By Oluyinka Onigbinde
Nigeria’s inland waterways are once again under scrutiny as a review of reported boat accidents by Shipping Position Daily shows that fatalities from major boat mishaps rose by about 63 per cent in the first half of 2026 compared with the corresponding period of 2025, despite intensified safety campaigns by the Federal Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
The review, which covered January to June of both years, showed that at least four major boat accidents were reported across the country in the first six months of 2026, resulting in 44 confirmed deaths and 14 persons still missing.
By contrast, the corresponding period in 2025 recorded one major fatal boat accident in which 27 people lost their lives.
The trend has renewed concerns over the effectiveness of safety enforcement on Nigeria’s waterways, particularly as operators continue to flout regulations on overloading, life jacket usage and night navigation.
An analysis of the incidents shows that the deadliest accident this year occurred on January 3, when a passenger boat conveying 52 market traders, farmers and fishermen capsized on the Yobe River in Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.
The accident claimed 25 lives, while 14 passengers were declared missing. Only 13 occupants were rescued alive. Emergency officials attributed the tragedy to the dangers that continue to plague inland water transportation, including poor safety practices and the absence of adequate protective measures.
Barely weeks later, another tragedy struck Lagos waterways when a passenger boat travelling from Ilashe Beach collided with a submerged object along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel during a night voyage.
The accident left six passengers dead, while four others were rescued, once again drawing attention to the risks associated with operating outside approved navigation hours.
In June, another wooden passenger boat capsized on the River Benue near Makurdi during heavy rainfall and strong winds, killing 11 passengers.
A few days later, another accident in Rivers State claimed two more lives, bringing the total fatalities from the major reported accidents in the first half of the year to 44.
The rising casualty figure comes despite repeated assurances by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA that stricter enforcement measures would reduce accidents on inland waterways.
Earlier this year, NIWA announced plans to strengthen safety enforcement, increase patrol operations and invest about ₦16 billion in boats and operational equipment. The Authority also intensified its nationwide “No Life Jacket, No Travel” campaign and reiterated its ban on night navigation except under special approval.
The Federal Government had equally constituted a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps, following the recurring loss of lives on inland waterways.
However, maritime stakeholders say compliance remains weak.
Investigations indicate that many commercial boats still operate without adequate life jackets, exceed approved passenger capacity and embark on night journeys in violation of NIWA regulations, particularly in rural communities where enforcement is limited.
A comparison of the two periods further reveals that while the number of major reported accidents increased from one to four, the geographical spread also widened.
Whereas the major fatal incident during the first half of 2025 occurred in Kwara State, this year’s accidents were recorded in Yobe, Lagos, Benue and Rivers states, suggesting that the safety challenge is becoming more widespread rather than being confined to a few inland river corridors.
In a chat with our correspondent, Akande Oladipo a boat operator argue that the recurring tragedies point to deeper structural problems, including inadequate enforcement, ageing wooden boats, poor operator training, weak passenger compliance with life jacket requirements and the absence of emergency rescue facilities in many riverine communities.
He also note that while government agencies have stepped up awareness campaigns, enforcement at local jetties remains inconsistent, allowing unsafe practices to continue.
Available records show that boat accidents continue to claim hundreds of lives annually in Nigeria, particularly during the rainy season when rising water levels, stronger currents and increased reliance on water transportation heighten the risks. Overloading, poor maintenance, adverse weather and non-compliance with safety regulations remain the leading causes of most accidents.
With the country now entering the peak rainy season when waterway accidents historically increase stakeholders have urged the Federal Government, NIWA and state waterway authorities to move beyond awareness campaigns and intensify enforcement, prosecute erring operators and expand access to certified life jackets.
Our correspondent notes that the statistics from the first half of 2026 suggest that despite increased public awareness and policy interventions, Nigeria’s inland waterways remain dangerously unsafe, leaving passengers vulnerable as they depend on boats for daily transportation and commerce.
