Oyetola Urges States To Join FG In Stopping Deadly Boat Accidents

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on state governments across Nigeria to work closely with the Federal Government to reduce the growing number of boat accidents on the country’s waterways.

He made this appeal in Abuja after receiving the report from the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.

Oyetola explained that solving the problem of boat mishaps cannot be done by the Federal Government alone. He stressed that preventing these accidents requires strong teamwork between federal and state governments, along with strict policy enforcement and better safety habits from water transport users.

He described the current rate of boat accidents as alarming and preventable. Oyetola said safety on water must go beyond policy and become a shared responsibility, pointing out that every life lost to such accidents is one too many. He promised that the government would carefully study the committee’s recommendations and act where necessary to improve coordination and safety standards.

Part of the ministry’s plan includes removing unsafe, poorly maintained boats from operation and replacing them with safer ones that meet national standards. The minister also announced a nationwide life jacket distribution programme, targeting riverine and coastal communities. He urged recipients to use them regularly and correctly to avoid further loss of lives.

The 16-member committee, led by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, had been set up in February 2025 to examine the root causes of recurring boat mishaps and recommend long-term solutions. The team went beyond its initial six-week timeline to ensure a thorough report.

Their findings, presented in a six-chapter report, reveal gaps in safety rules, vessel standards, and institutional capacity. The committee put forward 64 suggestions, with 17 marked as most urgent. These include forming a Coastal Guard to enforce safety rules, creating a National Boat Design Policy to guide which boats are approved for use, and making formal training and certification mandatory for all boat operators.

Other key proposals include giving NIWA more funds to boost its technical operations and building search and rescue stations at key waterway points to speed up emergency responses.

Oyebamiji thanked the minister and the committee members for their support and contributions. He said both in-person and virtual meetings were held to ensure the report was detailed and practical, with four sub-committees helping shape the final document.

This report is expected to become a key part of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” especially in the drive for a safer and more sustainable marine sector. Committee members include experts in maritime safety, law, engineering, and policy.