Just last week, another boat accident claimed 27 lives in Kwara State, reinforcing the need for urgent concerted actions towards taming the monster of mishaps in inland waterways transportation. In 2024, about 326 casualties were recorded with Niger and Kwara states accounting for the highest figures.
Not even the special committee to set up by the federal government to address this ugly trend has been able to arrest the situation.
The committee, inaugurated on February 27,2025 is chaired by the managing director of the National Inland Waterways Authority(NIWA). It has the mandate to review commercial boat operations, identifying the root causes of accidents and recommending long-term solutions to enhance safety and operational standards.
Surprisingly, this committee has abandoned its brief, making the inland waterways another killing field akin to terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Today, NIWA has become arguably the worst federal government agency where only politicians in transit are appointed as managing directors. They come and sit and never plan and work for the development and growth of the subsector.
This phenomenon of abandonment started with Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma who took office as the managing director in May, 2013. She abandoned her seat upon resignation midway into her four year tenure. Her successor, Mustapha Boss left months after to become the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Then came, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora in 2018, who left shortly after to become a Minister of State for Health. Chief Dr. George Moghalu who at least, served out his four year tenure in NIWA became the first politician MD among others to contest for position while serving as a sitting MD.
It is not a surprise that the present MD, Bola Oyebamiji, has caught the political influenza. He is reportedly considering entering the 2026 Osun State governorship race, potentially challenging incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
This development has however sparked a debate among marine and blue economy stakeholders, who fear Oyebamiji’s political ambitions could disrupt his programmes at NIWA, particularly during a period marked by increased waterways accidents.
According to sources, Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance under ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, has received Oyetola’s endorsement to be the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, reports Daily Trend.
Already, in its determination to ensure the emergence of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji popularly called AMBO as the candidate in the next year gubernatorial election in Osun State, the chieftains of the APC recently inaugurated grassroot stakeholders across the 30 Local Government areas including the Ife-East Area Office, Modakeke in the state.
The newly-inaugurated stakeholders, according to the party stalwarts, are to ensure the spread of the AMBO’s gospel across the nooks and crannies to facilitate Oyebamiji’s victory as flag-bearer and next governor of Osun come 2026.
Oyetola, Nigeria’s current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has reportedly shelved his ambitions to re-contest the Osun Governorship seat after suffering a terrible defeat in the hands of PDP’s Ademola Adeleke in 2022.
Rather, the Minister has reportedly chosen to push forward Oyebamiji, who heads an agency under Oyetola’s Ministry.
“The former governor believes that Oyebamiji has the right mix of competence, loyalty, and regional appeal to reposition the APC in Osun and reclaim power from the PDP,” a party source stated.
While Oyebamiji has not officially declared his candidacy, his recent political activities, including visits to traditional rulers and consultations with youth leaders, suggest an impending announcement.
This potential candidacy has led to realignments within the APC, with other aspirants like Senator Ajibola Bashiru and former House of Representatives member Taofeek Ajilesoro reconsidering their positions.
However, stakeholders within the marine sector have expressed unease about the timing of Oyebamiji’s potential political foray.
They emphasize that NIWA is currently facing significant challenges, notably a rise in waterways accidents, demanding the full attention of its leadership. The concern is that a governorship campaign could divert Oyebamiji’s focus from these pressing issues.
“NIWA is undergoing a challenging period where Waterways accidents are rife and needs 100 percent attention,” one stakeholder remarked, highlighting the critical nature of the situation.
A stakeholder who pleaded anonymity, alleged that, NIWA would suffer neglect due to Oyebamiji’s political ambitions, even as he stated that the NIWA MD should resign in order to face his politics.
The 2026 Osun governorship election is shaping up to be a closely watched contest. If Oyebamiji secures the APC nomination and faces Governor Adeleke, it would be the first time in the state’s history that two major candidates from the Osun West Senatorial District compete for the governorship.
Maritime industry observers are shocked to note that the Minister, as an elder, seeking to succeed in his ministry could give his blessings to Oyebamiji to shirk his responsibility for a political office while still serving. Government is the problem of NIWA and very complicit in the unmitigated waterways accidents. The Minister, Oyetola should he held responsible for the rising death tool in boat and waterways mishap because he has failed to make the NIWA MD accountable. Where is the report of the accident committee? Is the report meant to buy time, kept on the shelf or for implementation?
