Maritime stakeholders have urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to fast-track the creation of a National Coast Guard to strengthen security on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The call was sequel to a series of fatal accidents and persistent illegal activities across the country’s 850km waterways, they said in a statement on Wednesday.
Maritime security expert Abdulazeez Ayodele Aloba said the absence of a dedicated civil maritime agency for search and rescue, environmental monitoring and law enforcement has left critical gaps in emergency response and safety.
“The current structure exposes citizens and economic assets to avoidable risks,” Aloba said.
He cited a recent canoe accident in Yobe State that reportedly killed over 20 people as evidence of the urgent need for a specialized agency to handle inland and coastal search-and-rescue operations.
Stakeholders commended Tinubu for prioritizing the blue economy through the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and for approving recommendations from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, on sustainable development.
Despite Nigeria’s maritime potential, the sector contributes less than 3% to GDP due to insecurity and weak institutions, analysts said. Piracy, illegal fishing, crude oil theft and smuggling continue to undermine investor confidence and cut national revenue.
Aloba noted that Nigeria’s re-election to the International Maritime Organization Council under Category C for 2026-2027 raises expectations to meet global standards, including operating a professional coast guard.
A comparison with other Category C members like the Philippines, Egypt, Indonesia and Malaysia shows Nigeria is lagging, he said, as those countries maintain dedicated coast guards for civil maritime duties.
Experts argue that relying on the Nigerian Navy for both military and civil maritime functions is overstretched and inconsistent with international practice.
Stakeholders also acknowledged the efforts of Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola and Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi in advancing maritime diplomacy and blue economy initiatives.
They implored Oyetola and the Senate to speed up the legislative process for the Nigeria Coast Guard, saying it would enhance security, protect lives and marine ecosystems, and unlock economic opportunities in Nigeria’s waters.