Adalikwu Leads Regional Diplomatic Push as Nigeria Eyes Return to IMO Council

By Sola Adetona

Nigeria’s quest to reclaim a seat on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council has entered a critical phase, with Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), spearheading a regional diplomatic campaign to consolidate support.

In a formal communication to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Adalikwu announced that MOWCA’s Bureau of Ministers had unanimously endorsed Nigeria’s bid for a Category C seat. The endorsement, reached at the 10th session of the Bureau on July 10, signals strong regional confidence in Nigeria’s maritime leadership.

Adalikwu hasn’t stopped at formal backing. Over the past few weeks, he has engaged in behind-the-scenes diplomacy with key stakeholders across Central Africa. His recent meetings with top transport officials from the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo resulted in direct pledges of support further strengthening Nigeria’s chances ahead of the IMO Council elections scheduled for November–December 2025.

The diplomatic groundwork began earlier in June, when Adalikwu used the platform of a ferry safety conference in Lagos to announce efforts to mobilize MOWCA’s 25-member bloc behind Nigeria’s candidacy. With that strategy gaining traction, Nigeria is positioning itself not just as a contender, but as a regional consensus candidate.

Nigeria’s campaign is rooted in a pledge to promote inclusive, climate-resilient maritime governance at a time when the global shipping sector is undergoing regulatory and environmental transformation. The country is hoping to bring developing-world perspectives to the Council, particularly on issues such as equitable trade access, port safety, and marine environmental protection.

As one of Africa’s most influential maritime nations, Nigeria’s return to the IMO Council would mark a significant step in reasserting the region’s voice in global shipping affairs. With bloc politics likely to influence voting outcomes, Adalikwu’s regional tour may prove decisive in November’s elections.