MOWCA Explains Push for Nigeria’s Return to IMO Council.
MOWCA Explains Push for Nigeria’s Return to IMO Council.
Lucky Akra
The Secretary-General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has explained why the regional body mounted an intensive campaign for Nigeria’s return to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
In a statement issued after Nigeria’s victory in Friday’s IMO Council election, Adalikwu congratulated President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, noting that the win ended a 14-year absence that had weakened West and Central Africa’s representation in the global maritime arena.
Adalikwu said Nigeria’s significant maritime trade volume and its strategic role in Gulf of Guinea security made its presence on the IMO Council crucial not only for the country but for the entire region. He added that the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Tinubu underscored the government’s renewed commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime profile.
According to him, MOWCA rallied support because it considers Nigeria a capable voice for other maritime nations in the sub-region, citing the country’s expanding multimodal transport infrastructure—such as rail links to the Abuja airport and Lagos’ Apapa Port, as well as dry ports in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina.
Adalikwu disclosed that MOWCA engaged member states and international partners across several continents to secure backing for Nigeria. He said the organisation received firm assurances that Nigeria would record a stronger showing than in its previous seven unsuccessful attempts.
He described Nigeria’s victory as a collective win for all MOWCA countries, as it restores stronger regional representation in the IMO’s executive organ, which oversees the organisation’s work programme, budget and policy direction between Assembly sessions.
Highlighting the benefits of council membership, Adalikwu said Nigeria will now participate directly in shaping global shipping regulations, defending regional interests, placing national experts in key committees, and protecting shipping fleets and registries from unfavourable rules. He added that council membership also guarantees access to IMO technical assistance, training programmes and funding opportunities, while enhancing Nigeria’s international maritime diplomacy.
The seat, he noted, provides early access to regulatory proposals and maritime intelligence—an advantage that will help Nigeria and other MOWCA countries prepare ahead of global policy changes.
Adalikwu thanked all MOWCA member states and acknowledged the governments of Indonesia and Singapore for supporting the campaign. He also congratulated Liberia, another MOWCA member, on securing a Category A seat on the IMO Council.
