The proposed Nigerian Coast Guard Bill has ignited sharp divisions among stakeholders in the maritime industry, with heated debates about its relevance and potential impact.
While some argue it is a necessary step toward improved maritime governance, others claim it will lead to redundancy, operational conflicts, and a waste of resources.
At the heart of the debate is the bill’s aim to establish a dedicated Coast Guard to handle law enforcement, environmental protection, and search-and-rescue operations within Nigeria’s maritime environment.
Proponents see it as a solution to Nigeria’s pressing maritime challenges, but critics believe existing agencies like the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA already cover these responsibilities.
In a chat with our correspondent; Engr Bob Youssou, President of the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA), expressed skepticism about the need for a Coast Guard, describing it as “a duplication of existing functions.”
According to Youssou, the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA are already mandated to ensure maritime security, albeit with some inefficiencies. “What we need is not another agency but a commitment to equipping the Navy and NIMASA with modern vessels and surveillance tools. This country has a habit of abandoning equipment without maintenance,” he said.
Youssou also dismissed the claim that the Coast Guard would create opportunities for seafarers. “Even if the Coast Guard is established, it will likely be controlled by retired or serving Navy personnel, leaving little room for new opportunities. This will only fuel more bureaucracy rather than solve the problems in our waterways,” he added.
In contrast, Prof. Alfred Oniye, an anti-piracy security expert and Dean of Faculty at City University, Cambodia, supports the establishment of the Coast Guard. He argued that it would complement the Navy by focusing on civilian law enforcement, environmental protection, and search-and-rescue operations.
“The Navy’s primary mandate is national defence, which leaves a gap in civilian maritime oversight. A Coast Guard would specialize in handling piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling, which are critical issues Nigeria faces,” Oniye explained.
Oniye emphasized that the Navy’s military focus makes it ill-suited for civilian law enforcement tasks. “A Coast Guard would reduce the Navy’s dual burden of defense and law enforcement, enabling both entities to operate more effectively,” he said.
He also dismissed fears of duplication, citing international examples where Coast Guards and Navies operate harmoniously, such as in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Despite these assurances, retired Navy officials like Vice Admiral Dele Joseph Ezeoba and Rear Admiral Francis Akpan have strongly opposed the bill. They argue that the Coast Guard would overlap with the Navy’s functions and create jurisdictional conflicts.
“Rather than establish a new agency, resources should be directed toward enhancing the Navy’s capacity. The idea of a Coast Guard will only lead to anarchy in the maritime space,” Ezeoba warned.
The Nigerian government, led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has defended the bill, insisting it is a transformative initiative.
Speaking at the public hearing last week, Oyetola highlighted the Coast Guard’s potential to foster sustainable resource use, curb maritime crimes, and enhance safety. He pointed to global trends where dedicated Coast Guards operate successfully in countries with smaller coastlines than Nigeria.
However, Youssou countered these claims, stating that Nigeria’s governance inefficiencies make such comparisons irrelevant. “The Coast Guard is unnecessary if existing agencies are not optimized. What we lack is serious political will, not new institutions,” he remarked.
