The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, has commiserated with victims and families of the recent boat accident in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, describing the incident as “deeply painful and avoidable.”
In a statement, Oyetola extended condolences on behalf of the Federal Government, while lamenting the recurring fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways. He attributed the persistence of boat mishaps largely to the widespread use of wooden vessels, which he described as structurally weak and unsafe for modern commercial operations.
“Wooden boats have served their time, but they cannot be the future of water transport in Nigeria. The tragic mishaps we continue to witness are a direct consequence of the continued reliance on unsafe vessels. We must now chart a safer course for our people,” the Minister said.
Highlighting the Ministry’s recent distribution of 3,500 life jackets to riverine states, Oyetola insisted that safety cannot be guaranteed by life jackets alone without safer vessels.
He urged state governments, particularly those with large riverine populations, to invest in fibre and aluminium boats, which he described as sturdier, safer, and globally accepted standards for inland and coastal waterways.
The Minister stressed that phasing out wooden boats was both a life-saving and economically strategic move that would restore public confidence in water transport, ease pressure on Nigeria’s roads, and unlock the full potential of the blue economy.
“The blue economy is one of the great frontiers of Nigeria’s growth. For it to thrive, Nigerians must be assured of safety on our waters. The Federal Government cannot achieve this alone — it requires strong partnership from state governments. The safety of our people must be our collective priority,” Oyetola added.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to improving waterways safety through stronger regulations, compliance enforcement, and collaboration with states, investors, and boat manufacturers.
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