FG adopts new strategies to tackle boat mishaps

The Federal Government is set to adopt new strategies aimed at curbing the rising boat mishaps across Nigeria.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, made this known in Abuja while receiving the report on Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria on Friday, August 1, 2025.

The report was presented by the special committee set up by the government to tackle the rising cases of boat mishaps across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

A 16-member special committee was inaugurated in February to conduct a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria.

The committee was also saddled with the responsibility of identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable lasting solutions.

Oyetola, who stated that the federal government was ready to implement the safety reports, stressed the need for improved surveillance, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, and investment in modern infrastructure to safeguard lives and properties.

Oyetola said the current spate of boat mishaps was unacceptable and preventable, and must be tackled through a blend of policy enforcement, stakeholder cooperation, and behavioural change.

The minister said: “The safety of our citizens on water is not just a policy responsibility; it is a moral duty; every life lost in a boat mishap is one too many.

“This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms.”

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He added that the government would study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required.

Oyetola also called for attitudinal change among water transport users, especially regarding the use of life jackets, describing such safety gear as non-negotiable.

He urged the riverine and coastal beneficiaries of the over 42,000 distributed life-jackets to prioritise safety by consistently and correctly using them during water transportation.

Oyetola disclosed that the federal government was set to phase out rickety boats and replace them with safer and standard-compliant alternatives.

The minister also appealed to state governments and other sub-national authorities to align with the federal government’s initiatives against boat mishaps, especially in the enforcement of safety standards.

Speaking, the Committee Chairman and Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, said the committee exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a thorough and credible outcome.

Oyebamiji explained that the recommendations were based on intense and wide consultations with stakeholders in the maritime sub-sector, including boat operators, regulatory agencies, and the affected communities.

The Star