Maritime stakeholders have called on the National Assembly to accelerate the establishment of a National Coast Guard to strengthen security across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The appeal follows a series of fatal accidents and persistent illegal activities along the country’s estimated 850km waterways, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.
A stakeholder, Abdulazeez Ayodele Aloba, said the absence of a dedicated civil maritime agency responsible for search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and law enforcement has created critical gaps in emergency response and safety.
“The current structure exposes citizens and economic assets to avoidable risks,” Aloba stated.
He referenced a recent canoe accident in Yobe State that reportedly claimed over 20 lives as evidence of the urgent need for a specialised agency to manage inland and coastal search-and-rescue operations.
Stakeholders commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising he blue economy through the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, as well as approving recommendations from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on sustainable development.
Despite Nigeria’s vast maritime potential, they note that the sector contributes less than 3% to the nation’s GDP due to insecurity and weak institutional frameworks.
Persistent challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, crude oil theft, and smuggling continue to erode investor confidence and reduce national revenue.
Aloba further noted that Nigeria’s re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C for the 2026–2027 biennium raises expectations for the country to meet global standards, including the operation of a professional coast guard.
He added that comparisons with other Category C members — such as the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia, and Malaysia — highlight Nigeria’s lag, as these countries maintain dedicated coast guards for civil maritime responsibilities.
Stakeholders also argue that relying on the Nigerian Navy to perform both military and civil maritime duties is overstretching its capacity and deviates from international best practices.
Stakeholders acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola n advancing maritime diplomacy and blue economy initiatives.