The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has unveiled a series of strict safety measures aimed at tackling the surge in boat accidents across Nigeria, including an outright ban on all unauthorized loading points.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, detailed the Authority’s efforts since October 2023 to improve waterway safety. These include the introduction of the Water Transportation Code, deployment of 350 water marshals, mandatory passenger manifests at registered jetties, and the establishment of rapid-response search and rescue stations that now reach emergencies within 30 minutes.
In 2025 alone, NIWA has extended safety awareness to over 300 riverine communities through grassroots campaigns. The Authority has also upgraded navigational safety by installing buoys, conducting hydrographic surveys along more than 600 kilometers of waterways, and clearing wrecks to ensure safer routes.
Oyebamiji praised the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Dr. Gboyega Oyetola, for distributing over 45,000 standard lifejackets across 12 states. These combined efforts have resulted in a 70% drop in inland waterway accidents over the past year.
To sustain this progress, NIWA is enforcing immediate rules: banning all illegal loading points nationwide; requiring lifejackets for all passengers; compulsory display of boat names and load lines; removal of unlicensed boats and operators; and partnering with riverine states to support safety campaigns, training, and updated ferry fleets.
Oyebamiji urged the National Assembly to create Coastal Guards to strengthen enforcement and safeguard further improvements. “We are committed to making Nigeria’s waterways safer and eliminating accidents,” he affirmed.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, detailed the Authority’s efforts since October 2023 to improve waterway safety. These include the introduction of the Water Transportation Code, deployment of 350 water marshals, mandatory passenger manifests at registered jetties, and the establishment of rapid-response search and rescue stations that now reach emergencies within 30 minutes.
In 2025 alone, NIWA has extended safety awareness to over 300 riverine communities through grassroots campaigns. The Authority has also upgraded navigational safety by installing buoys, conducting hydrographic surveys along more than 600 kilometers of waterways, and clearing wrecks to ensure safer routes.
Oyebamiji praised the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Dr. Gboyega Oyetola, for distributing over 45,000 standard lifejackets across 12 states. These combined efforts have resulted in a 70% drop in inland waterway accidents over the past year.
To sustain this progress, NIWA is enforcing immediate rules: banning all illegal loading points nationwide; requiring lifejackets for all passengers; compulsory display of boat names and load lines; removal of unlicensed boats and operators; and partnering with riverine states to support safety campaigns, training, and updated ferry fleets.
Oyebamiji urged the National Assembly to create Coastal Guards to strengthen enforcement and safeguard further improvements. “We are committed to making Nigeria’s waterways safer and eliminating accidents,” he affirmed.