The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has vowed that the federal government would implement sweeping reforms to improve maritime safety.
Oyetola made the vow on Friday in Abuja, when he received the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to making Nigerian waters safe for all users.
The minister 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 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. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required.”
Minister 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.
He further revealed that the Federal Government is set to phase out rickety boats, often implicated in fatal accidents, and replace them with safer, standard-compliant alternatives.
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 Minister 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 16-member Special Committee, inaugurated by the Minister on 27th February 2025, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
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 expressed gratitude to the Minister 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 committee’s members include maritime safety experts, academics, engineers, legal practitioners, and policy professionals. They include Dr. Dayo Moberuola, Prof. S. Abiodun, Dr. Babatunde Olaosebikan, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, Hadiza Idris Kuta, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, Attahiru Maccido and Denis Tar Iyaghigba. Others are Gani Tarzan Balogun, Capt. Stan Chucka Igwe, Raiph Onoshakpor, Prof. Ibiba Douglas, Richard Ntan, Babatope Fajemirokun and Ofie Adams
