We are reminded that we must once again address the repeated tragedies of Nigeria’s inland waterways. Over the past five years, more than 1,500 innocent lives have been claimed in avoidable boating accidents across the United States. This tragic trend shows no signs of slowing down, as evidenced by the nearly 300 lives already lost in 2024 alone. From Lagos to Kano and Adamawa to Cross River, this grim statistic is a reminder of the unchecked threats to the safety and livelihoods of Nigerians who depend on our waterways. Yet another avoidable tragedy occurred in Lagos State on Monday, October 7, when two overcrowded boats collided in a lagoon near Imole town in Amuwo-Odofin local government area, leaving three people confirmed dead. , two people went missing. This latest incident is not an isolated incident, but a stark reflection of systemic failures and gross abdication of responsibility by regulators and boat operators.
These constant boating accidents are not just accidents, they are the direct result of negligence, recklessness, and incompetence. Lattling boats, poorly maintained boats, blatant overloading, and appalling disregard for safety regulations are all too common on our waterways. To make matters worse, underwater shipwrecks litter the shipping lanes, creating navigational hazards and further endangering passengers. Despite this frightening situation, the National Inland Waterway Authority (NIWA), the federal agency responsible for enforcing safety standards in inland waters, has demonstrated an alarming lack of ability and will to carry out its mission. has consistently shown. NIWA’s inadequacies are compounded by similar failures at the state level, where local regulatory and safety authorities have largely abdicated their responsibility to ensure safe passage for Nigerians.
“NIWA’s inadequacies are compounded by similar failures at the state level, where local regulatory and safety authorities have largely abdicated their responsibility to ensure the safe passage of Nigerians.”
NIWA’s responsibility in the ongoing boating accident cannot be denied. Year after year, we hear ambitious plans and lofty promises from NIWA officials, but their rhetoric has not yielded tangible results. The authorities’ failure to take decisive action on safety issues can no longer be overlooked. What has NIWA done to ensure that the boats that navigate our waterways are seaworthy? Where are safety protocols in place to prevent overloading and enforce the use of life jackets? Why are operators allowed to continue using boats that are little more than floating death traps? The authorities’ lukewarm response to these pressing issues is inexcusable. NIWA needs action, not empty words. It is clear that without a comprehensive review of both policy and leadership, this institution remains powerless in protecting the lives of Nigerians.
Responsibility for these tragic incidents lies with state safety and regulatory authorities who, like NIWA, failed to adequately enforce safety regulations. These agencies were established to oversee and protect local waterways, but they too have consistently failed in that duty. In a coastal state where boats are an important means of transportation and livelihood for many people, it is unconscionable that authorities would allow such egregious violations of safety standards to continue. Instead of acting proactively, these agencies respond to each new tragedy with the same tired excuses and ineffective platitudes. This dereliction of duty is unacceptable and a betrayal of the public’s trust.
Meanwhile, boat operators have been found to be equally careless, putting profits ahead of passenger safety. Many operating companies deliberately overload their boats far beyond safe limits, ignoring basic safety regulations in search of additional fees. These operators take advantage of the lack of oversight, cut corners, and risk their lives every day. The tragic cost of their recklessness is now painfully clear. It’s time for these operators to be held accountable for putting the lives of people who depend on transportation at risk.
The federal and state governments can no longer remain passive, issuing empty condolences after the fact. The time has come for proactive lifesaving solutions to keep our waterways safe. We must immediately introduce reforms and strong penalties to end this endless cycle of death. First, NIWA must be overhauled and given the power to strictly enforce safety standards. This includes conducting regular inspections to ensure the seaworthiness of all ships and harshly penalizing operators who overload ships or ignore safety regulations. All boats are required to carry sufficient life jackets for all passengers and must be worn at all times.
State governments also need to work with NIWA to comprehensively monitor the entirety of Nigeria’s inland waterways and step up to meet their regulatory responsibilities. Shipwrecks and other obstacles in the water that endanger navigation must be removed.
Boat operators also need to be aware of their role in this crisis. Profit cannot be prioritized at the expense of human life. We call for a mandatory training program for all boat operators that focuses on safety regulations, emergency procedures, and basic maintenance standards. Many of these operators have no formal training, further exacerbating the dangers faced by passengers. Establishing an accredited training program ensures that all operators have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe transportation. At the same time, ship operators who repeatedly violate safety regulations should be banned from operating and their ships confiscated or retired to prevent further danger.
Additionally, governments should invest in a national awareness campaign on water safety, targeting both passengers and operators. Information about the importance of using life jackets, adhering to capacity limits, and other precautions should be widely disseminated. Awareness campaigns conducted in local languages and through various media channels will ensure that rural areas are informed about water safety. In this way, passengers themselves can be empowered to refuse dangerous activities, thereby contributing to a safety culture on waterways.
Nigeria’s inland waterways also need technological and infrastructure enhancements. More navigational aids, such as buoys and beacons, should be installed to mark dangerous areas and provide a clear route for boats. Increasing investment in dredging and removal operations will significantly improve waterway safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents. In addition, maritime safety authorities need to increase their presence on busy waterways so they can respond quickly to emergencies and enforce regulations on the ground.
Finally, we must address the issue of accountability. Each boating tragedy is accompanied by a flurry of media reports, official statements, and promises of reform. But as soon as the spotlight goes off, so does the urgency to take action. To ensure lasting change, the federal government should establish an independent oversight body to investigate all serious shipping incidents, publish its findings, and recommend corrective actions. This body should have the power to hold NIWA and operators accountable for safety lapses and to impose fines and other penalties on those who fail to comply with safety standards. Such an agency would act as a watchdog, ensuring that safety remains a top priority and that those who put their lives at risk are held accountable.
The lives lost in these waterway disasters are more than just statistics. They are human beings with families, hopes, and futures. Nigerian lives should not be sacrificed to systemic incompetence, indifference and greed. It is time for all stakeholders, including NIWA, national institutions and ship operators, to take responsibility and end the epidemic of deadly shipping accidents. Nigerians must demand a comprehensive review of waterway safety regulations, enforcement and education. Let this be a call to action. Because if we continue to do nothing, we will all be complicit in the next tragedy.
Dr. Bolaji Akinola is a maritime expert and CEO of Ships & Ports.
