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FG takes safety on waterways campaign to Ogun, donates 3500 life-jackets to waterways operators.

Funso OLOJO 
As part of efforts to enhance the safety of waterways across the nation, the federal government has donated 3500 life-jackets to Ogun State Government for waterways operators in the state.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who handed over the life-jackets on Tuesday, assured Nigerian inland waterways users that the ministry will stop at nothing to curb the needless loss  of lives on waterways.
Represented by Director of Maritime Services in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Mercy Ilori, the Minister said the campaign is part of a deliberate national strategy to embed a culture of safety on our inland waterways.
 “This is one of the most comprehensive Federal government responses in recent times to the persistent loss of lives on Nigeria’s waterways.
“Consequently, there have been successful handovers of Safety life jackets at Niger, Bayelsa, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Taraba, and Lagos States.
” We are now in Ogun State to sustain the momentum and  reveal the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Ogun.
“You will all agree with me that the frequency and tragic consequences of boat mishaps across the country are deeply concerning.
“It is in recognition of this menace that the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prioritize life-saving interventions to bring about tangible change.”
He stressed that the government’s commitment to end the needless loss of lives on waterways is anchored on three pillars: Strict enforcement of the Inland Waterways Transportation Regulations 2023; Continuous public education and sensitization campaigns; and Provision of critical safety equipment, notably life jackets, to waterway users.
“It is worthy to note that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), a key agency under the Ministry, plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this strategy.
“NIWA continues to lead in regulation, monitoring compliance, and supporting education and enforcement efforts on our inland waters,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, assured the Minister that the life jackets will be distributed equitably to registered operators across the state.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, stated that safety on the nation’s waterways wasn’t a privilege but a right of everyone in Ogun State.
He also assured that the State is ready and willing to provide all the necessary support to sustain the momentum but to enhance inland waterways as viable and secured alternative to road infrastructure.
“Safety on the waterways is not a privilege, it is a right.
” Every life jacket handed over today represents a life potentially saved, a family preserved, and a future secured.
” This initiative aligns with the human capital development pillar of our administration’s ISEYA agenda ensuring that people remain at the heart of our progress
“Ogun State values the synergy we have fostered with the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and applauds their dedication to the development of marine infrastrucnare, safety standards, and the blue economy as a whole.
” Ogun State stands ready and willing to provide all the necessary support to sustain this momentum, not only in marine safety but also in enhancing inland waterways as viable and secure alternatives to road transport.”
“To our waterway users, boat operators, fishermen, and residents of our riverine communities: these life jackets are for you.
” But more importantly, the knowledge and awareness you will gain from this sensitization effort will serve as your daily companion, protecting you and helping you protect others.
“Ogun State hereby assures the Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy and NIWA that these life jackets will be equitably distributed to verified and recognised operators across the state’s waterways, from Iwopin to Ebute-Ero, from Agbara to Tongeji, Imakun Omi to Ode-Omi, and other active riverine corridors.
” A strict monitoring and maintenance protocol will be enforced to ensure sustainability and accountability.”
The State Governor, however, warned that State actors would not allow preventable tragedies define the nation’s waterways
“As we continue to embrace innovation and development in transportation, we must also embrace accountability and responsibility.
“Let us not allow preventable tragedies to define way of life, let us instead champion the principles of safety, respect for life, and collective vigilance.”
However, the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, warned that the issue of safety on the inland waterways cannot be over emphasized as he recounted several tragic incidents that claimed lives in hundreds.
“The issue of safety can never be over-emphasized. In June 12, 2023, a wooden boat carrying wedding guests returning from a marriage ceremony from Niger State capsized in Jeva Channel Lake, in River Niger in Kwara State, owing to overloading and a submerged tree.
“The boat was reported to be carrying over 200 guests despite having the capacity of carrying just less than 100 passengers.
“More than 200 lives were lost, among which a father and four of his children were involved. So you can imagine the kind of tragedy that befell the family.
“Again, in October 1, 2024, a wooden boat carrying mostly women and children traveling for religious festive occasions capsized in Niger State.
“The boat was reported to be carrying over 300 passengers even though it has the capacity of carrying less than 100 passengers. More than 100 lives were lost.”
NIWA Managing Director, who was represented by Engr. Elsie Egwuatu, observed that in the respective cases the boats were heavily overloaded, sailed at night without the proper navigational aids and conveyed passengers without life-jackets.
“So if you think safety is expensive, try disaster. Over 90 percent of accidents that happen on our waterways are caused by human error.
“In most cases, it is caused by captain’s negligence. The newly gazetted Marine and Transport Regulations Codes, which spells out offences and punishments, ranging from fine to imprisonment, mandates the compulsory use of life jackets for all waterways users sailing on our waterways,” she added.
Also speaking, the National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Alhaji Tarzan Balogun called for intensified regulatory efforts to prioritize safety and infrastructural development on Nigerian waterways.
Alhaji Balogun commended the government for its efforts in promoting safety across the country’s inland waterways, even as he assured that the life jackets would be used judiciously.
“There must be a firm policy — no life jacket, no entry. I’ve witnessed several cases where passengers refuse to wear them. That should not be allowed. Safety must come first,” he said.
Balogun also praised the federal government, particularly President Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, for their commitment to maritime safety and for recognizing the importance of life-saving gear in water transport.
“If you’re drunk or perceived to be a threat to others onboard, operators must have the authority to refuse you entry.
” There is also the problem of bringing animals onboard, especially dogs who can scare passengers onboard and make boats capsize,” he stated.
Balogun also called on the Ogun State Government to emulate Lagos by setting up a dedicated waterways authority and constructing jetties in collaboration with local boat operators.
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Nigeria dazzles Dominguez, IMO scribe, with practical demonstration of deep blue assets capabilities.

— fancies its chances at IMO elections 
Funso OLOJO 
With lethal precision and technical accuracy, Nigeria put its multi- million dollars assets under the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, also known as the Deep Blue Project, into a stimulated demonstration at the Under water jetty of the Nigerian Navy, Ojo, Lagos.
The demonstration, which took place on Saturday, October 4th, 2025 was  done in the full glare of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola , the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Abubakar Dantsoho and other security agents who were seated on board of DB Abuja, another special mission vessel of the deep blue project.
In a fast- paced operation, the full compliment of deep blue assets, comprising two special mission helicopters, four fast interceptor boats, and two special mission vessels,were deployed to foil a stimulated pirate attack on DB Lagos, one of the special mission vessels under the deep blue project.
In the stimulation exercise, one of the Deep Blue special mission vessels, DB Lagos, was under pirate attack.
But the fast and timely intervention of the security personnel of the Maritime Security Unit(MSU) of the deep blue project, manning two special mission helicopters and  four fast interceptor boats, neutralize the attack, arrested the pirates, rescued the crew of the attacked vessel and took the injured victims to the hospital, showcasing the aerial capacity of the deep blue assets.
An impressed IMO scribe, Arsenio Dominguez, was blown away by the clinical precision of the anti- piracy capabilities of the deep blue project security personnel.
“I want to start by thanking the government of Nigeria, the Ministry, NIMASA, and particularly the Deep Blue team.
“Because this is one of the most impressive displays that I have seen and experienced”
“And the reality is that we know how important maritime security is, particularly for Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea.
“And I hope and I really encourage the government to sustain this project.
 “Because the results are there. The fact that for the last three years, there has been not a single piracy attack in the national waters of Nigeria just demonstrates the effectiveness.
“And of course this also demonstrates and replicates the fact that commerce will return and come back” the IMO chief declared.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, was no less impressed by the demonstration.
He reiterated the commitment of Nigeria to reclaim the elusive seat in the category C of the IMO.
The Minister promised to go back to the Headquarters of the IMO in London to intensify the campaign and lobby to ensure that Nigeria is elected into the council.
“I want to say that the Deep Blue project is a multi- layered security architecture, that has earned Nigeria a zero piracy for the past three years.
“And it’s not enough for us to say so. It’s important for people, particularly the Secretary General, to witness the demonstration.  It’s not a fluke, it’s a reality.
“And I must commend the various agencies, the security agencies particularly, for the collaboration.
 “That means with teamwork, there’s nothing you cannot achieve. We will try to sustain it.
“It’s tough in terms of funding. But the federal government is determined to ensure that there’s no piracy in the waters.
“That’s part of what will allow us to harness the potential of the economy.
“I must commend all the people that are involved, the CEO of the management team, all the various agencies that have contributed in getting this thing to this stage.
 “I’m proud of the fact that the SG is able to look at this. I’ll come back to the UK to be able to convince them that Nigeria deserves to be a member of the Council of IMO.
“
We’re looking at being part of the Council from November this year. But the ultimate, like I mentioned to you yesterday,  is for us to get to the UK” Oyetola enthused.
However, Dominguez was non- committal to the title race of Nigeria at the IMO.
“The International Maritime Organisation works with 176 member states.
“And I encourage Nigeria to continue their campaign for the election into the IMO Council.
” They have been there before. They know that they are doing very good work.
“And I wish them a lot of success in the elections” he declared in a detached voice.
Late former President Muhammadu Buhari, performed the official launch of assets under the deep blue project on Thursday, June 10th,2021 in Lagos.
The  Deep Blue Project, which was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and Federal Ministry of Defence, is being implemented by NIMASA.
The main objective of the Deep Blue Project is to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea.

The Project has three categories of platforms to tackle maritime security on land, sea, and air.

The land assets include the Command, Control, Communication, Computer, and Intelligence Centre (C4i) for intelligence gathering and data collection; 16 armoured vehicles for coastal patrol; and 600 specially trained troops for interdiction, known as Maritime Security Unit.

The sea assets include two Special Mission Vessels and 17 Fast Interceptor Boats. The air assets comprise two Special Mission Aircraft for surveillance of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); three Special Mission Helicopters for search and rescue operations; and four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The Deep Blue Project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa with the aim of tackling the incidences of piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea.

The Maritime Security Unit (MSU) of the Deep Blue Project, comprises personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, and Department of State Services.
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Tinubu meets IMO scribe in Lagos, reaffirms commitment to maritime development

Funso OLOJO 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has received in audience the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, in Lagos.

The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s maritime sector as a viable alternative to fossil energy.

He noted that the recent signing of the National Maritime Policy was a deliberate step to entrench global best practices and strengthen the competitiveness of the Nigerian maritime industry.

In his remarks, the IMO Secretary-General commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for its remarkable achievements in maritime safety and security, particularly in safeguarding the Gulf of Guinea.
 He assured that the United Nations agency remains ready to collaborate with Nigeria in sustaining the recent successes recorded in the sector.

The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, led the IMO Secretary-General and other industry leaders for the engagement.

They include the  permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, ,Olufemi Oloruntola, Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA),  Dr Abubaker Dansoho and Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji.

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Oyetola solicits IMO assistance on sea- time training for Nigerian cadets

– As Dominguez applauds Nigeria’s maritime infrastructures 
Funso OLOJO 
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to help Nigeria in securing international sea- going vessels for sea- time  training for her cadets at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron.
He made this appeal during the visit of the Secretary General of the IMO, Arsenio Dominguez ,to Nigeria on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.
The IMO Chief Scribe was at the headquarters of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , Lagos .
During the visit where all the heads of the maritime government agencies and Directors in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy were present, Oyetola said Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN), Oron, has the capacity to produce Seafarers that can cater for the whole world but lamented that lack of sea- time training has been a challenge for its cadets.

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The Minister was speaking in response to the accolades heaped on the maritime training institution at Oron where he lauded the training infrastructures and the the caliber of cadets being churned out from the institution.
“I’m very impressed with the facilities, and wished I could have visited the Academy.
” I congratulate you with that. And please tell the seafarers and the cadets that I think they’re very luck.
“They’re very lucky to have those facilities, to see the changes from 2017 to 2025.
“That’s  impressive. That means that there’s a lot of commitment from the government and from the academy to continue to demonstrate great facilities, I have to say, very good” the IMO chief scribe declared.
However, Oyetola said in as much as the Academy has a world class training infrastructure which can produce Seafarers for the whole world, he lamented that the cadets lack sea- time training.
“But let me just say a few remarks about the Maritime Academy ,Oron.
“It is an institution that has the capacity to train seafarers for the entire world.
“We talk about 200. We can do more than several 200.
” But what is important is for us to be able to place the seafarers on international vessels.
” They need practical experience. The capacity within the country may not give them sufficient exposure.
“So we need your assistance in ensuring that these seafarers, once they attain the
primary academic qualification, they have the opportunity to be able to be put on international vessels to have the kind of practical experience.
“So we can supply the entire world with seafarers.

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“With the kind of shortage that we’re talking about, Nigeria alone can provide the gap.
“When you’re looking for gaps, we can supply the seafarers for the entire maritime industry in the world.
“So please, let’s see how much you can assist to be able to place seafarers on international vessels.
” The population, like you mentioned, about more than 60% are youths.
“They are quite interested in maritime, but it’s not enough for you to acquire the qualification.
“If you don’t have the job, then you are discouraged. So be able to train them and put them on international vessels, then you can be too sure that a lot of them are interested in making seafarering a career” the Minister appealed.
Meanwhile,  Arsenio Domínguez, has lauded Nigeria’s remarkable achievements in maritime security, particularly its success in recording zero piracy incidents for over three years and the groundbreaking Deep Blue Project, which he described as a model for regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.

He noted that Nigeria’s investment in maritime safety infrastructure and the collaboration of its security agencies, especially the Nigerian Navy, have yielded tangible results in combating piracy and maritime crimes.

According to him, these efforts demonstrate Nigeria’s leadership and commitment to ensuring safer seas, not just for its own waters but for the wider West and Central African region.

The IMO chief acknowledged Nigeria’s recent submission to the organization outlining its national and regional security initiatives, and while commending the progress made, he stressed the need for continued support in infrastructure development and acquisition of modern equipment.

He assured that the IMO would remain committed to providing technical assistance through awareness campaigns, training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.

In highlighting the organization’s ongoing projects, Mr. Domínguez referenced a regional conference scheduled to hold in Ghana in January on the Safe Seas Project, designed to consolidate contributions from Nigeria and other partner states.

He also announced ongoing discussions with the European Union aimed at launching a new maritime governance project focused on ports and security, as well as two regional projects in Southern and Western Africa where progress would be tracked through defined indicators.

Beyond security, Mr. Domínguez emphasized the need for countries to prepare for wider global challenges including the energy transition, the adoption of biofuels, and financing mechanisms to support training of seafarers, infrastructure development and the adoption of future fuels.

He praised Nigeria’s Blue Economy Policy as a forward-looking initiative for harnessing marine resources sustainably and expressed admiration for the facilities at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, especially the training infrastructure. He encouraged greater collaboration between the academy, the Ministry of Education and industry stakeholders to guide young Nigerians in pursuing maritime careers.

Oyetola said the IMO chief’s visit reflected the strength of Nigeria’s relationship with the global maritime body.

He noted that Nigeria’s partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other stakeholders had been pivotal in suppressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and reaffirmed the country’s determination to consolidate recent gains and expand opportunities in the marine and blue economy.

He thanked Mr. Domínguez for choosing Nigeria for the visit and expressed optimism that the discussions would further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, presentations were delivered by top government officials and key stakeholders in the sector.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, highlighted ongoing reforms and initiatives in security, seafarer welfare and regulatory frameworks aimed at positioning Nigeria as a leading maritime nation.

The Acting Rector of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Dr. Kevin Okonna, showcased the academy’s modern training facilities and underscored the importance of international partnerships in cadet exchange and simulator-based training.

The Managing Director of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Mr. Wang Qiang, outlined the port’s role in boosting Nigeria’s cargo handling capacity, creating jobs and attracting long-term foreign investments.

Mr. Domínguez also interacted with cadets of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, urging them to embrace emerging opportunities in the maritime sector, particularly in renewable energy, green shipping and maritime technology.

He reaffirmed IMO’s commitment to working closely with Nigeria to strengthen maritime safety, enhance governance structures, and drive the sustainable growth of the blue economy, noting that the country’s achievements already serve as a model of excellence for Africa and beyond.

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