of boat operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.

According to him, NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns, moving from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe practices, while encouraging boat owners to release more skippers and captains for structured training programmes.

“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training for boat skippers.

“Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and over the past three days, they have learned a great deal,” Clement said.

“This year alone, NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties.

“We are encouraging operators to make more of their captains and skippers available for this kind of training.

” I believe that by this time next year, we will have even more reasons to celebrate improved safety on our waterways,” he added.

Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents.

She explained that the training was structured to ensure boat operators are properly equipped with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required to operate safely and efficiently.

Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.

Assessing the programme, she rated it about 90 per cent successful, noting that it combined classroom sessions with practical exercises on the water.

“We did not limit the training to classroom lectures. Participants were taken out for practical sessions at the jetty, which made the programme very effective. It was an all-inclusive training, not just theory,” she said.

She assured that the initiative would be sustained, stressing that continuous capacity enhancement remains critical to saving lives and improving professionalism on inland waterways.

Participants expressed satisfaction with the training, describing it as timely and impactful.

A Lagos-based boat operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the programme had strengthened participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations.

“With this training, we now know how to handle distress situations on the waterways because of the knowledge given to us. On behalf of the Lagos State participants, we appreciate the Minister and NIWA management for this opportunity,” he said.

Another participant from Ondo State, Biobaku John, said the training exposed him to critical safety and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.

“I gained important safety and firefighting skills during these three days. As a boat driver, I learned a lot and I am proud to have participated,” he said.

Similarly, the leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.

“For the past three days, we learned extensively about safety, first aid, how to raise alarms, call for rescue teams and even engine maintenance. The training was very educative,” he said.

The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA, in line with recommendations from investigation reports under the tenure of former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to improve safety standards, professionalism and confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.

Headlines

FG approves 50 percent price slash on Yuletide train services

— as passengers flood train terminal

Funso OLOJO

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commenced 50 percent price discount on Yuletide train services across the country which was approved by the Federal Government to ease traveling during this festive session.

The 50 percent slash in the prices of train services runs between Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 to Sunday, January 4th, 2026.

According to the statement from the NRC, the commencement of the price reduction attracted huge turn out of passengers who thronged major railway corridors across the country to take advantage of the offer.

At major stations along the Lagos–Ibadan, and Abuja–Kaduna, as well as key narrow gauge routes, passengers turned out in large numbers, with several train departures operating at near full capacity as early bookings reflected strong public response to the 50% discount initiative.

The festive rail service, being implemented by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, runs from Tuesday, 23 December 2025 to Sunday, 4 January 2025, during which passengers enjoy a 50 percent discount on train fares nationwide to ease the cost of festive travel.

Many passengers who interacted with NRC officials expressed appreciation for the 50 percent discounted fares, describing the initiative as timely, thoughtful, and economically relieving, especially for families and group travellers journeying to reunite with loved ones during the Yuletide season.

According to the NRC , the 50 percent Yuletide Train Ride is a people-oriented intervention under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at reducing transportation costs, promoting inclusive mobility, and encouraging the use of rail transport as a safe and reliable alternative during peak travel periods.

Speaking on the commencement of the discounted festive operations, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, assured passengers of the Corporation’s preparedness to sustain safe, efficient, and customer-focused services throughout the Yuletide period.

The Corporation confirmed that both standard gauge and narrow gauge services are fully operational, with enhanced security, safety, and customer service arrangements in place across stations and onboard trains to manage increased passenger traffic resulting from the 50% discount offer.

Passengers travelling on standard gauge routes are advised to continue using NRC-approved online booking platforms, while passengers on narrow gauge services can purchase their tickets directly at designated railway stations.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation reiterates its commitment to seamless festive operations and urges passengers to cooperate with railway officials and comply with all travel guidelines to ensure smooth journeys throughout the 50% discount Yuletide Train Ride period.