The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, has called for the establishment of a Nigerian Marine Corps to address growing maritime security threats and harness the country’s vast maritime resources.

Speaking during a public hearing on the Nigerian Marine Corps Bill at the National Assembly, Gagdi described the initiative as critical for protecting Nigeria’s waters and fostering economic growth.

Speaker Abbas who was represented by the house Leader hon Julius Ihonvbere reiterated the bill's alignment with the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives, particularly in advancing the Blue Economy, economic diversification, and environmental sustainability.

Highlighting global examples like the U.S. Marine Corps and South Korea’s Marine Corps, Abbas sued for a specialized marine unit to address Nigeria’s unique maritime challenges.

However, the proposal faced strong opposition from stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Navy, NIMASA, and the Nigerian Shippers Council, who argued for strengthening existing agencies instead of creating new ones.

Civil Society Organizations also criticized the bill, describing it as unnecessary and urging lawmakers to reject it.

In response, Gagdi assured stakeholders that the Committee would impartially evaluate the bill, promising due diligence in legislative deliberations.