In a significant development for Nigeria’s often-tragic inland waterways, boat operators have publicly endorsed recent federal safety initiatives, signaling a potential turning point in the fight against preventable accidents. The commendation follows a major training event, but a deeper analysis reveals both the promise of these measures and the systemic challenges that remain.
By Thompson Yamput
Lokoja, Dec. 24, 2025
Boat drivers and skippers have formally commended the Federal Government and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for implementing new safety protocols designed to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps on Nigeria’s rivers and lagoons. The praise was delivered at the conclusion of a three-day intensive training program at the NIWA Dockyard in Lokoja, Kogi State, themed “Training of Boat Drivers and Skippers on Boat Navigation and Safety.”
The program, which assembled 450 participants from Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, represents a scaled-up effort to address a chronic public safety issue. Speaking for the operators, Mr. Abdullahi Bala-Yusuf, Chairman of the Maritime Union, Lokoja Sector, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Gboyega Oyetola, and former NIWA MD Mr. Bola Oyebamiji. He highlighted the distribution of life jackets, new regulations, and regular training as “timely and commendable.”
“We assure the authorities that we will apply the knowledge gained from this three-day training to improve our operations and minimise boat mishaps on the waterways,” Bala-Yusuf pledged.
Beyond Commendation: A Call for Experiential Hiring
However, the operators’ feedback moved beyond simple praise to offer a crucial, experience-based critique. Bala-Yusuf lamented past losses and urged a paradigm shift in hiring practices: “The government should place more emphasis on experience rather than paper qualifications when engaging boat riders and skippers.” He stressed the irreplaceable value of engaging operators from riverine communities who possess an intuitive, childhood-acquired understanding of water navigation, currents, and local weather patterns—a form of knowledge no formal certificate can fully confer.
The Human Error Factor and Comprehensive Safety
This perspective aligns with the stark data presented by NIWA officials. Engr. Komolafe Olabode, NIWA Area Manager for the Lokoja Dockyard, stated that over 90% of waterway accidents in Nigeria are attributable to human error. He elaborated that true safety extends far beyond the symbolic act of wearing a life jacket. It encompasses a holistic approach: preventing dangerous overloading (a common economic pressure), ensuring vessel seaworthiness, understanding load marks, and critically, the ability to “read” water currents and weather changes accurately.
Training consultant Mr. Audam Joseph underscored this, noting, “Water shows no mercy for negligence of any kind.” His curriculum focused on the practical dangers of overloading, weather interpretation, and regulatory adherence—essential skills often overlooked in informal apprenticeship systems.
Analysis: A Foundation, Not a Finish Line
While the training and new measures are a vital step forward, experts argue they must be part of a sustained, multi-layered strategy. True transformation requires:
1. Enforcement & Monitoring: Regulations and life jackets are ineffective without consistent on-water enforcement to penalize overloading and non-compliance.
2. Infrastructure Investment: Safety also depends on navigational aids, proper docking facilities, and reliable weather forecasting systems accessible to operators.
3. Formalizing the Informal: Integrating the deep experiential knowledge of riverine communities with standardized certification can create a more robust competency framework.
4. Public Awareness: Passengers must be educated to refuse overcrowded boats and insist on safety equipment, creating a bottom-up demand for safety.
The program concluded with certificate presentations, a gesture toward formalizing skills. The operators’ laudation is a positive sign of collaboration between regulators and the governed. However, it also serves as a reminder that curbing boat mishaps will depend on building upon this foundation with continuous investment, enforcement, and a respectful integration of local expertise with national standards. The goal is not just to train 450 operators, but to catalyze a systemic change in Nigeria’s inland water transportation culture.
(Source: NAN News. Edited by Isaac Ukpoju)
