Why Nigeria Needs a Dedicated Coast Guard Now More Than Ever – Captain Aloba

By Captain A.A. Aloba

In the annals of Nigeria’s maritime history, February 16, 1914, remains a defining date. It was on this day, at a meeting of the Executive Council in Government House, Lagos, that Governor-General Sir Frederick D. Lugard formally established the Nigerian Merchant Navy Seafarers under the Theatres and Public Performance Regulation Ordinance of 1912. The institution, guided by notable leaders such as Hon. Lieutenant Chiad, Director of Nigerian Marines, and Hon. F.T. Burrowes, Comptroller of Nigeria Customs & Excise, was charged with securing the nation’s waterways and supporting economic development through agricultural exports long before the advent of crude oil.

For decades, the Nigerian Merchant Navy upheld the nation’s maritime reputation by flying the Nigerian flag with pride at international ports in Liverpool, Hamburg, and Bremen. While the Nigerian Navy concentrated on military operations, the Merchant Navy complemented these efforts by handling maritime policing duties. It secured territorial waterways, safeguarded ships at anchor, supported customs in revenue collection, and maintained order across seaports, jetties, terminals, and offshore installations. Its role was central to Nigeria’s early economic growth.

A critical turning point emerged during the 1966 civil war, following the enforcement of the Navy Act of 1964. The Act expanded the powers of the Nigerian Navy, gradually overshadowing the Merchant Navy’s civil maritime responsibilities. This transition marked the beginning of a sustained erosion of a specialized maritime security structure that had effectively protected Nigerian waters for decades.

Despite the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999, successive administrations have not restored the specialized civilian maritime security institution that once served as the backbone of waterway protection. As a result, a significant gap has persisted in Nigeria’s maritime security framework, leaving vital waterways vulnerable at a time when threats have become more complex.

Today, Nigeria faces a harsh maritime reality marked by escalating incidents of piracy, illegal bunkering, smuggling, crude oil theft, and unregulated fishing. These activities continue to drain billions of naira from the economy annually, weakening national security and undermining investor confidence in the maritime sector. The absence of a dedicated civilian maritime security force has only worsened the situation.

Stakeholders across the maritime industry have repeatedly stressed that restoring the Nigerian Merchant Navy—reconstituted as the Nigerian Coast Guard—is essential to reversing these declines. Such an institution would complement the Nigerian Navy by focusing exclusively on law enforcement, maritime safety, search-and-rescue operations, environmental protection, and economic security along Nigeria’s extensive coastline.

Across the world, countries operate separate naval and coast guard systems to ensure comprehensive maritime governance. Experts argue that adopting this internationally tested model would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to monitor its waterways, enforce maritime regulations, and minimize revenue leakages caused by illegal activities at sea. This approach would also enhance inter-agency cooperation and improve maritime domain awareness.

Beyond security, the economic potential of reviving the Merchant Navy is immense. A functional coast guard would open thousands of job opportunities for trained seafarers and youth across coastal communities. It would boost revenue generation through better regulation of maritime operations, strengthen port efficiency, and stimulate the growth of Nigeria’s blue economy a sector projected to generate immense wealth if properly harnessed.

As maritime insecurity continues to impede national development, maritime experts insist that restoring the Merchant Navy as the Nigerian Coast Guard is not merely desirable but urgently necessary. Re-establishing this institution, they contend, will help safeguard national interests, unlock economic prosperity, and reaffirm Nigeria’s position as a maritime nation capable of defending its waters and maximizing its ocean resources.