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Tag: Minister

  • Finally, Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Yilwatda emerges APC chairman

    Finally, Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Yilwatda emerges APC chairman

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to announce the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, as its new national chairman following his unanimous endorsement by party governors and state chairmen.

    The decision came after a series of nocturnal meetings and consultations that stretched into the early hours of Thursday.

    The APC National Executive Committee (NEC) was scheduled to convene at 2 p.m. today at the Presidential Villa banquet hall, where Yilwatda’s appointment will be officially ratified.

    The meetings were spearheaded by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma.

    Most APC governors were present, with the exception of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, who was represented by his deputy.

    Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, the governors proceeded to the Presidential Villa to brief President Bola Tinubu on their choice.

    They later met with APC state chairmen to secure broader support.

    Professor Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau State, reportedly enjoys the backing of President Tinubu, in a move aimed at promoting religious balance within the party’s leadership and the federal government.

    Yilwatda concluded the long day of negotiations with a closed-door meeting involving senior party figures, which lasted until about 3 a.m. [The Star]

  • Minister, Reps disagree over establishment of new college

    Minister, Reps disagree over establishment of new college

    Minister of Eduction, Dr Olatunji Alausa and members of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Technical Education have disagreed over a bill for an Act to Establish Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Borno.

    The minister registered his disagreement in a memorandum presented at a public hearing on three bills, organised by the committee in Abuja on Thursday.

    The bills are: “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State*, to provide full-time courses, teaching instruction and training in technology, applied sciences, arts, social sciences, humanities and management; and for related matters (HB.1797).

    “A Bill for an Act to Amend Section 3(2)(b), Second Schedule, and Section 31 of the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004*; and for related matters (HB.1413).

    “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004*, to review the functions of polytechnics; and for related matters (HB.2114).”

    In his paper, Alausa said that upon careful review, the ministry had made observations intended to enhance the advancement of technical and entrepreneurial education in Nigeria.

    He said that there was a Federal Government policy on siting federal institutions equitably across states.

    According to him, the policy ensures that no state hosts more than one federal polytechnic at a time, while guaranteeing that every state has, at least, one such institution.

    The minister said that all states, except Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were engaged in this initiative.

    “Therefore, the ministry urges the distinguished members of the green chambers to prioritise resource allocation towards the successful take-off of already established institutions rather than initiating new ones.

    “Furthermore, the federal ministry of education has streamlined and expanded avenues for the establishment of private tertiary institutions.

    “States and individuals are encouraged to leverage this opportunity to contribute to national educational development.

    “Given prevailing funding constraints, the ministry recommends suspending further initiation and deliberations on the Bill for an Act to establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Hawul Local Government Area, Borno State, at this time,” he said.

    The minister appealed for prudent allocation of resources, prioritising existing institutions over establishing new ones to optimise the nation’s educational development.

    Alausa said that the ministry had no objection to the proposed amendments to the Federal Polytechnic Act except for the proposed amendment of the provision in Section 3(1) of the principal act.

    He said that the act sought to to insert a representative of the the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN)

    “While both organisations serve critical roles, the ministry observes that their functions do not directly align with the responsibilities of the Polytechnic Governing Council.

    “NBTE functions as a regulatory body for technical education, whereas MAN focuses on promoting manufacturers’ interests,” he said.

    However, the sponsor of the establishment bill, Rep. Usman Balami (PDP-Borno) highlighted the insecurity and other negative vices stemming from high unemployment rates and lack of economic opportunities, particularly in Borno.

    According to him, the alarming number of unemployed youth calls for immediate action to address these critical gaps in the community.

    The rep said that the  establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition was a vital step toward fostering economic development and creating job opportunities in the region.

    “This institution will provide comprehensive training programmes designed to equip individuals with a diverse range of skills essential for self-employment and economic independence.

    “In our rapidly changing job market, possessing a varied skill set is crucial for success and adaptability.

    “The college will effectively bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring that graduates emerge ready to meet workforce demands.

    “By promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, this college will generate employment opportunities and stimulate local economic growth,” he said.

    Balami said that the college would play a pivotal role in nurturing local talents and instilling a culture of entrepreneurship, contributing to a more vibrant socio-economic environment.

    In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Rep.  Faud Laguda (APC-Lagos), said that there seemed to be a consensus on the need to acquire skills to curb unemployment.

    Laguda urged all stakeholders to freely make their contributions, saying that the committee would take them into consideration in its report.

    “We can collectively agree that Nigerians can acquire knowledge and skills in social sciences, art, humanities, technology, science, entrepreneurship, vocational and technical education with the passage of these bills.

    “I humbly request your cooperation for purposive and productive deliberations to give lifetime benefits for our dear citizens and the nation at large,” he said.

    The chairman commended the speaker and the leadership of the house for the confidence reposed in the committee and for supporting the hearing.

  • Minister attributes poor 2025 UTME results to stricter CBT standards

    Minister attributes poor 2025 UTME results to stricter CBT standards

    Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has attributed the high rate of poor performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to the Federal Government’s ongoing crackdown on examination malpractice.

    Speaking during an interview on national television, Dr. Alausa explained that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has become a benchmark for exam integrity due to its rigorous Computer-Based Testing (CBT) system, which has significantly curbed cheating.

    “The issue isn’t a lack of intelligence among students,” he stated. “The lower scores simply reflect a more transparent and secure examination process. We’re finally conducting exams the right way.”

    According to the minister, JAMB’s adoption of CBT has built strong safeguards against malpractice, making cheating nearly impossible—a standard he believes other exam bodies like WAEC and NECO are yet to achieve.

    “JAMB has transformed its process into a secure, nearly fraud-proof system. Unfortunately, WAEC and NECO still face serious challenges in this regard,” Alausa noted.

    To address this, he announced that both WAEC and NECO will begin transitioning to computer-based testing in November, with a full rollout planned by 2027 for all major national examination bodies, including EMBRAS and NBTEB.

    “Technology is the solution,” he said. “We must dismantle the culture of malpractice at its roots, and that begins with modernizing how exams are conducted.”

    Dr. Alausa expressed concern over the widespread culture of exam fraud in secondary schools, which he says rewards dishonesty and discourages hardworking students.

    “Many students cheat their way through WAEC and NECO but struggle during JAMB because it offers no loopholes for malpractice. That’s what the 2025 UTME results are showing us,” he explained.

    He warned that this flawed system demoralizes students who are genuinely preparing for exams.

    “When honest students see their peers succeed through leaked exam papers, they feel pressured to join in. It’s an unfair system that promotes corruption from an early age,” he lamented.

    Describing exam fraud as a deeply rooted network involving students, parents, teachers, and invigilators, Dr. Alausa said the government is committed to eradicating it.

    “We’ve allowed this rot to persist for too long. JAMB has shown that a clean examination is possible—we must now apply that same standard to WAEC and NECO. This is about securing the future of our nation,” he declared.

    Reaffirming his faith in Nigerian students, Alausa emphasized that the problem lies not in their abilities but in a compromised environment.

    “Our youth are intelligent and full of promise. What they lack is a fair and accountable system. We’re determined to fix that,” he concluded.

    This year’s UTME saw over 1.5 million candidates score below 200, sparking nationwide concern and debate about the state of education and examination standards in the country.

     

  • NYSC Extention: Not so fast, Hon. Minister – Francis Ewherido

    NYSC Extention: Not so fast, Hon. Minister – Francis Ewherido

    The Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, has proposed extending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) service year from one year to two years. This proposed extension has enormous implications in terms of additional funding by the federal government, impact on the corps members and their families, etc. Consequently, the proposal needs to be vigorously scrutinized because it smells like the plan of the minister’s predecessor to make 18 years the minimum age for entry into Nigerian universities. In one sentence, though it is still a proposal, I feel it was hastily done.

    Let us go back to the beginning. The National Youth Service Corp was established by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973. The scheme was conceived by the government of Gen. Yakubu Gowon in furtherance of his government three Rs policy: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction after the Nigerian Civil War. A review of the impact of the three Rs policy is outside the scope of this column, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, but some of the current inter-ethnic marriages and long-lasting friendships happened as a result of the NYSC scheme. Some Nigerians also settled and live in the states where they did their service till date.

    When the scheme started, getting employment was easy because jobs were waiting after service. As at 1989, when I completed my service, that was no longer the case. It is worse now because there are more graduates and fewer job opportunities. Like every scheme of this nature, there ought to be periodic reviews, but I don’t know what the situation is. Let me just focus on the minister’s proposal as it concerns the young graduates and their families?

    Before embarking on this kind of change, you have to get a representative sample of students, the potential youth service corps members, to know what they feel about the extension. Has that been done? The Gen Zs have their own minds. I interact with some of them and I will share my findings on their opinion of the scheme. For simplicity, I will break it into two broad categories: Those who want it and those who don’t. The first group want to do the service. They see it as another opportunity to be out of home and experience a new environment. Some see it as an opportunity to sow their wild oats after being under the strict guidance of their parents. Some look forward to it as an opportunity to earn an income for the first time in their lives. Some do it with the hope of being retained where they served. Some are not sure when they will get a job, so they want to enjoy the alowee (allowance) while it lasts. There are also those with mortal fear of the unknown. They are ready to do service for eternity, so the proposed two years is music to their ears. For me, the last set deserves the eaglet treatment. For all the wonderful attributes of the eagle, some people do not know that at maturity many eaglets are reluctant to leave the comfort of their parents’ nests. The parents instinctively boot them out to go and start a life of their own.

    The second group are those who see it as a waste of time. They feel that there are very few jobs out there and instead of postponing the evil day, they want to confront unemployment straightaway after graduation by commencing their hustling. There is another set. They have already acquired entrepreneurial skills in school. They provide services and sell goods to their fellow students on campus. They make good money. One student told his parents to stop sending him money. There are those who have done online training and acquired specialized skills. As students, they already earn plenty of money. There are those who are into online trading. I have met a few who are already worth millions. I learnt some are really “big boys” with tons of money. The one-year service is already a distraction. Telling them to do two years will be unacceptable to them. There are those who want to japa, but they want to do the service because dodging it might come back to haunt them later in life when opportunities arise. But an additional year is an issue.

    Now to families, when I travelled from Effurun, Bendel State (now Delta) to Nsukka, in then Anambra State, for the first time in 1984 to commence my studies, my family didn’t hear from me until they got my letter about three weeks to a month later and there was no panic. Nigeria was safer then. It is not so anymore. Now, if your wards are posted to certain parts of the country, the parents call hourly until they get to their destination. In addition, the family is constantly in touch and it is for good reasons. Some corps members have been kidnapped/killed and some have died due inadequate healthcare when they were ill. What exactly is the NYSC doing about improving the welfare of corps members beyond increasing their allowance?

    And that reminds me, is there a group life insurance policy for corps members? There should be if there is none because every year, corps members die. If the death benefit, for instance, is N5m, it cannot compensate for the loss of the corps member, but it can give financial relief to the bereaved family, especially those of little means.  Some of the youth corps members who die have younger siblings. The death benefit but can help in training the younger ones. Some people are uncomfortable with us talking about death, but it’s happening every day.

    This brings me to the next point. The families of some of these corps members are waiting for them to complete their service, get a job and contribute to the economic wellbeing of the family. Does the NYSC want to keep them for another year on the same 77,000 monthly allowance?

    Now let us look at the reason the minster gave for making the proposal. He said that the extension of the scheme from one year to two years is part of efforts to deepen skills acquisition and boost youth employment. This is contestable. What life-transforming skills are corps members currently acquiring to necessitate the extension to two years? Very little or none. That is partly why millions of graduates are unemployed. They said the proposed one-year extension is supposed to include an expansion of the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme to better equip corps members with practical skills for job creation and national development. The NYSC needs to come out and showcase the impact and results of SAED to necessitate an extension of the period of service.

    This skills acquisition being touted reminds me of a session we had during my service. Someone came to teach business administration and wealth creation. Among the corps members were graduates who were part of their families’ businesses and knew a few things about running a business. When the man was done, he was bombarded with questions he couldn’t answer. It was then he confessed that he was just a civil servant from the ministry that he didn’t even have the courage to go into business. That was 37 years ago, but what has changed, NYSC? Nigeria needs real solutions to the problem of unemployment, not hollow rituals. With better funding and rejigging of the curricula of universities/polytechnics, they are better equipped to handle skills acquisition and prepare graduates for entrepreneurship, not NYSC.

    The proposed extra one year will be a waste of time and resources. At graduation, graduates ought to know what they want to do with their lives which vary from one person to the other. It is not something you can achieve by bunching corps members together. Moreover, some of these graduates started making money from the university. Some are millionaires through legitimate money made in school. What does NYSC want to teach them? Some are not even interested in serving at all.

    For graduates who still do not know what to do with their lives after leaving the university, what they need is a journey of self-discovery under the guidance of a mentor, not what the minister is proposing. The fund for the extra one year should be directed to improving the quality of education. The ingredients for everybody’s greatness and success are within, not without. It can only be fanned into flame from without and universities/polytechnics are more suitable.

  • El-Rufai is hurt after failing to land ministerial post – APC

    El-Rufai is hurt after failing to land ministerial post – APC

    The All Progressives Party (APC) has reiterated its unwavering commitment to its founding values and progressive ideals, refuting claims made by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a former Governor of Kaduna State.

    In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, responded to El-Rufai’s recent comments.

    El-Rufai had accused the APC of straying from its original principles and transforming into a party driven by personal interests.

    Morka rejected these claims, asserting that the APC remained committed to its founding values and progressive ideals.

    He further emphasised that in spite of El-Rufai’s departure, the party continued to attract new members who were aligned with its values and vision for Nigeria’s transformation.

    El-Rufai, who recently defected from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), stated in a recent interview that the APC had abandoned its progressive ideals, focusing instead on private interests rather than public welfare.

    Morka dismissed these claims, labeling El-Rufai as a self-serving politician, blinded by ego and driven by personal grievances.

    He emphasised that the former governor’s dissatisfaction stemmed from his failure to secure a ministerial position under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    “His assertion that he left because the APC deviated from its founding values or progressive ideology is merely a cover for his personal frustrations.

    “El-Rufai appears to be acting out of hurt after failing to land a ministerial post, and his attacks on the APC are fuelled by a bruised ego,” Morka said.

    Morka further emphasised that in spite of El-Rufai’s departure, the APC continued to attract millions of new members across the country, all of whom were drawn to the party’s values and its commitment to transforming Nigeria.

    The APC spokesman also dismissed El-Rufai’s claims about the failure of President Tinubu’s administration, calling them baseless and misleading.

    Morka argued that Nigerians were witnessing real progress under Tinubu’s leadership, particularly in areas such as economic reform, good governance, and the delivery of key campaign promises.

    “Under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria is better off today than when he took office.

    “From the removal of the fuel subsidy, which now saves the country an estimated N4 trillion annually, to the unification of exchange rates, tangible progress is being made,” Morka stated.

    He further added that the unification of exchange rates had led to a surge in foreign exchange inflows, contributing to the country’s ongoing economic improvements.

    He also highlighted the country’s growing foreign reserves, the increase in non-oil revenues, and the remarkable boost in oil exports, all of which demonstrated the success of Tinubu’s policies.

    Morka urged El-Rufai to move past his grievances and focus on offering constructive feedback, rather than resorting to negative rhetoric aimed at undermining the country’s progress.

    “El-Rufai is free to choose his political affiliation, but he should stop sulking and regain some respectability,” the APC spokesman said.

  • FG denies diversion of $3bn railway project by minister to home state

    FG denies diversion of $3bn railway project by minister to home state

    The Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT) has described as false a report claiming that Sen. Said Alkali, the Minister of Transport, diverted three billion dollars railway project from South-East to his home state, Gombe for political gain.

    The ministry urged Nigerians to disregard the publication, describing it as false, malicious and misleading to the public, and should be discarded.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the management of the ministry and signed by Mrs Janet McDickson, Director of Information and Public Relation in the ministry.

    “Attention of Management and Staff of FMT has been drawn to a publication written by Sahara Reporters (online report) alleging that “Nigeria’s Transport Minister diverted $3 Billion Railway Project from South-East to Home State, Gombe for Political Gain”.

    “The management wishes to state categorically that, the above report is false, malicious and misleading to the public and should be discarded.

    The statement noted that the Port Harcourt -Maiduguri narrow gauge railway rehabilitation project was awarded to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in November, 2020.

    It said so far, the rehabilitation works had been completed from Port Harcourt to Aba and train services along the corridor was currently running.

    “Rehabilitation works from Aba to Enugu is ongoing with works on substructure completed while works on superstructures are ongoing.

    “It is pertinent to note that the slow pace of work on the project is due to paucity of funds and the Federal Ministry of Transportation is working assiduously with the Contractor to ensure that funds are drawn down to complete the project.

    “It is worthy to note that the main line for the project is in sections, Port Harcourt – Aba, Aba-Kafanchan, Kafanchan to Kuru in Jos, and Kuru to Maiduguri, “ it said.

    According to statement, as part of preliminary works on the remaining section of the project which includes Gombe State, a recognizance survey was carried out in 2024.

    It added that the survey was carried out along the entire rail line by the four stakeholders – the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Contractor and the Consultant.

    It stated that there was no work going on in Gombe currently as falsely reported by the Sahara Reporters.

    “The Management of the ministry requests that Sahara Reporters withdraw this fake report and apologise to the Minister, Sen. Said Alkali for dragging his name and the ministry in a bad light.

    “The minister is working assiduously to bring out the dividends of democracy to the entire nation to achieve the mandate of the Ministry and does not deserve to be attached with this fake news.

    “The Sahara Reporters is therefore, warned to desist from carrying out fake news but is advised to work professionally by officially verifying its information before publications, “ it said.

    According to it, the ministry is working hard to connect the entire country through the rail sector to ease transportation, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • We’ll broker peace between Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio – Minister

    We’ll broker peace between Akpoti-Uduaghan, Akpabio – Minister

    The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development says it will broker peace between Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP/Kogi Central) and the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

    The Minister, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this while addressing State House Correspondents during the Meet-the-Press meeting on Friday.

    The Minister said the allegation of sexual harassment by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which led to her suspension from the Senate for six months, was an unfortunate incident that should not have happened.

    “It is unfortunate; we’re going to be brokering peace.

    “In the last assembly, we had nine women senators; in this Assembly, we have four. We don’t want to lose any member of the Senate or House of Representatives.

    “We want to increase the numbers.

    “We will engage all the stakeholders to ensure that they temper justice with mercy,” she said.

    Sulaiman-Ibrahim said she was at the National Assembly on Thursday, where they marked International Women’s Day.

    She said the last thing the President of the Senate said was, “We’re open to broker peace.

    “So, we’re going to be an intermediary between the two parties to see that peace reigns.

    “We will continue to sensitise women so that we will work better together as women and men.”

  • Minister assures ‘japa syndrome’ will end soon

    Minister assures ‘japa syndrome’ will end soon

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Iziaq Salako, has assured that the mass emigration of healthcare professionals, referred to as the “japa syndrome,” will soon come to an end.

    He made the statement during a working visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday.

    Salako attributed the impending end of the trend to the President Bola Tinubu administration’s focused efforts to strengthen the health sector through strategic reforms and policies.

    He expressed confidence that these efforts would address the challenges facing the sector.

    The minister emphasised that public hospital workers should not feel compelled to leave the country, given the ongoing improvements in remuneration and working conditions.

    “Within Nigeria’s economic realities, health workers are among the best-paid professionals.

    “However, beyond salary increases, we must cultivate a stronger sense of commitment and passion for the profession,” Salako explained.

    He added that raising doctors’ salaries alone would not solve the sector’s challenges.

    “If we increase doctors’ pay, other professionals, such as teachers, will also demand pay raises,” he said.

    Salako also urged health workers to embrace patriotism and consider the long-term benefits of staying in Nigeria.

    “East or West, home is best. No matter where you go outside your country, you remain a second-class citizen,” he stated.

    While acknowledging the significant power supply challenges faced by many tertiary hospitals, Salako lauded UBTH for its innovative approach to managing the issue.

    He pledged increased government funding for public hospitals, emphasising that healthcare remained a national priority.

    “Health is the essence of living, and adequate funding is key to addressing the sector’s challenges,” he said.

    On the topic of emigration, the minister noted that “japa” wa an economic issue that required a comprehensive approach beyond the healthcare sector.

    He said that with the policies in place, particularly those focused on capacity building, the tide would soon turn.

    Prof. Darlington Obaseki, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, highlighted the severe shortage of healthcare workers at the hospital, in spite of its reputation for affordable, high-quality care.

    “We currently have more than 500 patients, but only 750 nurses working across three shifts.

    “This is barely sufficient to cover the clinics, theatres, and inpatient care. We also have about 250 consultants and fewer than 300 resident doctors,” Obaseki said.

    He urged the government to urgently address the staffing shortage to ensure continued quality healthcare delivery.

  • Minimum wage’ll be reviewed in less than 2 yrs – Minister

    Minimum wage’ll be reviewed in less than 2 yrs – Minister

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, says the new minimum wage will be reviewed in less than two years from now.

    Onyejeocha said this on Thursday in Umuahia, while addressing newsmen after a meeting with labour leaders in Abia.

    She said that President Bola Tinubu was committed to his promise to Nigerian workers by ensuring minimum wage was reviewed after three years.

    She said that the president was deeply concerned about the welfare of workers and would keep to every promise he made to them.

    “We are not going to allow minimum wage review to be forever.

    “It used to be about five years, but now, in three year’s time, which is less than two years, we will also review the minimum wage,” Onyejeocha said.

    According to her, it has been said and it has been documented.

    NAN reports that Tinubu had approved N70,000 minimum wage in July 2024, with a promise to review it every three years.

    Onyejeocha, who hails from Abia, said that she decided to meet with the labour leaders, who she described as her constituents, “to wish them well”, after spending her Christmas and New Year holidays in the state.

    She said that she reminded the leaders that labour is an integral part of the government that should help to ensure stability and peace, not just at work place, but also in the country.

    “I reminded them that we should have a strike-free year, where we will be able to work with the government in partnership, knowing that if we are in peace, we will be more productive,” she said.

    The Abia Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Ogbomna Okoro, commended the minister for her giant stride in office, saying that the body was proud of her and would collaborate with her.

    Earlier, the minister, who is from a royal family, had a roundtable with the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, where she took time to explain some Federal Government’s policies to them.

  • Why Nigeria needs National Coast Guard – Minister

    Why Nigeria needs National Coast Guard – Minister

    The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says there is need to strengthen the collaboration between the ministry and the Nigerian navy in safeguarding Nigerian maritime space as it is done in other climes.

    Oyetola made this submission on Thursday in Abuja at the Senate public hearing on the Nigerian Coast Guard Establishment Bill 2024.

    NAN reports that a bill to establish Nigerian Coast Guard recently scaled second reading in the Senate.

    The minister said it was important to give credit to the Nigerian Navy for its achievements in safeguarding the Nigerian maritime space and giving Nigeria a good image worldwide.

    Oyetola said the collaborative effort between with the ministry and its agency–the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Deep Blue Project had shown great result with zero piracy in Nigeria territorial water in the last three years.

    “However, there is a need to further complement the efforts of our Navy as it is done in other climes.

    “According to a 2009 publication by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, 15 out of the 21 independent maritime nations in sub-Saharan Africa have dedicated coast guards, that identify themselves as such and none has our population and many of these countries do not have the length of our inland waterways or coastline.

    “Also, a 2015 publication by the Institute for Security Studies of the National Defence College of Nigeria highlighted the impact of activities such as illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the inland waters, coastal and marine fishing zone in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “These illegal activities are estimated to cost the region approximately between 3 billion dollars to 5 billion dollars a year in lost revenue.

    “The Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway development is a major game changer for the entire coastline of the country.

    “The project is expected to unlock the regions blue economy potential– hotels, beach resorts, water parks, eco-parks, ferry services, hospitality industries, industrial parks and more are soon to spring up along the coastline.’’

    The minister said that such increase in economic activities would require a dedicated institution that would be responsible for ensuring maritime safety, search and rescue, environmental protection and the enforcement of civil maritime laws.

    According to him, the spate of boats mishap within the nation’s inland waterways is also a strong justification for the need to strengthen our maritime safety and the enforcement of maritime laws and regulations in the inland waterways.

    “This is necessary to boost maritime trade and trans-shipment in Nigeria.

    “Also, considering Nigeria’s critical position in the maritime domain on the continent and globally, the establishment of a National Coast Guard will further increase our standing in the comity of maritime nations. This will no doubt attract foreign support and assistance.”

    Oyetola said that the establishment of the Coast Guard was aimed at maritime safety–by establishing clear protocols, enforcing safety regulations, and overseeing navigation routes in our inland water ways.

    He said the Coast Guard would play a critical role in safeguarding lives, property and trade within Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.

    The minister said that the Coast Guard would respond rapidly to maritime emergencies, conducting timely and efficient search and rescue operations.

    “The Coast Guard will actively work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies to prevent pollution and enforce environmental regulations within Nigeria’s waters.

    “Through initiatives focused on conservation and the protection of marine ecosystems, the Coast Guard will support Nigeria’s commitment to environmental stewardship, safeguarding marine biodiversity for future generations.

    “Enforcement of Civil Maritime Laws–tasked with upholding laws that govern civil maritime activities, the Coast Guard will enforce fishing laws and regulations, conventions on pollution and other civil maritime offences.

    “This function will support sustainable resource management, protect Nigeria’s waters from illegal exploitation and align with international best practices for civil maritime governance.’’

    He also spoke on inter-agency collaboration with military/paramilitary agencies

    According to him, the ministry is cognisant of the traditional but important roles being played, especially by the Nigerian Navy and the armed forces to protect our waterways and maritime assets through their operations.

    He said that National Coast Guard would ensure effective collaboration with other military and paramilitary agencies.

    “To this end, we advocate the setting up of effective and coordinated machinery for seamless collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other armed forces, as well as key agencies in the country, to further enhance the protection of our maritime resources.

    “This will include technology and resource sharing, joint maritime exercises, missions and training to enhance maritime safety and foster cooperation.’’

    Oyetola urged the Senate and the National Assembly to lend their full support to the bill.

    He said that Nigerian Coast Guard would act as a vital complement to the Navy, fostering a safe and sustainable maritime environment that was aligned with international best practices.

    According to him, the initiative will strengthen Nigeria’s blue economy, protect Nigeria’s natural resources and ensure prosperity for future generations.

    “A flexible, adaptive implementation strategy should be evolved to midwife its establishment.

    “We also encourage those with reservations to see the pressing need for this institution and rally in support of this historic endeavour,’’ he said.