The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has deposited three Instruments of Accession to International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, signed by President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, at the IMO headquarters in London.
This move, announced shortly after Nigeria declared its intention to contest a seat on the IMO council, is expected to enhance the nation’s maritime governance. It aligns Nigeria’s maritime practices with global standards, boosting maritime safety, security and environmental protection.
Following the ceremony, Oyetola reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to aligning Nigeria with international maritime protocols. He also appealed for technical assistance from the IMO to enhance the country’s capacity to implement the conventions.
“These instruments, acceded to by His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, symbolise Nigeria’s dedication to maritime safety, security, and sustainable marine practices,” Oyetola stated. “We request tailored technical cooperation under the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) to improve compliance and governance in line with the conventions submitted today.”
IMO Secretary-general, Arsenio Dominguez commended Nigeria’s efforts, describing the deposit as evidence of the country’s commitment to global maritime standards.
“I congratulate Nigeria on acceding to these six critical IMO instruments. I encourage sustained momentum toward ratifying additional conventions. The IMO remains committed to supporting Nigeria through technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to ensure successful implementation,” Dominguez said.
The deposited instruments include:
1. The 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf (SUA Protocol 2005)
2. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F)
3. The Protocol relating to intervention on the high seas in cases of pollution by substances other than oil (Intervention Protocol 1973).
