Recent directives by the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to address causes of boat accidents and deaths in Nigeria came after more than 500 lives were lost within Nigerian inland waterways from January 2024 to September 2025.
A recent JournalNG figure computation on boat accidents on Nigerian waterways indicates that from January 2024 to September 2025 , 517 persons died before the present leadership of NIWA stepped up on it’s responsibility to put a stop to the avoidable deaths
NIWA’s recent move, though laudable, is coming after the authority slept on its duties to achieve safety through regulation beyond the donation of life jackets to some communities.
The authority did not stop unregistered crafts from operating from jetties not approved, thereby leaving the inland waterways space to lesser degree of accountability
Bola Oyebamiji, the Managing Director of NIWA, at a news conference to address concerns surrounding boat mishaps issued directives aimed at stopping the trend
Oyebamiji , according to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, sought for the passage of the Coastal Guards Bill to enhance water safety and curb boat mishaps, this was despite not quickly working with the Marine Police to achieve preventive enforcement against marine accidents.
Some stakeholders who commended NIWA’s donation of life jackets also faulted the authority for inability to enforce usage and prevent unsafe practices of overloaded crafts, unserviceable outboard engines, night traveling, illegal jetty operations and other practices that have led to loss of life on inland waters within the country
Oyebamiji recently stated that no commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA.
Oyebamiji said that all unlicensed boat drivers and operators were banned from operating any boats or watercraft on waterways.
He reiterated NIWA’s commitment to safe waterways, especially through its continuous removal of aquatic waste, logs, wrecks and other impediments from waterways that could hinder safe navigation.
He said that NIWA had increased the number of its water marshals from 80 personnel to 350 personnel.
According to him, this is to ensure that safety tips are given to passengers before departure and to reinforce strict enforcement of the “No Life Jacket, No Boarding” regulations.
Oyebamiji said that passenger manifests had also been deployed to its area offices across the country to record passenger information at the recognised jetties and loading points for administrative purposes.
The NIWA boss said that the authority had installed marine navigational buoys and conducted hydrographic survey, as well as intensified training of boat operators.
He said that all these were to ensure safe water channels, safe navigations and to prevent boat mishaps and protect lives and properties.
He attributed the recent successful rescue of water accidents to the use of lifejackets and the reactivated rescue teams and stations which had improved emergency response time to less than 30 minutes.
He, however, stressed the need for the establishment of a coastal guard law to improve and enhance monitoring of waterways and rapid response to accidents and mishaps.
“Based on the innovations and renewed commitment to our mandates, NIWA has reduced the rate of accidents and deaths on the inland waterways by more than 70 per cent compared to the previous years.
“But we can do more if the proposed Coastal Guards for Inland Waterways is established and operational.
“The authority believes that an important operational tool, such as the Coastal Guards, will go a long way in strengthening its enforcement drive for better results,” he said.
The NIWA boss said that plans were underway to collaborate with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy, particularly as it relates to the enforcement of the ban on overloading and night sailing.
He called for collaborations with riverine state governments on safety campaigns, training of boat operators and drivers, procurement and distribution of life jackets, provision of landing platforms and deployment of modern passenger ferries.
He said that NIWA would continue to engage with the subnationals, particularly in the area of training for boat operators, safety awareness, and provision of worthy passenger ferries.
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Stories of Avoidable Deaths: A Chronology of Some Marine Accidents With Casualty Figures in Nigerian Waterways
A List of Boat Accidents That Have Occurred in 2024-2025
Eight persons were confirmed dead in a boat accident at River Niger, around Mmiata in Anambra state on 7th January, 2024.The boat had 50 passengers on board.
20 people died in a boat accident in Rivers State.The accident which involved two boats occurred in Andoni Local Government Area of the state on 9th January, 2024.
On February 21st, 2024, a ferry boat which had 17 passengers on board collided with a submerged shoreline concrete at a construction site around the power line corridor at the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge.One person died and one person was confirmed missing.
On 26th February, 2024, 3 passengers out of 14 died in a boat accident along Ibeshe/Ikorodu.
A three-deck wooden boat with over 250 passengers capsized in Rivers State on 28th April, 2024 after encountering stormy waves and collided with a rock.Due to the prompt response of the Nigerian Navy, no life was lost.The Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Adams Aliu stated that the boat was overloaded, lacked any life saving equipment on board and none of the passengers wore life jacket.
18 persons were confirmed dead in a boat accident that occured between Ezetu 1 and Ukubie communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state on 7th August, 2024.The accident occurred due to explosion of the boat engine.
Five persons died in a boat accident which conveyed 20 passengers around Gamoda River in Nahuce Village, Taura Local Government Area, Jigawa state on August 8, 2024.
On the 11th of August, 2024, four passengers out of 24 lost their lives in a boat accident at Dundaye community area of Sokoto state.
On 20th August, 2024, a boat conveying 16 passengers capsized in Madobi Local Government Area of Kano state and four passengers died.The accident occurred due to overloading as the boat was loaded with bags of rice alongside the passengers.
41 people died in a wooden boat accident on a river in Zamfara State.The wooden boat capsized when it was transporting 53 farmers across the river to their farmlands close to the Gunmi town on 15th September, 2024.
About 60 persons were confirmed dead on 1st October after a boat conveying about 300 persons capsized in the Gbajibo, Mokwa LGA of Niger state. The boat, which was said to be overloaded, was conveying passengers from the Mundi community to Gbajibo to mark the Mawlid celebration.
Ninety persons were also confirmed dead in a boat accident on 3rd October in Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaiama LGA of Kwara state. On 8th October, 2024 , a boat collision reportedly killed five persons sailing from Ebutte Ero to the Badagry area of Lagos.
A boat mishap along Bennett Island in Warri South LGA was said to have claimed the lives of five persons on November 27, 2024 .
On November 29 , 2024, 22 people were confirmed dead in the boat accident that occurred in the Agaie LGA of Niger state.
The victims, mostly farmers and traders, were said to be sailing from Kogi state to the Katcha weekly market.
On December 16, 2024 about 20 people died after a boat conveying passengers capsized in Agatu LGA of Benue state.
Four people were confirmed dead when a passenger boat travelling from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State capsized on 26th January, 2025. The incident was caused by a storm at an area called ‘Yellow Platform” near Bonny Island at about 5 pm. The boat was said to have ferried 22 passengers from the Bonny/Nembe/Bille Waterfront Jetty in Port Harcourt.
On May 18, 2025 in Kwara State (Gbajibo-Mudi, Kaiama LGA) ,an overloaded local boat returning from a market trip in Niger State capsized at night during a storm with 27 confirmed dead .
On May 12, 2025, in Warri South, Delta State . Two speedboats carrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony collided and capsized. 5 people died, 20 others were missing and 6 survivors were rescued (some were injured).
On June 1, 2025 inUmunkama village, Obingwa / Ugwunagbo area), Abia State, a
wooden canoe capsized while attempting to cross the river. The 5 victims were mourners on their way to a burial ceremony.
Seven people lost their lives in a canoe accident on Monday, June 2, 2025, while traveling from Gidan Husaini to Gwargawu village in Kambama Ward, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
According to the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the tragedy occurred near Rinaye village when a canoe carrying nine passengers overturned while attempting to cross a river.
In Yauri (town market river-bank), Kebbi State a canoe capsized during market activity. 4 people died with several others rescued.
On June 29 , 2025 in Lagos Lagoon (Badore-Ijede / between Badore and Egbin, Ikorodu) A small boat (fibre boat) capsized mid-sea after being hit by severe waves. The boat which was overloaded travelled at night. 12 bodies were recovered, 5 were missing and there were 3 survivors.
In July alone, Nigeria recorded at least 4 major boat mishaps across Delta, Niger (2 incidents), and Jigawa States, with a combined death toll of over 50 lives.
In August 17, 2025 in Goronyo LGA, Sokoto State, a boat carrying over 50 passengers, motorcycles, and goods capsized on its way to Goronyo Market . The cause of the accident was reported to be overloading and possible water currents from a dam. 25 passengers were rescued alive, about 25 were missing.
On August 23, 2025, in Sabon-Birni LGA, Sokoto State (Garin-Faji village), another mishap separate from Goronyo incident happened .A local passenger boat capsized while crossing a channel. 6 people died, 3 were missing and 19 were rescued.
At least 60 people died and dozens more were rescued after a boat carrying more than 100 passengers capsized on 3rd september , 2025 in Niger State. According to local officials, the vessel departed from the town of Tungan Sule in Malale district and was heading towards the town of Dugga on Nigeria’s Kainji reservoir. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said that the incident occurred when a vessel struck a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area.
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