The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has launched its 2025 Waterways Safety Sensitisation Campaign with a detailed, multi-faceted approach to improving water transport safety across Lagos waterways. The campaign kicked off with the distribution of free, certified life jackets at major jetties and riverine communities, including Falomo, Ijede, Sangotedo, Badore, Ito-Omu, Tarzan, Baiyeku, Ebute Ero, Sabonkoji, Temidire, Liverpool, Ipakodo, Ibeshe, and Ijede jetties along the Ikorodu axis. This extensive coverage ensures that key water transport points are reached with safety gear and information.
The campaign includes live demonstrations on proper life jacket usage and emergency response procedures. LASWA officials also engage ferry passengers, boat operators, and community members in interactive safety talks to emphasize the authority’s strict “No Life Jacket, No Boarding” policy. This policy is aimed at reducing fatal boat mishaps, particularly during the peak rainy season when waterway risks—such as high tides, wind surges, and reduced visibility—are elevated.
In addition to life jackets, LASWA distributed branded safety materials like leaflets, safety souvenirs, pens, and notebooks to reinforce safety awareness and compliance. The authority educates commuters about essential safety precautions, such as how to handle emergencies and wear life jackets correctly.
The campaign is part of a broader federal and state government collaboration. The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, has distributed 3,500 life jackets to LASWA as part of a nationwide initiative to promote a culture of water safety, especially in riverine communities dependent on water transport. The initiative focuses on strict enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, continuous public education, and the provision of life-saving equipment.
Key stakeholders, including community leaders, boat operators, ferry associations, and transport unions, are called upon to champion safety compliance at the grassroots level. Lagos State’s Commissioner for Transportation highlighted the campaign’s role in integrating water transport into the state’s multi-modal transport system, helping ease road congestion and boosting public confidence in waterways.
Passengers and local communities have praised LASWA for its consistent safety advocacy and outreach efforts, which are increasingly reaching underserved riverine areas. The campaign also aligns with LASWA’s ongoing efforts to map waterways for better navigation safety and to partner with environmental agencies to clear debris and water hyacinth, further improving the water transport environment.
Overall, LASWA’s 2025 Waterways Safety Sensitisation Campaign combines equipment distribution, education, enforcement, and stakeholder collaboration to foster a safer, more confident water transport culture in Lagos State, addressing a critical need to reduce avoidable accidents and save lives on Nigeria’s inland waterways