In response to the rising number of fatal boat mishaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Federal Government has pledged sweeping reforms aimed at overhauling maritime safety standards. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made this known in Abuja on Friday while receiving the official report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.
Oyetola, a former Osun State governor, emphasized that the government would not tolerate the continued loss of lives due to preventable water transport incidents. He stated that the report presented would serve as a roadmap for both immediate interventions and long-term maritime policy reforms.
“The current spate of boat mishaps is unacceptable and preventable. The safety of our citizens on water is not just a policy responsibility; it is a moral duty. Every life lost is one too many,” the minister declared.
According to Oyetola, the government is set to implement the phasing out of unseaworthy and substandard boats, a common cause of accidents. These rickety vessels will be replaced with safer, standard-compliant alternatives in a bid to reduce the frequency and severity of boat mishaps.
He also announced the nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities—an intervention aimed at promoting a culture of safety and preparedness. Oyetola stressed that the correct and consistent use of life jackets would now be enforced as a non-negotiable standard across all water transport routes.
“Attitudinal change is critical. Safety gear like life jackets must be seen as essential, not optional,” he added.
The minister appealed to state governments and sub-national stakeholders to actively support federal efforts in regulating and monitoring water transportation.
“The fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the Federal Government alone. We urge state authorities to align with these reforms by enforcing local safety standards and partnering in saving lives,” he said.
The Special Committee, inaugurated in February 2025, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s inland water transport system. The committee’s chairman, Bola Oyebamiji, who also serves as the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), presented a detailed six-chapter report containing 64 recommendations.
According to Oyebamiji, the committee’s findings addressed:
Gaps in regulatory enforcement
Design and construction standards of boats
Institutional capacity of relevant agencies
Safety oversight mechanisms
Among the key proposals are 17 highlighted action points, including modernized training for boat operators, compulsory vessel inspections, enhanced passenger manifest protocols, and the introduction of real-time emergency response infrastructure across major inland waterways.
“We exceeded our initial six-week timeline to ensure the report was thorough, evidence-based, and implementable. We hope our findings will serve as a blueprint for long-term water transport safety,” Oyebamiji said.
He commended Minister Oyetola for his leadership and the ministry’s willingness to act on the recommendations without delay.
The renewed focus on maritime safety comes amid a disturbing rise in boat accidents in Nigeria’s riverine regions, particularly in the South-South, South-East, and parts of the North Central. Many of these incidents have been attributed to poor safety compliance, vessel overloading, night-time operations without navigation aids, and lack of operator training.
With the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy positioning safety at the core of its agenda, experts say Nigeria is finally taking a structured and strategic approach to reducing fatalities and promoting confidence in water transport as a viable alternative for mobility and logistics.
The minister assured Nigerians that implementation of reforms will begin immediately, particularly those that do not require legislative amendments.