The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has officially launched the distribution of 3,500 life jackets in Lagos State, as part of the Federal Government’s nationwide water safety campaign aimed at enhancing security on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The event, held during a Marine Safety Sensitization and Life Jackets Distribution Exercise in Lagos, underscores the ministry’s unwavering commitment to a safety-first culture, particularly in riverine communities where water transport is a daily mode of movement.
Represented by Dr. Mercy Ilori, a Director in the Ministry, Oyetola disclosed that the initiative—already carried out in Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom States—would extend to other coastal states over the coming months, with a target of reaching 12 states within the shortest possible time.
Highlighting the importance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Minister outlined three core pillars of the campaign which include: Enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023, Ongoing public sensitization on safety, and Provision of life-saving equipment, including life jackets
Oyetola praised the proactive efforts of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in transforming water transportation in Lagos and commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for its regulatory oversight and public awareness drives.
Calling for grassroots participation, the Minister urged boat operators, community leaders, and transport unions to adopt the life-saving slogan: “No life jacket, no entry.” He stressed that life jackets are “shields, not inconveniences,” and called on all stakeholders to make water safety a shared responsibility.
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, described the initiative as a timely intervention. With over 85% of daily commutes in Lagos currently done via road, Osiyemi emphasized the importance of expanding safe and reliable water transport to meet the needs of the state’s growing population.
“This initiative is not just about safety gear; it’s about building a safety culture,” Osiyemi said, thanking the Federal Ministry and NIWA for their support and partnership.
In his address, NIWA Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, emphasized that in the water transport sector, safety is the real measure of success. “While profitability is key in finance, safety is our profit here,” he stated.
He reiterated NIWA’s determination to achieve zero fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways and confirmed that six of the twelve targeted states have already benefitted from the campaign. “We are committed to reaching the rest in the next one to two years,” he said.
Oyebamiji highlighted the strict safety enforcement in Nigeria: “Here, if you don’t wear a life jacket, you don’t get into the boat. It’s that serious.”
Earlier, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, General Manager of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), welcomed participants and applauded the Federal Government’s leadership on safety. “This is more than just a distribution—it is a significant step toward sustainable water transport. Safety is what keeps our waterways functional and reliable,” he said.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the marine and blue economy sector, reinforcing the shared vision of a safe, secure, and efficient inland water transport system across Nigeria.
