By Paschal Emeka in Abuja
The Provisionary Committee for the Proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has reiterated its call on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to recognize and establish the Nigerian Coast Guard as a strategic pillar within the National Blue Economy Policy Framework, consistent with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
In an open letter to President Tinubu, titled: “Contracting Pipeline Surveillance, to Creating a Nigerian Coast Guard for Maritime Security Institutional Development and Protection of the Blue Economy”, Captain Noah Ichaba, the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of PC-NCG, made a case for integrating existing maritime security experience and expertise into the institutional framework of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, to build a comprehensive national maritime security architecture aligned with international best practices.
Captain Ichaba maintained that Nigeria’s maritime security must not depend solely on the renewal of surveillance contracts, regardless of their immediate value or operational contributions. Instead, it must rest on strong, professional, accountable, and enduring institutions capable of safeguarding our territorial waters, strategic national infrastructure, and maritime resources for generations to come.
The letter reads in part: “The Provisionary Committee for the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) respectfully conveys its profound appreciation for your administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, advancing the Blue Economy, protecting critical national assets and implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The recent national conversation surrounding the possible renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract valued at approximately N2.1 trillion has once again drawn attention to the enormous financial commitment required to secure Nigeria’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure.
Beyond the immediate issue of contract renewal, this development presents Nigeria with a defining national opportunity to adopt a more enduring and institution-based approach to maritime security, institutional development and protection of the blue economy.
Rather than relying predominantly on renewable surveillance contracts, the Federal Government can seize this historic moment by establishing a statutory Nigerian Coast Guard, a permanent national institution specifically designed to protect Nigeria’s vast maritime domain and critical offshore infrastructure in accordance with international best practices.
This is not a question of replacing existing security arrangements or diminishing the contributions of individuals, communities or organizations that have supported national maritime security efforts. Rather, it is about transforming decades of valuable operational experience into a sustainable national institution that will serve present and future generations.
Maritime security is universally recognized as a sovereign responsibility. Across the world, nations with significant maritime interests maintain Coast Guard services responsible for coastal security, maritime law enforcement, offshore infrastructure protection, search and rescue, environmental protection, anti-smuggling operations, fisheries enforcement and emergency response. These are permanent statutory institutions operating under clear legal mandates, accountable to government and recognized internationally.
Nigeria, as Africa’s foremost maritime nation, possesses over 850 kilometres of coastline, extensive inland waterways, strategic ports, offshore oil and gas facilities, and one of the continent’s most promising Blue Economy sectors. Such enormous national assets deserve permanent institutional protection rather than continued dependence on temporary contractual arrangements.
The establishment of a Nigerian Coast Guard would provide Nigeria with a professionally trained, technologically equipped, and legally empowered institution capable of safeguarding oil and gas infrastructure; combating piracy, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering, illegal fishing, smuggling, trafficking, and marine pollution; strengthening maritime law enforcement; conducting search and rescue operations; protecting the marine environment; and supporting disaster response along Nigeria’s coastline and inland waterways.
A Coast Guard would also complement the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Navy rather than duplicate them. While the Navy remains focused on national defence and military operations, the Coast Guard would specialize in civil maritime safety, maritime security, law enforcement, environmental protection, and humanitarian operations, thereby creating a more efficient and integrated maritime security architecture.
From an economic perspective, the establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard represents a strategic investment rather than a recurring expenditure. Instead of repeatedly financing large-scale surveillance contracts, Nigeria would be investing in a permanent national institution whose assets, personnel, operational systems, and infrastructure would remain the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Such an institution would build institutional memory, professional expertise, and operational continuity while significantly reducing long-term dependence on contract-based security arrangements.
The benefits of establishing the Nigerian Coast Guard include: Permanent protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure. Enhanced maritime domain awareness. Effective suppression of piracy and maritime crimes. Improved search and rescue capabilities. Stronger environmental protection and pollution response. Better enforcement of fisheries and maritime laws. Increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector. Sustainable employment opportunities for thousands of Nigerians. Enhanced inter-agency coordination. Stronger international cooperation with global Coast Guard services. Improved implementation of international maritime conventions. Accelerated development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy. Long-term fiscal sustainability through institutional capacity-building.
The current national discourse therefore presents an opportunity that extends far beyond the renewal of any surveillance contract. It invites Nigeria to transition from temporary arrangements toward permanent institutional solutions capable of protecting national interests for generations.
The collective experience, influence and commitment to the peace and security of the Niger Delta can become valuable pillars in the successful establishment and operation of a Nigerian Coast Guard.
Your Excellency, history often remembers leaders who transformed temporary solutions into enduring institutions. The establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard under your administration would stand as one of the most significant institutional reforms in Nigeria’s maritime history, strengthening national security, protecting strategic economic assets, promoting regional stability, and elevating Nigeria’s standing within the international maritime community.
Together, let us seize this defining national opportunity to move from pipeline surveillance to a Nigerian Coast Guard-an institution that will secure Nigeria’s maritime future, strengthen our sovereignty, reinforce our international reputation, and leave a lasting legacy for generations yet unborn.”
