SWAAADO Intensifies Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign to Waterfront Communities in Lagos State.

130 Persons, Including Boat Drivers, Fishermen, Community Leaders and Everyday Waterway Users, Participate as Organization Plans Free Training and Licensing for Boat Skippers

Thursday 12th of February 2026, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State

Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization (SWAAADO), has expanded its ongoing waterways safety sensitization campaign to three communities on Onisiwo Island in Onisiwo Kingdom, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

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The comprehensive safety awareness program, which covered Ilufemiloye, Irede, and Igbayilola Tie-Gate Communities, attracted 130 participants comprising boat users, fishermen and boat skippers who engaged in robust discussions on waterways safety understanding and knowledge.

Chief Emmanuel Omotayo, the Baale of Ilufemiloye Community, who attended the occasion, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, noting the visible joy on the faces of community participants. “We need more of this sensitization campaign in our kingdom,” the community leader stated.

Comprehensive Safety Education

Chief Raymond Gold, SWAAADO’s Head of Desk, Corporate Communication and Strategy, took participants through an extensive waterways safety sensitization program, educating them on critical safety measures required when boarding and disembarking from boats.

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Chief Gold unveiled SWAAADO’s ambitious plans for waste management in waterfront communities, emphasizing the detrimental effects that the dumping of household waste on our waterways, could have on aquatic life. He also announced the organization’s groundbreaking initiative to provide free training and licensing for boat skippers while listing them on SWAAADO’s Nigeria Waterways Directory platform – a move designed to bring boat operators into the oversight framework of maritime regulatory agencies.

Partnership for Seamless Training

Mrs. Ada Okpanige Agbo, representing SWYRE Marine, a NIMASA-accredited training institution, gave details on the need for every boat skipper to be trained and licensed urging participants to avail themselves of the opportunity that SWAAADO provides. She confirmed that SWYRE Marine has partnered with SWAAADO to ensure seamless training and licensing of boat skippers.

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Engr. Shittu Oladimeji of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) stressed the importance of constant safety consciousness while highlighting the agency’s ongoing efforts in sensitizing waterways users about safety compliance. He announced LASWA’s readiness to support community waterways safety volunteers and requested the compilation of names for official registration and training in preparation for engagement

Industry Stakeholders Endorse Initiative

Comrade Osaweren O. Larry, representing the Lagos Commercial Private Boat District of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, described the SWAAADO’s Nigeria Waterways Directory concept as “a game changer” in the nation’s waterways industry. He noted that the platform would would instil discipline in the sector by listing all stakeholders with verifiable data and providing mechanisms to blacklist erring participants.

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“The burden of safety on our waterways is a shared responsibility,” Larry emphasized, calling on regulatory agencies to partner with SWAAADO in addressing major challenges facing the maritime sector.

Engr. Gimada of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) delivered what observers described as a fantastic safety message, further reinforcing the importance of waterways safety education.

Chief Femi Alade, the Baale of Irede Community, also addressing the gathering, advising both passengers and boat skippers to maintain safety consciousness at all times.

Life Vests Distribution

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The sensitization campaign ended with the distribution of life vests to the two jetties serving the three communities, providing essential safety equipment to enhance passenger protection on the waterways.

SWAAADO’s waterways safety campaign is supported by Simtop International Limited, Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd., Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited, and SWYRE Marine, whose collective commitment continues to drive safety awareness across Lagos State waterfront communities.

The organization’s multi-faceted approach – combining education, free training, licensing, and regulatory integration – represents a comprehensive strategy to enhance safety standards and formalize operations in Nigeria’s inland waterways sector.

*For more information about SWAAADO’s waterways safety initiatives and upcoming training programs, community members and boat operators are encouraged to contact the organization through its official channels.*

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SWAAADO Launches 2026 Waterways Safety  Sensitization Campaign in Lagos Waterfront Communities

Onisiwo Island, Lagos State

– The Sustainable Waterways Awareness Advancement and Advocacy Organization (SWAAADO), supported by key industry stakeholders, today conducted a comprehensive waterways safety sensitization campaign at Bishop-Kodji and Whala-Kodji communities on Onisiwo Island, Lagos. The event brought together over 120 community members and representatives from key maritime regulatory agencies.

The event, tagged “Waterways Safety Sensitization Campaign for Waterfront Communities and Waterways Users in Lagos State,” drew participation from the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), SWYRE Marine, and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

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The campaign is supported by key industry leaders committed to advancing waterways safety across Nigeria. Supporting organizations include Simtop Ventures International Limited, Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd, SWYRE Marine, Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited, and Nigeria Waterways Directory, demonstrating strong private sector commitment to maritime safety advocacy.

Chief Raymond Gold, Head of Corporate Communication and Strategy at SWAAADO, unveiled the organization’s ambitious plan to train 5,000 boat skippers across Nigeria’s eight coastal states and five inland states. Lagos State will account for 300 trainees, while the other seven coastal states will receive 200 trainees each, with the remaining slots distributed among the five inland states.

“This initiative was born out of the tragic boat mishaps that happened in the mid northern part of the country, where many lives were lost due to lack of waterways safety awareness,” Chief Gold explained during the event.

SWAAADO’s intervention follows extensive research into the root causes of recurrent boat accidents across Nigerian waterways. The organization has developed a multi-pronged approach that includes community awareness campaigns, professional training for boat operators, and the creation of a regulatory support platform.

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Central to this strategy is the Nigeria Waterways Directory (www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com), an online publication that is registered with the National Library (EISSN: 3122-0045). The platform is designed to list trained and certified boat operators while providing regulatory authorities with the capability to blacklist non-compliant operators.

Engr. Sola Fumilugba delivered a lecture on waterways safety codes and enforcement, emphasizing the critical need for boat operators to obtain proper licensing. His presentation highlighted regulatory requirements that many operators currently overlook.

Mr. Shittu Oladimeji, representing LASWA, outlined the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure waterways safety and urged all waterways users to maintain constant safety consciousness.

Mrs. Ada Okpanige Agbo of SWYRE Marine, a NIMASA-accredited training institution (ATI) and key partner of the initiative, stressed on the importance of professional training, certification and licensing for boat skippers, explaining the standards required for proper licensing.

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Comrade Owolabi Omotayo, newly elected Chairman of Lagos Commercial Private Boat District of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria-MWUN, provided candid advice to boat workers on safety compliance and licensing requirements before operating vessels.

Comrade Osaweren O. Larry, representing the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), reinforced the message of safety code compliance while clarifying the distinct roles of the Maritime Workers Union and various boat owners associations.

The sensitization campaign concluded with concrete results: five waterways safety volunteers were identified for interviews and subsequent training, life jackets were distributed to attendees, and campaign materials were shared among all participants.

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The event represents a significant step in SWAAADO’s broader mission to reduce waterways accidents through education, training, and improved regulatory compliance across Nigerian waterways, bolstered by the commitment of its industry partners.

For more information about SWAAADO’s initiatives, visit www.swaaado.org

For information on how to list your business or skill on the Nigeria Waterways Directory visit www.nigeriawaterwaysdirectory.com

Supporting Partners: Simtop International Limited | Best-Time Global Logistics and Solutions Ltd | SWYRE Marine | Waterways Integrated Synergy Limited | Nigeria Waterways Directory

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Boat Tragedy in Yobe: 29 Dead, 10 Missing as Overloaded Canoe Capsizes

MAIDUGURI – A devastating boat accident has claimed at least 29 lives with 10 passengers still missing after a large canoe capsized in Yobe State waters on Saturday evening, emergency officials confirmed on Sunday.

The tragic incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday when the vessel, carrying 52 passengers from Adiyani village in Jigawa State, overturned while heading to Garbi in Yobe State.

Mohammed Goje, Director-General of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), disclosed that rescue operations have so far saved 13 passengers, while 29 bodies have been recovered from the water.
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the 10 missing persons. Emergency response teams from neighbouring communities have joined local volunteers and security agencies at the accident scene,” Goje stated.

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The Jigawa State Police Command attributed the disaster to boat leakage and flagrant violation of maritime safety regulations.
Lawan Adam, spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police, revealed that passengers were returning from a market day trading expedition when the tragedy struck. He emphasized that the boat operator flouted safety laws prohibiting night journeys and overloading.

“If the driver survives, he will face prosecution for criminal negligence,” Adam warned.

Babagana Shettima, a resident of Adiyani village, said victims included passengers from both the departure point and the destination community.
“When the boat failed to arrive as expected, relatives raised the alarm. It was later discovered that the canoe had capsized midway. Local divers have been recovering bodies,” Shettima recounted.

This latest tragedy adds to Nigeria’s grim record of fatal boat accidents, largely attributed to inadequate safety measures and poor enforcement of maritime regulations.
In September 2024, at least 60 people perished when an overloaded passenger boat collided with a tree stump and sank in Niger State, central Nigeria.
Maritime safety experts continue to call for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, mandatory life jackets, and prohibition of night-time water travel on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

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Rescue operations continue as authorities work to locate the remaining missing passengers.