The Federal Government has commended the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and other key maritime stakeholders for their roles in securing Nigeria’s election into Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026–2027 biennium.
Nigeria clinched the coveted seat at the IMO Council elections held on 28 November 2025 in London, marking a major boost to the country’s maritime diplomacy and global standing in international shipping governance.
The commendation was conveyed through letters issued to nine members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee that coordinated Nigeria’s campaign. The letters, dated 28 January 2026, were signed by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who praised the recipients for their professionalism, commitment and strategic coordination throughout the election process.
Among those commended were the committee’s Chairman, Olufemi Oloruntola, former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA; and Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Others include Babatunde Bombata, former Director of the Maritime Safety and Security Department of the Ministry; Ambassador Obinna Chiedu Onowu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; former NIMASA Director-General, Dr Ade Dosunmu; the Minister’s Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola; Dr Paschal Ogar, who served as Secretary to the committee; and Mr William Balla, Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO.
In the letters, Dr Oyetola acknowledged the strategic leadership provided by the committee, noting that their effective coordination and sustained engagement with IMO Member States were central to Nigeria’s success at the polls.
“Your strategic engagement with IMO Member States and effective campaign management were pivotal to Nigeria’s resounding success at the election, showcasing your steadfast dedication and unrelenting commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime interests,” the Minister stated.
He added that the efforts of the NIMASA DG, NPA MD and other committee members were instrumental in projecting Nigeria’s maritime reforms, institutional capacity and growth potential on the global stage, thereby strengthening the country’s influence within the international maritime community.
According to a statement issued by
Dr. Bolaji Akinola
Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Oyetola further noted that the achievement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of the IMO and to enhanced international maritime cooperation.
He expressed confidence in the continued dedication of the stakeholders to advancing Nigeria’s maritime ambitions and protecting the nation’s interests in global maritime governance.
. Commends NIMASA DG, NPA MD, Others Over Nigeria’s Election Into IMO Council
The Federal Government has commended the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and other key maritime stakeholders for their roles in securing Nigeria’s election into Category C of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2026–2027 biennium.
Nigeria clinched the coveted seat at the IMO Council elections held on 28 November 2025 in London, marking a major boost to the country’s maritime diplomacy and global standing in international shipping governance.
The commendation was conveyed through letters issued to nine members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee that coordinated Nigeria’s campaign. The letters, dated 28 January 2026, were signed by the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, who praised the recipients for their professionalism, commitment and strategic coordination throughout the election process.
Among those commended were the committee’s Chairman, Olufemi Oloruntola, former Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy; Dr Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of NIMASA; and Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Others include Babatunde Bombata, former Director of the Maritime Safety and Security Department of the Ministry; Ambassador Obinna Chiedu Onowu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; former NIMASA Director-General, Dr Ade Dosunmu; the Minister’s Special Adviser, Dr Bolaji Akinola; Dr Paschal Ogar, who served as Secretary to the committee; and Mr William Balla, Nigeria’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the IMO.
In the letters, Dr Oyetola acknowledged the strategic leadership provided by the committee, noting that their effective coordination and sustained engagement with IMO Member States were central to Nigeria’s success at the polls.
“Your strategic engagement with IMO Member States and effective campaign management were pivotal to Nigeria’s resounding success at the election, showcasing your steadfast dedication and unrelenting commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime interests,” the Minister stated.
He added that the efforts of the NIMASA DG, NPA MD and other committee members were instrumental in projecting Nigeria’s maritime reforms, institutional capacity and growth potential on the global stage, thereby strengthening the country’s influence within the international maritime community.
According to a statement issued by
Dr. Bolaji Akinola
Special Adviser to the Minister, Dr Oyetola further noted that the achievement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the objectives of the IMO and to enhanced international maritime cooperation.
He expressed confidence in the continued dedication of the stakeholders to advancing Nigeria’s maritime ambitions and protecting the nation’s interests in global maritime governance.
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