The Provisional Committee for the Establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has commended the Senate for advancing the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill, describing the presentation of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport’s report as a major legislative milestone towards strengthening maritime security and unlocking Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
Key Highlights
- Senate advances the Nigerian Coast Guard Bill with committee report presentation.
- Bill temporarily stepped down for further consultations on funding and agency roles.
- PC-NCG urges speedy final passage to enhance maritime security and protect the Blue Economy.
- Proposed Coast Guard will focus on search and rescue, marine safety, fisheries enforcement and environmental protection.
- Committee says the new agency will complement, not duplicate, the roles of the Nigerian Navy and Marine Police.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, on behalf of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the PC-NCG, Captain Noah Ichaba, the committee noted that the bill has successfully passed critical legislative stages and is now awaiting final approval by the Senate.
According to the committee, although the Senate Committee on Marine Transport presented its report on the bill during plenary on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, lawmakers stepped down further consideration to allow additional consultations and provide greater clarity on the respective roles, responsibilities and funding framework of the proposed Nigeria Coast Guard in relation to the Nigerian Navy and the Marine Police.
The committee described the Senate’s decision as evidence of its commitment to producing a comprehensive law that will strengthen maritime security without creating institutional conflicts or operational overlap.
While applauding the Senate’s diligence, the PC-NCG appealed for the timely conclusion of the legislative process, stressing that establishing the Nigeria Coast Guard has become imperative to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain, protecting lives and property at sea, and maximising the country’s Blue Economy potential.
Captain Ichaba said that while the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019 provides a strong legal framework for combating piracy and other maritime crimes, Nigeria urgently requires a dedicated institution to enforce those laws effectively.
He explained that the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard Bill (SB. 575) seeks to establish a specialised civilian maritime law enforcement agency responsible for search and rescue operations, marine environmental protection, fisheries enforcement, and other non-military maritime security duties. This, he noted, would enable the Nigerian Navy to focus on its constitutional defence responsibilities.
According to Ichaba, the establishment of the Coast Guard would bridge the gap between maritime legislation and enforcement, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve maritime safety, combat illegal fishing and pollution, curb transnational maritime crimes, and position Nigeria to fully harness opportunities within the Blue Economy.
He further stated that insecurity remains one of the biggest obstacles to the growth of the Blue Economy and called on stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives aimed at ensuring the safe, secure and sustainable use of Nigeria’s maritime resources.
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The committee recalled that it formally wrote to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and members of the Senate in July 2023, advocating legislative consideration of the bill.
It also noted that the bill, sponsored by Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, passed second reading on October 15, 2024, before being referred to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport. The bill subsequently received broad stakeholder support during its public hearing before the committee submitted its report to the Senate.
The PC-NCG expressed confidence that the remaining legislative process would be concluded without unnecessary delay, reaffirming its commitment to supporting lawful efforts to establish the Nigeria Coast Guard as a strategic institution for maritime security, national development and the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
