The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) have blamed the recent boat mishap along the Igbologun water channel on the actions of a non-compliant operator, despite sustained investments in training and retraining of boat drivers across Lagos waterways.
The accident, which occurred at about 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, near the Nigerdock axis, involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat travelling from Ilashe Beach House.
As of the time of filing this report, four passengers had been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention, while six others were recovered dead. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved.
According to the waterways authorities, the incident has once again highlighted the danger posed by a few boat operators who deliberately operate outside the established safety ecosystem. LASWA and NIWA noted that significant public resources have been committed to continuous training, retraining, and certification of boat drivers and skippers, with emphasis on navigation discipline, safety compliance, and the enforcement of the no-night-travel policy.
Preliminary investigations suggest that human error played a major role in the mishap, with indications that the operator involved failed to adhere to safety standards and operational guidelines taught during mandatory training sessions.
Officials recalled that only recently, regulators, operators, and safety stakeholders converged in Badore for intensive capacity-building programmes designed to reinforce best practices and reduce avoidable accidents on the waterways. They stressed that while most operators have embraced these trainings, the actions of a few notorious drivers continue to undermine safety efforts.
LASWA and NIWA expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reaffirmed their commitment to a thorough investigation. The authorities warned that sanctions would be applied where negligence or deliberate non-compliance is established, adding that enforcement would be intensified to prevent a recurrence.
They further urged all boat operators to fully submit to the training and regulatory framework, stressing that adherence remains critical to safeguarding lives and sustaining the gains already recorded in waterways safety.
