ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s federal government has called on state authorities to phase out the use of wooden boats, citing safety concerns and a string of deadly accidents on the country’s waterways.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola made the appeal following a recent boat tragedy in Shagari, Sokoto State, where multiple lives were lost. He urged state governments to adopt safer alternatives such as fibre and aluminium vessels, which offer greater stability and durability.
“Wooden boats are unsafe and outdated,” Oyetola said in a statement. “They are a major contributor to recurring boat accidents, many of which could be prevented with modern standards.”
The ministry has distributed 3,500 life jackets to each riverine state, but officials say the continued use of substandard vessels undermines safety efforts. Oyetola emphasized that life-saving equipment alone is not enough without structural reforms in water transport.
The federal government’s push aligns with broader efforts to modernize Nigeria’s blue economy and reduce fatalities on inland waterways. Officials say stricter enforcement and investment in safer vessels are essential to improving maritime transport.
Some stakeholders in the marine transport sector have expressed concern over the cost of transitioning to modern boats, arguing that wooden vessels remain the most accessible option for low-income communities.
Others support the ban, citing the urgent need to prevent avoidable deaths and improve safety standards. “We can’t keep losing lives to preventable accidents,” said a spokesperson for the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority.
The government has not announced a timeline for the proposed phase-out, but Oyetola said discussions with state governments are ongoing.
Nigeria has recorded dozens of boat accidents in recent years, many involving overcrowded or poorly constructed wooden vessels. The ministry says it is working with local authorities to improve regulation and public awareness.
As reforms take shape, officials hope to shift the country’s water transport system toward safer, more sustainable practices.
