Nigeria has formally resumed its seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council after a 14-year absence, with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, leading the country’s delegation to the 137th session of the Council, which opened in London on Monday.
The meeting marks Nigeria’s second participation in the meeting of the IMO’s executive body since its election to the 40-member Council in November 2025, restoring the country’s voice in shaping global maritime policy after more than a decade outside the organisation’s governing council.
Maritime security dominated proceedings as IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned of mounting threats to international shipping, citing continued instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a resurgence of piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the urgent need to safeguard critical global shipping lanes.
Opening the five-day session, Dominguez said recent developments had highlighted the growing risks confronting the maritime industry. “Seafarers have tragically lost their lives in connection with this conflict, and the impact has been felt well beyond the region, with real consequences for global trade, energy and food security,” he said, referring to the recent conflict around the Strait of Hormuz.
While expressing optimism that tensions in the region are beginning to ease, he said he hoped affected crews would soon be brought to safety and commercial shipping could return to normal operations. He added that Council members would receive a more detailed briefing later in the week under a dedicated agenda item on the protection of vital shipping lanes.
Dominguez also raised fresh concerns over the resurgence of piracy off the coasts of Somalia and Yemen. “In the past three months we have seen 24 incidents of piracy and attempted piracy in that region,” he said. He renewed his appeal for the release of 44 seafarers being held aboard the hijacked vessels MT Honour 25, Eureka and Sward.
“Their situation remains dire and I ask for your support in securing their safe release,” he told delegates. “These incidents are a stark reminder that the threat posed by piracy and armed robbery to seafarers has not receded and continues to warrant vigilance and support for coordinated action.” The IMO Secretary-General also disclosed that the Palau-flagged bulk carrier Lady Naeima was attacked by pirates in the Red Sea on Sunday.
The vessel continued its voyage and all crew members were reported safe. The latest attack follows warnings from the Joint Maritime Information Center that hostile small-craft activity remains elevated across the Gulf of Aden despite the south-west monsoon, with pirate groups retaining the capability to launch aggressive attacks against merchant vessels.