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By Daniel Adaji
The Federal Government has renewed its call for a ban on wooden boats across Nigeria’s inland waterways, following the loss of more than 1,500 lives between 2020 and 2025 in preventable waterway accidents.
The call was made by Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, in a press statement on Sunday, urging state governments to invest in modern fibre and aluminium vessels for commercial transport.
“Waterway users must refuse to board rickety or overloaded boats. No journey is worth risking your life. Avoid night travels, wear life jackets and prioritise safety above all else,” Oyetola stated.
The Minister expressed sympathy with victims’ families, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost their loved ones. These recurring tragedies are painful and unacceptable, and they underscore the urgent need to address the root causes of waterway accidents in the country.”
According to Oyetola, unsafe wooden boats remain the leading cause of accidents. “Wooden boats deteriorate quickly due to constant exposure to water, leading to cracks, leakages and eventual collapse. They lack stability, are easily capsized and often have no safety features.”
Between 2020 and 2025, Nigeria saw a staggering number of fatalities on its rivers and lakes, according to available data from Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and other media reports. In 2020, about 350 deaths were reported, followed by 281 in 2021, and 313 in 2022. In 2023, estimates ranged between 216 and over 300 deaths, with the Ogbaru boat disaster in Anambra State alone claiming 76 lives.
Fatalities in 2024 were reported between 231 and 326, while preliminary figures for 2025 indicate at least 92 deaths by August, with further incidents in Niger, Kogi, and Yobe states pushing the toll higher.
Highlighting solutions, Oyetola said fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium boats are safer, more durable, and easier to maintain. “These modern boats are stronger, more reliable and easier to maintain. They offer better balance and buoyancy, reduce the risk of sudden breakage, and can be fitted with essential safety equipment.”
He also called on waterway users to take personal responsibility for their safety by observing safety measures and insisting on approved life jackets, warning against night travel where visibility is poor.
The Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states as part of safety interventions in 2025, but Oyetola emphasised that the persistent use of wooden boats undermines federal efforts.
“This is why we are appealing to state governments to urgently complement federal efforts by investing in modern, non-wooden boats for commercial operations in their states and provide standard life jackets for all water transport passengers in their domains.”
“Water transportation is a critical component of our blue economy. But it must be safe, regulated and sustainable. Together, we can put an end to these avoidable tragedies and protect the lives of our citizens,” he added.