NSIB blames life jacket failure, unsafe navigation for boat accidents

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has identified failure to use life jackets and unsafe navigation practices as major factors responsible for the recurring boat accidents across the country.

The Director-General of NSIB, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., disclosed this during a virtual briefing with journalists, saying the maritime sector continued to record repeated violations of basic safety measures.

Badeh said the situation contrasted with the aviation sector, where operators had largely acted on safety recommendations contained in the bureau’s investigation reports.

He said the same safety lapses continued to recur in the maritime sector, particularly the failure of passengers and operators to use life jackets.

According to him, the persistent disregard for basic safety measures appears to be partly rooted in safety culture, but the bureau is working with relevant stakeholders to address the problem.

“We continue to see the same issues repeatedly, particularly the failure to use life jackets. I think that has more to do with culture than anything else, but we’re working on it,” he said.

Badeh also identified unsafe navigation at night and around sundown as another major concern, particularly when visibility is poor.

He said NSIB was collaborating with stakeholders, including the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), to improve navigation safety and reduce the risks associated with night-time operations.

“We are talking to the relevant stakeholders, and they have shown interest in working with us, especially with the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, on issues such as navigation at night or during sundown,” he said.

Meanwhile, findings by Vanguard indicated that no fewer than 70 boat accidents had been recorded across Nigeria in 2026, with at least 80 people losing their lives.

Although the figures were described as unofficial, January recorded the highest number of fatalities among the documented incidents, with 35 deaths, followed by February with 14.

Four deaths were recorded in April, 11 in June and six in July.

The NSIB said sustained cooperation among operators, passengers, regulators and other stakeholders would be critical to preventing recurring accidents and improving safety on Nigeria’s waterways.