President Tinubu signs six IMO instruments of accession, Oyetola inaugurates committee on category ‘C’ election as Mobereola presents instruments
By Edu Abade
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the instruments of accession for six conventions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), thereby paving the way for Nigeria to submit the instruments at the IMO headquarters, which serves as the repository for such conventions.
The move is expected to enhance Nigeria’s maritime governance and align its practices with international standards, promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
The six instruments are the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol of 2005 to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms on the Continental Shelf, the Instrument of Accession of the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification, and Watch-keeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel 1995 and the Instrument of Accession of the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in cases of Pollution by Substances other than Oil 1973 as Amended (Intervention Protocol).
Others are the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol of 1996 to Amend the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) 1976; the Instrument of Accession to the Protocol to the 1974 Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and Their Luggage by Sea 2002 and the Instrument of Accession to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships 2009.
While formally presenting the instruments to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, expressed gratitude to the minister for facilitating the signing of the IMO conventions by the President after several years of being pending in the Ministry.
In his words: “The six instruments have been lying within the ministry in the last six to eight years, but thanks to the efforts of the towards ensuring that the President signs them. This is a landmark achievement for Nigeria, as the IMO will soon update our records to recognize these instruments.”
On his part, Oyetola reassured stakeholders of the President’s commitment to developing the Nigerian maritime industry in line with global best practices.
“By signing the instruments of accession, the President has reaffirmed this administration’s determination to take its rightful position among the comity of maritime nations. This development will undoubtedly further reassure member states and stakeholders of Nigeria’s resolve and determination to be a leading member of the decision-making body of the IMO. Depositing the six instruments of ratification will be done by the ministry and NIMASA.
Meanwhile, Oyetola has canvassed a comprehensive action in Nigeria’s bid to be elected into Category C of the IMO Council, as he inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to promote the campaign.
Oyetola, who spoke during the inauguration at the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Abuja, said the campaign must be all-inclusive considering the diplomatic and operational strategies involved in soliciting votes to achieve good results.
A statement by Head, Public Relations, NIMASA, Osagie Edward, explained that having lost out three times between 2011 and 2019 after its successful stints in 1975, 2001 and 2005, Nigeria stands due to return to the Council to cement its relevance as a strategic maritime domain and a strong voice in West Africa.
“The need for Nigeria’s return to Council is imperative given our strategic location and significance as a hub of Maritime activities and as a voice for the sub-region on the IMO Council, where crucial decisions regarding international maritime shipping and trade are made,” Mobereola said.
He added that membership in the Council comes with such benefits as “technical assistance, manpower and institutional development, as well as political influence in the maritime sector of the global economy.”
The inter-ministerial committee for Nigeria’s election into the IMO Executive Council at the 34th Regular Session in 2025 comprises high-level officials led by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola. The committee is tasked with identifying activities and actions that would promote Nigeria’s standing in the IMO community by articulating and showcasing the country’s maritime achievements.
Members of the committee include the Director of Maritime Security and Safety from the FMMBE and the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), who will serve as alternate chairpersons.
Other members are the Directors of Legal Services and Maritime Services from the FMMBE, the Director of International Organisations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority, and the Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.
Others are the former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ade Dosunmu as stakeholder; representative of the Office of the Minister of FMMBE, Dr. Charles Akinola and Assistant Director, Maritime Pollution Control at the ministry, Mr. Paschal Ogah, who will serve as Secretary to the Committee.
