The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has renewed calls on state governments to phase out wooden boats used for commercial transportation and invest in safer, modern fibre and aluminium vessels to reduce recurring accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The appeal follows a series of recent boat mishaps that claimed several lives across riverine communities. In a statement issued on Sunday by his media adviser, the minister expressed sympathy with affected families and described the incidents as avoidable tragedies driven largely by unsafe vessels and weak adherence to safety standards.
He stressed that continued reliance on wooden boats remains one of the major causes of waterway accidents, noting that such vessels deteriorate rapidly due to constant exposure to water and harsh weather conditions. According to him, cracks, leakages and structural failure are common, especially when boats are overloaded or poorly maintained.
He explained that fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium boats offer better durability, balance and buoyancy, making them more suitable for commercial operations. These boats, he said, are stronger, easier to maintain and can be fitted with essential safety equipment, significantly reducing the risk of capsizing or sudden breakage.
Beyond government action, the minister urged passengers and operators to take personal responsibility for safety by avoiding night travel, insisting on the use of approved life jackets and refusing to board rickety or overloaded boats. He emphasised that no journey is worth risking human lives.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to safer waterways, he disclosed that the ministry distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states in 2025 as part of efforts to improve safety awareness and emergency preparedness. However, he noted that accidents continue to occur because unsafe boats remain in use despite these interventions.
He called on state governments to complement federal efforts by investing directly in modern boats for commercial use within their jurisdictions and ensuring that standard life jackets are available to all passengers. According to him, improving water transport safety requires political will and coordinated action at all levels of government.
The minister described water transportation as a critical part of Nigeria’s emerging blue economy, adding that it must be safe, regulated and sustainable to support economic activity in riverine communities. Safer waterways, he said, would not only save lives but also protect the livelihoods of small transport operators, traders and coastal businesses that depend on water transport for daily commerce.
