Once again, Nigerian lawmakers are pushing for a separate security outfit to curb the excesses of armed men on our waterways, despite the Nigerian Navy’s existing mandate to secure Nigeria’s maritime borders. The proposed Nigerian Coast Guard, if passed, could turn the waterways into a battleground between the proposed coastal guard and the Navy. This bill makes no sense.
The Nigerian Coast Guard bill, sponsored by APC Senator Wasiu Eshilokun of Lagos Central, claims the guard will “assist in enforcing relevant laws” and play a crucial role in protecting lives and property in the maritime sector.
The bill, which has passed its second reading and is currently before the Senate Committee on Maritime Transport, has received overwhelming support from Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau (Kano North) and his colleagues, including Senators Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central Senatorial District), and Sunday Karimi (Kogi West).
During the Senate debate, only Senator Adams Oshiomhole opposed the bill, arguing that if maritime security is lacking, the Nigerian Navy should be further equipped to bolster its efforts on the waterways. His perspective is logical and grounded.
Historically, Nigeria is known for creating agencies that duplicate existing roles. For instance, in 1988, the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida established the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), assigning it a mandate originally under the Nigeria Police Force to manage road safety and reduce accidents nationwide.
Unfortunately, the FRSC has been overwhelmed by corruption, leading to widespread disregard for road safety measures by drivers who understand that bribes can help them evade consequences.
It appears Nigeria hasn’t learned from this. In 2003, during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) received a legal mandate to protect government properties—a role that was also initially under the Nigeria Police Force.
Despite the NSCDC’s creation, attacks on government assets have continued unabated, especially in the North, where vandals frequently damage transmission lines and pipelines in the Niger Delta. The lawmakers’ 2003 decision seems to have been more about job creation for loyalists than genuine security improvement.
The NSCDC’s establishment has also created an unhealthy rivalry with the Nigeria Police Force, leading to confrontations between the two.
In a recent instance- October 25, 2024 – NSCDC and NPF officials publicly clashed in Abere, Osun State, where a video showed them physically fighting. Similar conflicts have occurred over the years, with instances in 2013, 2014, and 2016 resulting in injuries and even fatalities.
History shows that establishing a Nigerian Coast Guard will likely foster similar rivalry with the Navy. The Nigerian Navy has both military and policing roles on Nigerian waterways.
Its military functions include sea blockades, amphibious operations, and aggressive inshore and offshore patrols. On the policing side, the Navy is empowered to prevent smuggling, combat sea robbery, carry out fisheries protection patrols, and conduct search and rescue operations.
If the Senate believes the Nigerian Navy has failed in its policing role, it should launch a thorough investigation to determine why the Navy is not performing optimally.
Duplicating its responsibilities is not the solution. Lawmakers need to recognize that simply creating new agencies in response to problems is not a sound and sustainable approach.
Nigeria already has too many government agencies that strain its fiscal resources. At a time when the Orosanye Report’s recommendations on cutting governance costs remain unimplemented, lawmakers should avoid further complicating the already overburdened budget.
Senator Wasiu Eshilokun’s argument that the Nigerian Coast Guard would complement the Navy’s efforts is unconvincing. Security agencies in Nigeria are notoriously competitive rather than collaborative.
Instead of pursuing a politically motivated Nigerian Coast Guard, the National Assembly should fulfill its oversight responsibilities by investigating the rising cases of insecurity on the waterways, scrutinizing the Navy’s annual budget allocations, and ensuring that allocated funds are used as intended.
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