Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has renewed calls on state governments to immediately ban the use of wooden boats for commercial waterway transportation, citing their role in the rising number of fatal boat accidents across the country.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola, the minister described the recurring waterway tragedies as “painful and unacceptable,” stressing that urgent steps must be taken to protect lives.
Oyetola advocated a transition from wooden boats to safer and more durable alternatives such as fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) and aluminium boats, which he said offer greater stability, strength and safety for passengers.
“Waterway users must refuse to board rickety or overloaded boats. No journey is worth risking your life,” the minister warned, adding that many of the accidents are preventable if basic safety standards are observed.
He noted that wooden boats deteriorate rapidly, developing cracks and leaks that make them unstable and prone to capsizing, especially when overloaded or operated at night. According to him, many of such boats are deployed without proper regulation or safety equipment.
By contrast, Oyetola said FRP and aluminium boats are stronger, easier to maintain, and better suited for modern safety requirements. “These boats have better balance and buoyancy and can conveniently accommodate essential safety equipment,” he said.
The minister also urged passengers to take personal responsibility for their safety by insisting on the availability and use of quality life jackets, avoiding night travel due to poor visibility, and shunning operators who overload vessels or disregard safety rules.
While commiserating with families who have lost loved ones in recent boat accidents, Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to improving safety on Nigeria’s waterways. He recalled that in 2025 alone, the Federal Government distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states as part of efforts to reduce fatalities.
Despite these interventions, he lamented that accidents have continued to occur, calling on state governments to complement federal efforts by investing in modern boat fleets and enforcing strict safety regulations.
“Water transportation is critical to our blue economy, but it must be safe, regulated and sustainable. Together, across all tiers of government, we can put an end to these avoidable tragedies,” the minister said.
He emphasised that collaboration between the federal and state governments, boat operators and waterway users remains key to ensuring safer inland water transport and protecting lives nationwide.
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