The Provisionary Committee for the Establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has commended the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the significant progress recorded on the Nigeria Coast Guard Establishment Bill, particularly the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, describing it as a major legislative milestone toward strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance.
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 PC-NCG, Captain Noah Ichaba, the Committee noted that the Bill has successfully progressed through critical legislative stages and is now at an advanced stage, awaiting final passage by the Senate.
The PC-NCG observed that although the Senate Committee laid its report on the Bill before the Senate for consideration on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, the Senate, in its commitment to thorough law-making, stepped it down to allow further consultations and provide additional 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.
According to the Committee, this demonstrates the Senate’s determination to produce a comprehensive and effective law capable of strengthening maritime security without institutional overlap.
While appreciating the Senate’s diligence, the PC-NCG appealed for the timely conclusion of the legislative process, stressing that the establishment of the Nigeria Coast Guard has become imperative to safeguarding Nigeria’s Blue Economy, protecting lives and property at sea, and unlocking the nation’s vast maritime economic potential.
“While the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, 2019, provided Nigeria with a robust legal framework against piracy and other maritime crimes, what the nation now urgently requires is a dedicated institution to effectively enforce those laws,” Captain Ichaba stated.
“The Nigeria Coast Guard Establishment Bill, SB. 575, will create that specialized civilian maritime law enforcement agency responsible for search and rescue, marine environmental protection, fisheries enforcement, and other non-military maritime security functions. This will enable the Nigerian Navy to concentrate on its constitutional defence responsibilities while the Coast Guard secures Nigeria’s economic waters.”
Captain Ichaba further emphasized that the enactment of the Bill would bridge the existing gap between maritime legislation and effective enforcement, strengthen inter-agency coordination, improve maritime safety, combat illegal fishing, pollution, and transnational maritime crimes, while positioning Nigeria to fully harness the enormous opportunities within the Blue Economy.
He added that insecurity remains one of the greatest impediments to the growth of the Blue Economy and urged all stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives that promote the safe, secure, and sustainable use of Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The Committee recalled that in July 2023, it formally wrote to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and members of the Senate, urging legislative consideration of the Bill.
It further noted that the Bill, sponsored by Sen. Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, passed Second Reading on 15 October 2024, was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, and received overwhelming support from stakeholders during the public hearing before the Committee presented its report to the Senate.
The PC-NCG expressed confidence that the remaining legislative process would be concluded successfully and without delay, reaffirming its commitment to supporting every lawful effort aimed at establishing the Nigeria Coast Guard as a strategic institution for maritime security, national development, and the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
