The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced sweeping new measures to strengthen safety and enforcement across Nigeria’s inland waterways, including a ban on loading from unauthorised points and compulsory provision of lifejackets for all passengers.
Speaking at a special press conference on Monday, NIWA’s Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, said all commercial operators must ensure their boats are clearly marked with names and load lines, while only recognised and registered jetties may be used.
Oyebamiji reaffirmed NIWA’s commitment to protecting lives and raising safety standards, noting that since the appointment of the current management in October 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, the Authority had implemented far-reaching reforms aimed at reducing accidents.
Within the first six months of the administration, NIWA launched the long-awaited Water Transportation Code, commissioned fifteen new operational assets — including patrol boats, water ambulances, survey boats and ferries — and inaugurated facilities such as the NIWA Clinic and a new administrative headquarters in Lokoja. To enforce compliance, the number of Water Marshals has increased from 80 to 350 nationwide.
Passenger safety has been bolstered through the introduction of a manifest system at approved jetties and the strict enforcement of the “No Lifejacket, No Boarding” policy. Reactivated Search and Rescue Stations have reduced emergency response times to under 30 minutes, while more than 300 riverine communities have been reached with grassroots safety campaigns in 2025 alone.
On the technical front, the NIWA Managing Director said the Authority has intensified channel maintenance, installing marine navigational buoys on the Lower and Upper Niger, conducting hydrographic surveys covering 624 kilometres between Warri and Baro Port, and clearing aquatic waste and wrecks to improve navigability.
He said collaboration with state governments has also deepened. A national stakeholders’ meeting in October 2024 produced a communiqué assigning shared responsibilities to federal and state authorities. Niger State has since provided ferries and lifejackets for its citizens, exemplifying local-level support.
Oyebamiji praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr Adegboyega Oyetola, for supporting NIWA’s drive, including the distribution of 45,000 standard lifejackets across twelve states and direct community safety campaigns.
Looking ahead, NIWA plans to strengthen partnerships with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy to enforce bans on overloading and night sailing between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., alongside the compulsory use of lifejackets. The Authority also reiterated its call for the establishment of Coastal Guards for Inland Waterways, describing them as vital for sustained enforcement.
Concluding, Oyebamiji stressed that passenger safety is a national duty requiring collective effort.
“Based on our innovations and renewed commitment, we have reduced waterway accidents and deaths by more than 70 per cent. But we must do more. Establishing coastal guards and deepening collaboration with states and security agencies will help us achieve an accident-free waterway system,” he said.
Customs Reforms Essential for Unlocking Africa’s Economic Potential — Adeniyi
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for urgent and sustained customs reforms across Africa, describing them as “non-negotiable” for unlocking the continent’s economic potential and boosting global competitiveness.
Speaking during a keynote address at the ongoing Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, Adeniyi said Nigeria is leading efforts to modernise customs procedures, increase efficiency, and promote trade facilitation in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Customs reforms are no longer optional; they are essential for Africa to realise its full potential in trade,” Adeniyi said. “We must prioritise efficiency, transparency, and innovation to strengthen the competitiveness of African exporters and advance continental integration.”
He added that Nigeria, through the Customs Service, has already embarked on a sweeping transformation agenda, which includes digitalising clearance processes, strengthening enforcement mechanisms, and investing in capacity building to create a seamless, technology-driven trading environment.
Adeniyi’s remarks come as Africa continues to push for deeper economic integration through AfCFTA, which aims to create the world’s largest single market and improve intra-African trade. The IATF, inaugurated in 2018, has since become a key platform for advancing this vision, with the 2025 edition expected to generate an estimated $44 billion in trade and investment deals.
Adeniyi also emphasised that Nigeria’s ongoing reforms are designed not only to improve local customs operations but also to position the country as a regional hub for trade and industrial growth.
In a major development, it was announced during the event that Nigeria will host the next edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2027 (IATF2027). The decision was widely welcomed as a recognition of the country’s role in promoting regional economic integration and its commitment to reform.
“With Nigeria hosting IATF2027, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to showcase the impact of our reforms,” Adeniyi said. “The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to building a transparent, efficient, and innovation-driven system that supports sustainable economic growth and benefits all stakeholders.”
Over 50 Containers Fall Overboard at Port of Long Beach
A major container collapse occurred aboard the MV Mississippi on Tuesday morning at Pier G in the Port of Long Beach, sending more than 50 containers into the harbour waters.
A Unified Command comprising the U.S. Coast Guard, Long Beach Fire Department, and Port of Long Beach authorities has been established to coordinate the response.
Aerial surveillance of the affected area is being carried out by Air Station Ventura.
According to initial reports, the incident began with the aft stack of containers before spreading towards the forward section near the vessel’s superstructure.
Several containers also fell onto an adjacent emissions-capture barge operated by STAX Engineering, which was moored alongside the vessel at the time.
The Portugal-registered ship is owned by MPC Container Ships ASA through its subsidiary MPC ECOBOX OPCO 4 AS.
The Mississippi had arrived in Long Beach earlier on Tuesday following a voyage from Yantian, China.
Pier G, the site of the collapse, is operated by International Transportation Service (ITS). Port authorities have not yet confirmed whether there will be disruptions to operations or environmental impacts arising from the incident.
The collapse comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of container safety in the global shipping industry. A recent World Shipping Council (WSC) report revealed that more than 11 per cent of inspected cargo shipments in 2024 were found to have deficiencies.
To reduce losses at sea, the WSC recently introduced the CTU Code Quick Guide and Checklist, designed to promote safer packing, handling, and transportation of cargo transport units, including freight containers.
The STAX barge affected in the incident forms part of an emissions-control system launched earlier this year.
In April, STAX Engineering showcased its integrated emissions and carbon capture technology, intended to help shipping companies meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations.
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