The Provisional Committee for the Establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has commended the Senate for advancing the Nigeria Coast Guard Establishment Bill, describing the development as a significant step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s marine environment and unlocking the full potential of the nation’s blue economy.
In a statement issued on Friday by the committee’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the committee, Capt. Noah Ichaba, praised the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for presenting its report on the bill, saying the legislative progress marks a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance.
According to the committee, the bill has successfully passed key legislative stages and now awaits final passage by the Senate. Although lawmakers deferred consideration of the committee’s report to allow further consultations on the proposed Coast Guard’s roles, funding and relationship with the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police, the committee said the move demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to creating a robust legal framework that clearly defines institutional responsibilities.
The PC-NCG, however, urged the National Assembly to conclude the legislative process without delay, stressing that establishing a dedicated Coast Guard is essential not only for maritime security but also for protecting Nigeria’s fragile marine ecosystems from environmental degradation.
The committee noted that while the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act 2019 provides the legal framework to tackle piracy, Nigeria still lacks a specialised civilian agency dedicated to enforcing maritime laws, protecting coastal resources and responding to environmental threats at sea.
It explained that the proposed Nigeria Coast Guard would undertake critical responsibilities, including search and rescue operations, fisheries enforcement, marine environmental protection and pollution response. These functions, it said, are vital to preserving marine biodiversity, combating illegal fishing, preventing coastal pollution and ensuring the sustainable use of Nigeria’s vast ocean resources.
The committee added that the agency would also handle other non-military maritime law enforcement duties, enabling the Nigerian Navy to concentrate on its constitutional responsibility of defending the nation against external threats.
According to the committee, the legislation would strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve maritime safety and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat illegal fishing, marine pollution and transnational maritime crimes that continue to threaten both the environment and the economy.
It further stated that a secure and environmentally sustainable maritime domain is fundamental to the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy, as healthier oceans and protected coastal ecosystems would encourage investment, support sustainable fisheries, boost tourism and create long-term economic opportunities for coastal communities.
The committee recalled that it had written to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers in July 2023, advocating the passage of the bill. It noted that the bill, sponsored by Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, passed second reading on October 15, 2024, before being referred to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
According to the committee, the proposed legislation also received broad support from stakeholders during its public hearing before the committee submitted its report to the Senate.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the legislative process, the PC-NCG said the establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard would not only strengthen maritime security but also reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability, marine conservation and the responsible management of its blue economy resources for future generations.
The committee’s reaction followed the Senate’s deliberation on the bill on Thursday and its subsequent referral to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport for further legislative consideration.
