Oyetola Urges Ban On Wooden Boats After Fresh Waterway Deaths
By Victor Idajili
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has renewed calls on state governments to ban the use of wooden boats for commercial water transportation, warning that their continued use is a major factor behind recurring deadly accidents on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
Oyetola made the call on Thursday against the backdrop of recent boat mishaps that claimed several lives across parts of the country. He expressed deep sympathy with affected families and described the incidents as painful and unacceptable.
According to the Minister, many of the tragedies are linked to the use of rickety, poorly maintained wooden boats and widespread disregard for basic safety standards.
“Wooden boats deteriorate quickly due to constant exposure to water, leading to cracks, leakages and eventual collapse,” Oyetola said.
“They lack stability, are easily capsized and often have no safety features, especially when overloaded or operated in harsh weather.”
He urged states to invest instead in fibre-reinforced plastic and aluminium boats, noting that they are more durable, stable and better suited for commercial operations.
Such vessels, he said, reduce the risk of sudden breakage and can easily be fitted with essential safety equipment.
The Minister also cautioned waterway users to take personal responsibility for their safety by refusing to board overloaded or unsafe boats, avoiding night travel, and insisting on wearing approved life jackets at all times.
“No journey is worth risking your life,” he warned.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to waterway safety, Oyetola disclosed that the Ministry distributed 35,000 life jackets to riverine states in 2025 as part of ongoing interventions to curb accidents.
However, he noted that incidents persist largely due to the continued reliance on unsafe wooden boats.
He called on state governments to complement federal efforts by investing in modern boats and ensuring the provision of standard life jackets for passengers.
“Water transportation is a critical component of our blue economy, but it must be safe, regulated and sustainable,” Oyetola said, stressing that ending avoidable waterway tragedies would require collective action and political will at all levels of government.
