By Faridat Salifu
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, says Nigeria must do more to tackle rising boat accidents and improve safety across its waterways — and that includes introducing coastal guards to support the Navy.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps, Oyetola said the federal government is ready to act on the recommendations presented.
“We commend the Nigerian Navy for the work they’re doing, but they can’t do it alone,” he said.
“It’s time we considered setting up coastal guards to help secure our waters and make sure not just anyone gets on a boat without proper checks.”
Oyetola called the loss of lives in boat mishaps unacceptable and said every life counts.
He added that the government will study the committee’s findings carefully and take steps where changes to policy, oversight, or public behaviour are needed.
One area of concern, he noted, is how casually some passengers treat life jackets.
“Wearing a life jacket should never be optional — it’s essential,” he said.
The Minister also revealed that the government plans to phase out old, unsafe boats that have been linked to fatal accidents and replace them with safer, regulation-compliant alternatives.
He urged state governments to work closely with the federal authorities in enforcing safety standards.
“This isn’t something the federal government can solve on its own. States need to be on board so we can save lives together,” he added.
To support water safety in rural and riverine areas, Oyetola said his ministry has already approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets, and he urged recipients to use them consistently.
The report he received was presented by Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and chairman of the special committee.
Oyebamiji said the committee went beyond its original six-week mandate to ensure it delivered a credible and thorough review.
The final report spans six chapters and covers everything from how boat operations currently work to gaps in regulation, boat design issues, and the limited capacity of key agencies.
It also offers a strategic roadmap to improve safety oversight.
Out of 64 total recommendations, 17 were marked as high priority.
They include setting up a coastal guard, introducing a National Boat Design Policy, making certification and training mandatory for boat operators, boosting NIWA’s funding for hydrographic and engineering work, and creating search-and-rescue stations in high-risk waterway zones.
According to both Oyetola and the committee, the message is clear: Nigeria’s waterways can be made safer — but only with shared responsibility and strong follow-through.
