By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Some members of the National Assembly the Nigerian Navy and Civil Society Organizations have cited duplication of functions, security threats, incoherent crafting of the bill, resource constraints, and economic imperatives, among others as reasons for opposing the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Wasiu Eshilokun (APC-Lagos), seeks to enact legislation to make the Nigerian Coast Guard a full-fledged military service and a branch of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, to be domiciled under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The Nigerian Navy at the public hearing held in the National Assembly Library on Thursday, said creating a similar structure will lead to redundant functions and stretch limited resources.
The position of the Navy was made clear by the Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Olusegun Ferreira, who represented the Chief of Naval Staff.
He said, “The United Kingdom does not have a Coast Guard with military powers similar to those being proposed in this bill. Rather, the Royal Navy is responsible for military defense and maritime security operations, including facial protection, as cited from the House of Commons briefing paper of 2020.
“On the other hand, the UK Coast Guard is under the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, which manages search and rescue and occupational safety. In fact, the UK Coast Guard is also known as a volunteer organisation. It is not funded by the government but by charity. The UK example symbolises a resourceful naval force working with complementary civilian agencies to manage maritime safety.
“Let’s also consider the United States of America. The US Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security, focusing on law enforcement, environmental protection, and search and rescue, while the US Navy, under the Department of Defense, is primarily an expeditionary force projecting power far beyond the shores.
“South Africa has opted to enhance its network capacity instead of establishing a Coast Guard, recognizing budget constraints and prioritising a unified labour force for all maritime security and defense functions. The South African Navy performs both military roles and law enforcement functions, supported by government agencies and non-military tasks like environmental protection. This approach, similar to what is practised in Nigeria and several developing countries, minimises redundancy and ensures that the country’s limited resources are well managed.
“Given Nigeria’s regional maritime focus and resource constraints, creating a similar structure will lead to redundant functions and stretch limited resources.”
Speaking against the bill, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, cited the financial implications of establishing a new agency.
The Edo North Senator questioned the rationale for establishing a military service and placing it under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy instead of Defense.
“So why do we need an Armed Forces to be controlled by the Blue Economy Ministry instead of the Ministry of Defense?”
In his contribution, Rep. Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, expressed strong opposition to the bill, emphasizing that Nigeria should focus on strengthening existing agencies and institutions rather than creating irrelevant ones with overlapping functions.
Various speakers, including Dr. Emeka Akabogu, Honorary Secretary of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association; Rear Admiral Chris Ezekobe (Rtd.); and Igwe Ude Umanta, representing a coalition of 10 Civil Society Groups, all rejected the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard and urged the Senate to drop the bill.
