The Progressive Governors Forum (PC) and the Nigeria Coast Guard Corps (NCGC) have called on state governments to actively support the passage of the Nigeria Coast Guard Bill currently before the National Assembly.
The proposed legislation aims to establish a national coast guard with the mandate to strengthen maritime security, enforce maritime laws, and safeguard Nigeria’s coastline from illegal activities.
During recent engagements, the PC emphasized the critical role of the bill in addressing a range of maritime challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and other forms of illicit activity that threaten Nigeria’s economic and national security interests. The forum urged state governments to collaborate with their representatives in the National Assembly, stressing that active engagement and advocacy are essential for the swift and successful passage of the legislation.
The NCGC, which was established in 2021 to provide a specialized maritime security service, reiterated its commitment to working alongside state governments, communities, and other stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s maritime domain. The corps highlighted its ongoing operations in securing coastal areas and stated that the institutionalization of a formal coast guard would significantly enhance operational efficiency and coordination across all maritime jurisdictions.
Officials from both the PC and NCGC noted that the establishment of a national coast guard would create a robust framework for cooperation between federal and state authorities, enhance intelligence sharing, and provide the necessary legal backing for the enforcement of maritime regulations. They further stressed that a properly empowered coast guard would help protect key economic assets, including ports, fishing zones, and offshore installations, while also contributing to national security and international maritime obligations.
The two bodies concluded by urging all relevant stakeholders to support the passage of the bill and ensure that Nigeria has a fully functional and effective coast guard capable of safeguarding the country’s maritime territory and reinforcing its security architecture.
