The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has renewed his call on state governments across the federation to urgently ban wooden boats for commercial water transportation and replace them with safer, modern fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium vessels.
The Minister made the call following a spate of tragic boat accidents across the country, which have resulted in multiple fatalities and plunged several families into grief. Oyetola expressed deep sympathy with the victims and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
Describing the recurring incidents as “painful, avoidable and unacceptable”, the Minister said they clearly expose the urgent need to address the root causes of accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
“These tragedies underscore the danger of continuing to rely on unsafe and outdated wooden boats.
“We must act decisively to protect lives”, he said.
Oyetola also urged waterway users to take personal responsibility for their safety by adhering strictly to established safety protocols. He warned against night travel, which often involves poor visibility and increased risk, and advised passengers to insist on wearing approved life jackets at all times.
“Passengers must refuse to board rickety or overloaded boats,” he cautioned. “No journey is worth your life. Avoid night travel, wear life jackets, and always prioritise safety”.
According to the Minister, the persistent use of poorly constructed and inadequately maintained wooden boats, particularly in riverine states remains one of the leading causes of waterway accidents. He explained that such boats deteriorate rapidly due to constant exposure to water, resulting in cracks, leakages and structural failure, especially when overloaded or operated in harsh weather.
“Wooden boats lack stability, capsize easily and often have no safety features,” he said. “In many cases, they are operated outside proper regulation, placing passengers at grave risk”.
Oyetola noted that fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium boats offer a safer alternative, stressing that they are more durable, stable and resistant to corrosion.
“These modern vessels are stronger, more reliable and easier to maintain”, he explained.
“They provide better balance and buoyancy, significantly reducing the risk of sudden failure, and can be fitted with essential safety equipment”.
Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to waterway safety, the Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states in 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen safety awareness and preparedness.
“Despite these interventions, boat mishaps continue largely because unsafe wooden boats are still in use”, he said. “This is why we are appealing to state governments to complement federal efforts by investing in modern boats and ensuring the provision of standard life jackets for all water transport passengers”.
Oyetola stressed that safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways requires collective action and strong political will at all levels of government.
“Water transportation is a vital pillar of our blue economy. But it must be safe, well-regulated and sustainable. Together, we can end these avoidable tragedies and protect the lives of our citizens”, he urged.