The Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has renewed its call for a dedicated Coast Guard to strengthen maritime security and economic protection.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PC-NCG Chief Executive Officer, Capt. Noah Ichaba, described the Coast Guard as the missing link in Nigeria’s maritime governance structure.
He said a Coast Guard would unify maritime safety, security, enforcement and economic protection under a coordinated operational framework.
According to Ichaba, the agency would support anti-smuggling operations, curb illegal fishing, enhance vessel inspections and improve compliance enforcement.
He added that a centralized Coast Guard would boost rapid response to piracy, oil theft, sea robbery and kidnapping on Nigeria’s waterways
The PC-NCG boss noted that fragmented responsibilities among multiple agencies have created operational gaps and weakened maritime enforcement.
He said Nigeria’s 850-kilometre coastline, major seaports and offshore energy assets require a dedicated institution to coordinate maritime operations.
Ichaba stressed that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s international trade moves through its maritime domain, making effective governance essential.
He noted that coastal communities, fishermen, port operators and shipping firms continue to bear the costs of insecurity, delays and environmental threats.
According to him, a Coast Guard would integrate search and rescue, pollution control, fisheries monitoring, port security and marine law enforcement.
The committee maintained that establishing the agency would strengthen national sovereignty and improve efficiency across the blue economy sector.
PC-NCG reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Assembly and key maritime stakeholders to develop a legal framework for the proposed agency.
Ichaba said Nigeria cannot fully unlock opportunities in blue trade, investment and employment without a unified maritime security architecture.
“The ocean is Nigeria’s next economic frontier, and the time to bridge the maritime governance gap is now,” he stated.