A non-governmental organisation, NGO known as ELOHIM Foundation, has convened a high-level one-day national media roundtable in Abuja to address growing safety and governance challenges in Nigeria’s inland waterways sector.
The engagement brought together journalists, editors, policymakers, regulators, civil society organisations and maritime stakeholders to develop solutions for safer and more sustainable inland water transport in the country.
The Convener of ELOHIM Foundation, Ibecheole Julius, said urgent reforms are needed and that inland waterways remain one of Nigeria’s most underutilised yet high-risk transport corridors.
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“The waterways sector cannot be transformed in isolation. We need informed reporting, sustained advocacy and collective responsibility to ensure that safety becomes non-negotiable,” he said.
He explained that the roundtable was designed to strengthen collaboration between the media, government agencies and civil society, while promoting nationwide reform.
Expected outcomes include improved media coverage of waterway safety issues, better public awareness of preventable risks and stronger policy advocacy.
Julius said the platform is intended to serve as a catalyst for action driven by evidence, collaboration and accountability.
Legal Framework
He noted that the foundation was advocating a legal framework that prioritises safety, transparency and constitutional balance, stressing that reforms must improve safety standards, operator regulation and infrastructure development.
The convener also highlighted the role of the media in driving accountability and public awareness.
He said, “Journalists are essential partners in amplifying safety messages, exposing systemic failures and sustaining national attention on the urgent need for reform.”
According to him, participants reviewed findings from a recent capacity-building programme for commercial boat operators, focused on improving competence, safety awareness and compliance with navigation standards aimed at reducing accidents.
He also noted that ongoing engagements with the Lagos State Waterways Authority highlighted progress made as well as challenges in enforcement, infrastructure and stakeholder coordination.
Supported by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the event presented findings from ELOHIM Foundation’s inland water transport safety project, based on field research into boat accidents, safety gaps and systemic weaknesses affecting navigation.
Discussions focused on practical solutions, including weak regulatory enforcement, poor use of safety equipment, inadequate emergency response systems and limited infrastructure investment.
Stakeholders also examined rising climate-related risks such as flooding, storms and low visibility, which continue to endanger water transport users.
A key highlight of the roundtable was a policy session on the proposed Executive Waterways Bill currently before the National Assembly.