The Federal Government has distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states as part of its 2025 waterway safety intervention and urged state governments to phase out wooden boats used for commercial transport. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said the initiative aims to curb recurring boat accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyetola said the intervention was driven by frequent boat mishaps linked to non-compliance with safety rules, including overloading and refusal to wear life jackets. “Our goal is simple: to prevent avoidable deaths on our waterways,” he said, adding that “wearing life jackets is not optional; it is a lifesaving necessity.”