A provisional committee has renewed calls for Nigeria to establish a dedicated Coast Guard to tackle piracy, combat maritime crime, and protect the country's ocean resources.
The committee, which has been advocating for this institutional change, says the move is critical to securing Nigeria's territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea, where attacks on vessels and kidnappings of crew members have become increasingly common. Pirates operating in the region have cost the shipping industry millions of naira and damaged Nigeria's reputation as a maritime hub.
Currently, Nigeria relies on the Nigerian Navy to handle coastal security, but the committee argues this arrangement divides the navy's focus between traditional naval defence and maritime law enforcement. A dedicated Coast Guard, the panel says, would concentrate entirely on protecting shipping lanes, enforcing fishing regulations, and responding to distress calls at sea.
The committee has not disclosed the specific timeline for when such an institution could be established or how much it would cost to set up and operate. However, members have stressed that neighbouring countries like Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire already have functioning coast guard services that have proven effective at reducing piracy and maritime crime in their waters.
Nigeria's blue economy, which includes fisheries, oil and gas exploration, and shipping, generates substantial revenue for the government. Without adequate maritime security, the committee warns, this economic engine risks shutdown. Foreign shipping companies have already begun rerouting vessels away from Nigerian waters due to safety concerns, a development that has reduced port activity and tax revenue.
The call comes as attacks on merchant vessels in West African waters reached a five-year high in 2023. International maritime organisations have warned that insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea threatens global trade and fuel supplies. Several crew members have been kidnapped for ransom in recent years, with some incidents occurring within Nigeria's exclusive economic zone.
The committee's position aligns with recommendations from maritime security experts and international bodies that have repeatedly flagged the need for a more focused institutional response to piracy. The Nigerian government has not yet responded officially to the latest call, though the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Navy typically review such proposals before implementation.
