The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced an immediate ban on all loading activities from unauthorized points across the country to curb boat accidents and improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
During a press meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, revealed the new directions, adding, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorized loading points across the country.
“No commercial passenger boat shall be permitted to load from any point other than those designated and registered by NIWA.
“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always. Every commercial passenger boat must properly display its boat name letters and load line.”
He also ordered that “all unlicensed boats and watercraft be removed from the waterways.”
Furthermore, he said, “All unlicensed boat drivers and operators are banned from operating any boats or watercraft on the waterways.
Several deadly inland waterway accidents have happened during the last six months. For example, in April, a boat transporting traders on the Niger River capsized near Sokun Village in Lapai LGA (Niger State) owing to an unexpected storm.
Local media stated that “an unspecified number of traders” drowned after the overloaded boat capsized in heavy gusts. There was no official casualty count for that tragedy, but it highlighted the dangers of river travel during periodic squalls.
Another incident occurred in July, in Niger State. A passenger boat carrying rice, animals, and approximately 40 people met with a submerged log and sank on the Shiroro River (near Zumba Market in Shiroro LGA).
Rescue teams later discovered 15 bodies and identified three additional people who remained missing; 26 passengers wearing life jackets were rescued.
In Sokoto State, two fatal accidents occurred in mid-August 2025. A massively loaded boat carrying women, children, and motorcycles to the Goronyo market overturned.
The most recent accident happened in September in Niger State. A wooden boat transporting mourners to a condolence visit capsized at Gausawa in Borgu LGA on the Kainji Reservoir’s Malale River. More than 27 persons had been confirmed killed.
