The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has vowed that the Federal Government would implement sweeping reforms to improve maritime safety to end recurring boat accidents on the nation’s waterways.
In a statement on Friday, Oyetola stated this in Abuja when he received the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria. Oyetola reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to making Nigerian waters safe for all users.
He declared that 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 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.”
According to him, the report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. “We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required,” he said.
Oyetola stressed the urgent need for attitudinal change among water transport users, especially regarding the use of life jackets, describing such safety gear as non-negotiable. “The Federal Government is set to phase out rickety boats, often implicated in fatal accidents, and replace them with safer, standard-compliant alternatives,” he stated.
Oyetola appealed to state governments and other sub-national authorities to align with federal initiatives, stating, “The fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the Federal Government alone. We call on state governments to collaborate with us in enforcing standards and saving lives.”
The former Osun State governor also said he recently approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as part of a strategic intervention to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps and related fatalities.
He urged the beneficiaries to prioritise safety by consistently and correctly using the life jackets whenever they travel on water.
The Committee Chairman and Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, presented the detailed report to the Minister, outlining its structure and key findings. Speaking at the event, Oyebamiji said that the committee exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a thorough and credible outcome.
“The report, comprising six chapters, includes detailed analyses of current operations, regulatory gaps, design standards, and institutional capacity. It also proposes a comprehensive plan to enhance safety and oversight.
Among the 64 recommendations reviewed by four technical sub-committees, 17 key proposals were highlighted in the final chapter,” he said.
Oyebamiji expressed gratitude to Oyetola for his support and to the committee members for their commitment and sacrifices. “We adopted both physical and virtual meetings and created four specialised sub-committees to ensure a robust and practical report. We hope our findings serve as a blueprint for lasting safety in the sector,” he added.
The 16-member special committee, inaugurated by the minister on February 27, 2025, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
