Showdown Looms As New Naval Chief Tells Senate There’s No Need for Coast Guard
Showdown Looms As New Naval Chief Tells Senate There’s No Need for Coast Guard
A storm may be brewing between the Nigerian Navy and the National Assembly following a bold declaration by the newly appointed Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who stated unequivocally that there is no need for a separate Coast Guard in Nigeria.
Ogalla made the remark during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Navy, where he was grilled on maritime security, oil theft, and inter-agency cooperation. His statement has since stirred tension within the security sector and among lawmakers pushing for the establishment of a Nigerian Coast Guard Commission.
According to the Naval Chief, the Navy already performs all the roles envisioned for a coast guard, including maritime law enforcement, anti-smuggling operations, and securing the nation’s coastal waters. He argued that creating another agency would lead to duplication of functions, unnecessary bureaucracy, and wastage of scarce resources.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Navy has the experience, assets, and personnel to effectively secure the country’s maritime domain, adding that what the service needs is more funding and coordination, not another agency competing for the same responsibilities.
However, some senators disagreed sharply, insisting that the proposed Coast Guard would complement the Navy rather than compete with it.
The lawmakers argue that a dedicated civilian maritime security outfit could focus on non-military functions such as search and rescue, pollution control, and commercial maritime safety areas they say are currently neglected.
Senator Bala Adamu, a key sponsor of the Coast Guard Bill, responded that the creation of a specialized maritime enforcement body would help reduce the Navy’s workload and enhance Nigeria’s capacity to combat illegal fishing, piracy, and crude oil theft.
He maintained that the Coast Guard is not meant to replace the Navy but to strengthen maritime governance and help Nigeria meet international standards.
Observers say this face-off could spark a wider debate about Nigeria’s maritime security architecture, especially at a time when oil theft and sea-based crimes are costing the nation billions in lost revenue.
Security experts are divided. Some back Ogalla’s stance, saying a coast guard might become another budget-draining institution. Others argue that Nigeria’s complex maritime challenges demand a multi-layered approach that goes beyond the military.
As the Coast Guard Bill continues to progress in the Senate, the sharp disagreement between lawmakers and the naval leadership suggests a major showdown is imminent one that could reshape the future of Nigeria’s maritime security system.
