The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safer, more efficient, and sustainable transportation across Nigeria’s inland waterways.
This pledge was made during a high-level conference themed “Charting Safer Waters – Advancing Ferry Safety through Innovation, Collaboration and Integrated Transport Solutions”, held in Lagos today.
Delivering his keynote address, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, emphasized the authority’s critical role in providing alternative modes of transportation for the evacuation of economic goods and people.
With Nigeria’s waterways spanning approximately 10,000 kilometers and connecting 26 states, he noted that the potential for transforming transportation and trade through inland waterways is immense.
“The theme of today’s conference is not only timely but essential in helping NIWA achieve its mandate efficiently and effectively in line with global best practices,” Oyebamiji stated. “Safe, seamless, and affordable water transport is no longer optional—it is a necessity.”
The NIWA boss commended the conveners of the conference—LASWA, MOWCA, and INTERFERRY—for driving forward the conversation around ferry safety. He stressed that ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on Nigeria’s waterways requires innovation, collaboration, and the integration of transport solutions.
Mr. Oyebamiji highlighted NIWA’s ongoing partnerships with key stakeholders including LASWA, ATBOWATON, WABOTAN, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria. These collaborations, he noted, are essential in enhancing safety standards, improving emergency response protocols, and promoting sustainable practices in the inland water transport sector.
“Ferry safety is a shared responsibility,” he added. “Through collective action and forward-thinking solutions, we can minimize risks, prevent accidents, and ensure our waterways remain a safe and reliable transport alternative.”
NIWA’s renewed commitment comes at a time when the government and private sector are increasingly turning to inland water transport to ease the burden on Nigeria’s congested roads and improve connectivity across states. As discussions continue, stakeholders at the conference are optimistic that the initiatives being discussed will result in tangible improvements in the country’s ferry and waterway systems.