The Federal Government has initiated different strategies towards putting an end to the incessant fatal boat mishaps that have plagued the nation’s inland waterways, without much successes, as many lives keep getting lost in different parts of her vast waterways network, raising questions over the interventions made so far, writes TOLA ADENUBI.
THE incessant fatal waterways mishaps that have plagued Nigeria’s inland waterways seem not to have an end in sight has another 37 passengers lost their lives last Thursday when their boat, apparently overloaded, hit a wreck along the Gbajigbo Mudi waterways and sank.
The Chief Press Secretary cps to the Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye who confirmed the incident while reacting to inquiry from newsmen, said that the accident happened in Niger state territory, adding that “all the 37 bodies recovered from the river were buried in Niger state.
“The accident happened on Thursday evening while the traders who came to trade in Gbajigbo Mudi were returning home. It happened in Niger state, and all the victims’ bodies recovered from the river were buried in Niger state. That was the reason we kept silent on it, “Ajakaye said.
This is coming less than seven months after a boat accident claimed over 200 lives in Gbajibo in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, raising questions over adherence to the efforts of the Federal Government to curb boat mishaps.
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Government efforts
Exactly one year ago, the Federal Government through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) launched the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, otherwise referred to as the Waterways Transportation Code in Lokoja, Kogi State.
The code was launched to guide boat operators, regulate passenger conduct, and provide a framework for potential investors in water transportation. But while NIWA has deployed 76 Marshalls and 72 Naval officers to police the waterways in Lagos, not much can be said of other States, thus leaving many jetties unmanned and allowing illegal boat operations to persist on the nation’s inland waterways.
Also, in February 2025, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adeboyega Oyetola, took a significant step towards enhancing safety on inland and coastal waterways by inaugurating a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps.
The formal inauguration of the special committee which was performed by Oyetola himself underscored the government’s commitment to protecting lives and fostering a sustainable marine transport system.
Addressing the committee members, the minister emphasized the critical role of Nigeria’s waterways in commerce, transportation, and livelihoods. In the words of Oyetola, “Our waterways are lifelines that connect communities and drive economic growth. However, the frequent tragic boat mishaps across the country have posed significant challenges, resulting in loss of lives and properties. This situation demands urgent intervention.”
He noted that establishment of the special committee was in response to the spate of recent boat mishaps.
The committee, which is chaired by the Managing Director of the NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, comprises representatives of four selected littoral states like Benue , Niger , Kebbi and Kogi states; an academia in the person of Professor Idiba Douglas; a marine safety investigator with the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in the person of Navy Capt. Stan Igwe; a Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) expert with Oando Plc, Mr. Ralph Onoshapkor; and the National Presidents of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) and Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).
While much has not been heard of this committee since its formation four months ago, the recent boat mishaps in Niger State that claimed 37 lives raised questions over the activities of this special committee and whether it is actually working or not.
Again, to forestall incessant loss of lives, Oyetola in April flagged off the distribution of 42,000 life jackets to waterway users across 12 selected riverine states.
The initiative, which kicked off in Minna, Niger State capital, was intended to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps and fatalities in the country.
During the flag-off, Oyetola stressed that each of the beneficiary states would receive 3,500 life jackets in the first phase of the strategic safety intervention by the ministry.
However, the Niger State boat mishap also raised questions over the proper distribution or usage of the life jackets.
Questions begging for answers
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a boat operator who wouldn’t want his name in print, explained that most of the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing boat mishaps is being ignored by many waterways’ users in some of these littoral States.
“Yes, the minister is trying his best but these people up North need more than these interventions. There is need for enforcement of these efforts. It will shock you that many of the beneficiaries of the Life Jackets distributed by the Minister either sold them or abandoned them without using them all the time.
“Again, I was not expecting government to expect everybody to just key into the Waterways Transportation Code rules and regulations. The boat that capsized in Gbajigbo Mudi waterways left an unmanned jetty in the dead of the night.
“Aside the fact that it contravened the time boats can move on the nation’s inland waterways, it got overloaded because it was the last boat departing Gbajigbo Mudi and everybody wanted to get home and boarded the boat, thus overloading the boat in the process.
“The Waterways Transportation Code needs enforcement. Can we have Waterways Marshals in all jetties across the country? Passenger boats are departing unmanned jetties at odd hours and this is what is making boat mishaps difficult to tackle for government.
“Until we begin to efficiently enforce the Waterways Transportation Code, illegal boat operations will not stop taking off from unmanned jetties scattered across the country.
“Also, the Special Committee set up by the Minister in February seems to be sleeping. In the report, the Special Committee was given 21 days to submit their report to the Minister. Have they submitted? What are their findings? Has the Minister responded to their submission? So many questions are begging for answers at this time because lives are being lost on our waterways every week.”
