The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has rolled out fresh safety measures to further reduce accidents and strengthen enforcement across Nigeria’s inland waterways. The development follows recent boat mishaps across some states that sparked concerns about safety standards on the nation’s waters.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to safer marine transportation, stressing that the welfare of passengers remains a top priority.
He recalled that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed the current management in October 2023, NIWA had implemented reforms and initiatives that have cut accidents and fatalities on the waterways by more than 70 percent.
Among the milestones, Oyebamiji highlighted the gazetting of the long-awaited Water Transportation Code within the first six months of the administration, the commissioning of new facilities such as the NIWA Clinic in Lokoja, and the deployment of additional patrol boats, water ambulances, and survey vessels. He also noted that the number of Water Marshals enforcing compliance across the country has risen from 80 to 350.
To ensure passenger safety, NIWA introduced a manifest system at recognised jetties and enforced the “No Lifejacket, No Boarding” regulation. The Authority also reactivated Search and Rescue Stations, reducing emergency response time to under 30 minutes, while taking safety awareness campaigns to more than 300 riverine communities in 2025.
On navigation, NIWA has installed marine buoys along the Lower and Upper Niger, carried out hydrographic surveys covering 624 kilometres between Warri and Baro Port, and intensified the removal of wrecks and aquatic waste to ensure safer channels.
Collaboration with state governments has also been strengthened. Oyebamiji disclosed that some states, including Niger State, have begun providing ferries and lifejackets for citizens in line with a communiqué adopted at a 2024 stakeholders’ meeting. He also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, whose Ministry has supported NIWA with the distribution of over 45,000 lifejackets across 12 states in the past four months.
Looking ahead, NIWA plans to deepen collaboration with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy to enforce the ban on night sailing, overloading, and use of unlicensed boats. As part of immediate directives, NIWA has banned loading from unauthorised points, ordered all commercial operators to provide lifejackets, and mandated that boats display their names and load lines.
The NIWA boss further renewed his call for the establishment of Coastal Guards for inland waterways, describing it as a critical enforcement tool.
“The safety of Nigerians on the waterways is a national duty requiring collective efforts. With innovation and renewed commitment, we have reduced accidents by more than 70 percent, but we must do more. Strengthening collaboration with states and security agencies will bring us closer to achieving accident-free waterways” Oyebamiji said.
