PC-NCG-Presents-Roadmap-to Deliver-5-Million-Ocean-Based-Jobs, Stronger-Maritime-Security,-A-Sustainable-Blue-Economy

PC-NCG Presents Roadmap to Deliver 5 Million Ocean-Based Jobs, Stronger Maritime Security, A Sustainable Blue Economy 

Wisdom Tide News | June 29, 2026

... As Committee Submits Open Letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Following OOC11 Declaration in Mombasa

ABUJA, – The Provisionary Committee for the Proposed Establishment of the Nigerian Coast Guard, PC-NCG, has submitted a comprehensive roadmap to achieve five million ocean-based jobs, enhanced maritime security, and sustainable marine resources. 

The submission aligns with the commitment made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the just-concluded Our Ocean Conference, OOC11, in Mombasa, Kenya.

In an open letter to the President, Capt. Noah Ichaba, Chief Executive & Accounting Officer of PC-NCG, described Nigeria’s 2035 pledge to create five million ocean-based jobs, strengthen ocean governance, advance the blue economy, protect marine resources, enhance maritime security, and safeguard coastal communities as “a bold and timely step in the right direction.”

“The President’s declaration at the conference inspired hope across the maritime sector,” Capt. Ichaba stated. “It affirmed what we have long known: that Nigeria’s future prosperity lies not only beneath our soil, but in the vast wealth of our oceans, waterways, fisheries, ports, and coastal ecosystems.”

“Mr. President, Nigeria has made commendable progress on maritime security through the Navy, regulators, and partner agencies,” he noted. “Yet, a critical institutional gap remains: the absence of a Nigerian Coast Guard.”

He explained that the roadmap is designed to translate the President’s vision into measurable outcomes. “The PC-NCG is presenting a globally credible roadmap to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s maritime domain, create millions of jobs, strengthen national security, attract investment, and build a competitive blue economy.”

“Millions of sustainable ocean-based jobs cannot be created where the institution designed to regulate, protect, facilitate, and power maritime economic activity does not exist,” Capt. Ichaba added.

“Your administration’s target of five million ocean-based jobs by 2035 is achievable, but only with the right enabling framework,” he said.

A Nigerian Coast Guard would directly create thousands of skilled and semi-skilled jobs in recruitment, training, logistics, engineering, administration, IT, marine operations, intelligence, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue.

“Beyond direct employment, it will stimulate indirect jobs across fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, maritime transport, port services, shipbuilding and repairs, offshore energy support, marine environmental management, blue economy enterprises, maritime education, hospitality, and professional training.”

“The Coast Guard will not merely create jobs. It will create the conditions for millions of ocean-based jobs to emerge within three to four years of operations. The multiplier effect will be profound: new businesses, expanded industries, increased investment, deeper local content, and renewed growth in coastal economies.”

Capt. Ichaba outlined the operational value of a Coast Guard as a specialized, non-military service for maritime law enforcement, safety, environmental protection, and humanitarian response. Its mandate would include:

Coastal and inland waterways security, Search and rescue, Maritime law enforcement and fisheries protection, Anti-smuggling, anti-human trafficking, and anti-piracy operations, Environmental protection, emergency management, and port safety, Trade facilitation, coastal community protection, and job creation.

“A Coast Guard will complement, not duplicate existing agencies by bringing clarity of mandate, operational efficiency, and accountable coordination,” he said. “In every successful maritime nation, the Coast Guard is the operational backbone of ocean governance and prosperity.”

He noted that while the Navy focuses on national defence, the Coast Guard delivers continuous attention to law enforcement, coastal security, environmental protection, search and rescue, fisheries protection, maritime safety, and humanitarian response.

“The establishment of a Coast Guard is therefore not merely desirable. It is indispensable. It is the missing institutional pillar in Nigeria’s maritime architecture, the bridge between aspiration and achievement, and the vehicle through which vision becomes measurable national progress.”

“History shows that great national ambitions are realized through strong institutions,” Capt. Ichaba said. “Can Nigeria fully unlock the blue economy, sustainably create five million ocean-based jobs, protect marine resources, and guarantee maritime security without first establishing a Coast Guard?”

“Nigeria need not wait until 2035. Within a few years of establishing a Coast Guard and implementing a coherent maritime development strategy, the nation can generate hundreds of thousands of sustainable jobs and lay the foundation to exceed the five-million-job target.”

He cited the economic and security threats of illegal fishing, smuggling, marine pollution, resource theft, human trafficking, and weak enforcement. “Virtually every major maritime nation operates a Coast Guard alongside its Navy. Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest maritime domains and is strategically positioned to lead Africa’s blue economy. Yet we remain among the few major maritime nations without a Coast Guard. This gap requires urgent correction.”

“Mr. President, administrations are remembered not for promises alone, but for institutions built. Policies may change. Programmes may evolve. Governments may come and go. Enduring institutions remain.”

“Make the Nigerian Coast Guard such an institution — a permanent pillar of maritime safety, security, and national development. This is an opportunity to build an institution that will carry your vision, preserve your legacy, and serve Nigeria for generations.”

“The opportunity is before you. The need is evident. The model is proven. The benefits are undeniable. The national consensus is growing. The economic case is compelling. The security imperative is urgent. The pathway is clear.”

“This is the moment to transform maritime potential into maritime prosperity. This is the moment to convert ambition into action. This is the moment to establish the Nigerian Coast Guard. And this is the moment to secure a lasting presidential legacy built on economic transformation, maritime security, institutional innovation, and national progress. May posterity record that when history called, your administration answered.”