FG TRAINS 75 BOAT OPERATORS FROM LAGOS, OGUN, ONDO ON SAFE INLAND WATERWAY NAVIGATION
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in collaboration with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has concluded a three-day Boat Navigation and Safety Training for 75 boat operators drawn from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states, as part of efforts to enhance safety and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The training, held from Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24, 2025, was designed to equip boat drivers and skippers with the practical knowledge and operational competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.
Participants were selected from major boating associations, including the Maritime Workers Union, the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), and the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the programme as a critical intervention aimed at reducing accidents on inland waterways. He attributed many past boat mishaps to inadequate technical knowledge and limited experience among operators, stressing that sustained capacity-building would significantly improve safety outcomes.
Clement also highlighted NIWA’s ongoing safety initiatives, including the removal of wrecks to enhance navigation and continuous sensitisation of operators along key routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo. According to him, NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns by moving from jetty to jetty to educate operators on safe practices.
“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training for boat skippers. Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and over the past three days, they have learned a great deal,” he said, adding that more operators are being encouraged to release their skippers and captains for structured training programmes.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative aimed at strengthening manpower capacity and reducing waterway accidents. She said the training combined classroom instruction with hands-on practical sessions, making it both comprehensive and effective.
She commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and former NIWA Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector. Assessing the programme, Akinbowale rated it about 90 per cent successful, assuring that the initiative would be sustained.
Participants praised the training, describing it as timely and impactful. A Lagos-based operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the programme had improved participants’ ability to respond to emergencies and distress situations on the waterways. Similarly, Biobaku John from Ondo State said the training exposed him to vital safety, firefighting and emergency response skills that would enhance his professionalism.
Leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, noted that participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, engine maintenance, emergency response and effective waterway transport management.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA, in line with recommendations from past investigation reports, to raise safety standards, boost professionalism and improve confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.
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