- Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola (left) receiving the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria from the Committee Chairman and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, in Abuja…Friday
By Anthony Nwachukwu
In a bold step towards ending recurring fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has assured that the federal government would implement sweeping reforms to improve maritime safety.
The minister, who spoke in Abuja on Friday when he received the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to making Nigerian waters safe for all users.
According to him, the current spate of boat mishaps was unacceptable and preventable, and must be tackled through a blend of policy enforcement, stakeholder cooperation and behavioural change
“The safety of our citizens on water is not just a policy responsibility but a moral duty. Every life lost in a boat mishap is one too many,” the Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, cited the minister to say.
“This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required.”
He stressed the urgent need for attitudinal change among water transport users, especially regarding the use of life jackets, describing such safety gear as non-negotiable. He further revealed that the federal government is set to phase out rickety boats, often implicated in fatal accidents, and replace them with safer, standard-compliant alternatives.
In a strong call to action, Oyetola appealed to state governments and other sub-national authorities to align with federal initiatives, stating, “The fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the Federal Government alone. We call on state governments to collaborate with us in enforcing standards and saving lives.”
Urging the beneficiaries to prioritise safety by consistently and correctly using the life jackets whenever they travel on water, the minister recalled that he recently approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as part of a strategic intervention to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps and related fatalities.
Meanwhile, the 16-member special committee led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, presented its report to the minister, outlining its structure and key findings.
It was inaugurated on February 27, 2025 and tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations, identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
According to Oyebamiji, the committee exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a thorough and credible outcome. The six-chapter report includes detailed analyses of current operations, regulatory gaps, design standards, and institutional capacity. It also proposed a comprehensive plan to enhance safety and oversight.
Among the 64 recommendations reviewed by four technical sub-committees, 17 key proposals were highlighted, including the establishment of a coast guard to enforce waterway safety regulations, and creation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types.
Also proposed were mandatory certification and formal training for boat operators, increased funding for NIWA to strengthen hydrographic and marine engineering functions, and the setting up of search and rescue stations at strategic locations across inland waterways, among others.
Oyebamiji explained that the committee “adopted both physical and virtual meetings and created four specialised sub-committees to ensure a robust and practical report.”
