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The Federal 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 drivers and skippers, aimed at improving safety standards and professionalism on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The training, which held from Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24, 2025, focused on equipping participants with the practical and technical competence required for the issuance of the Certificate in Safe Boating and Navigation.
Participants were drawn from key 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). Boat operators from Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states participated in the programme.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Timothy Clement of the NIWA Lagos Area Office described the training as a strategic intervention to reduce accidents and improve operational standards on inland waterways. He noted that many past mishaps were linked to limited technical knowledge and inadequate experience among operators, stressing that sustained capacity-building would significantly address the problem.
Clement also highlighted NIWA’s ongoing safety initiatives, including the removal of wrecks to enhance navigation and continuous sensitisation of operators along major routes such as CMS, Ikorodu, Badore, Badagry and Port Novo.
He explained that NIWA has intensified awareness campaigns by moving from jetty to jetty to educate boat operators on safe practices, while urging boat owners to release more captains and skippers for structured training programmes.
“So far, so good. We thank God for the success of this three-day training. Participants came from Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, and they have learned a great deal,” Clement said, adding that NIWA conducted sensitisation exercises two to three times across different jetties this year alone.
Also speaking, the Lead Trainer and Consultant, Dr. Sileola Akinbowale, described the programme as a life-saving initiative designed to strengthen manpower capacity and reduce waterway accidents. She said the training combined classroom instruction with practical sessions on the water, making it highly effective.
“We did not limit the programme to theory. Participants also had hands-on practical sessions at the jetty, which made the training very impactful,” she said, rating the exercise about 90 per cent successful.
Akinbowale commended the Federal Government, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the former Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, for prioritising safety and capacity development in the sector.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the programme. A Lagos-based operator, Wasiu Olalekan, said the training enhanced their ability to handle distress and emergency situations, while Biobaku John from Ondo State said he gained critical safety and firefighting skills.
The leader of the Ogun State delegation, Pami Ronald, said participants were trained in boat handling, safety procedures, first aid, emergency response, engine maintenance and effective waterway transport management.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and NIWA to improve safety, professionalism and confidence among inland waterway operators nationwide.
