The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has introduced quarterly safety inspections for smaller boats operating on Lagos waterways as part of a drive to reduce boat accidents by 80 per cent, warning that non-compliant vessels will be impounded.

The authority said the inspections would help identify defects arising from frequent use and exposure to water, while stricter enforcement of registration and safety requirements would compel operators to meet established standards.

NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Engineer Sarat Braimah, disclosed this on Tuesday during a sensitisation campaign for boat operators and passengers at Liverpool Jetty, Lagos. She was represented by the Head of the Marine Department, NIWA Lagos, Elsie Egwuatu.

Braimah said the authority was strengthening enforcement and public education to address preventable accidents on inland waterways, identifying human error as a major factor in incidents involving boats.

She warned operators who had failed to register their vessels or comply with mandatory inspections to meet the requirements or face sanctions, noting that they had been given sufficient time to regularise their operations.

The NIWA official also urged boat captains to avoid night operations, overloading and navigating under the influence of alcohol, warning that such practices exposed passengers and crew members to danger.

She stressed that wearing life jackets must be a priority for both passengers and operators, adding that compliance with safety procedures was essential to preventing avoidable loss of lives.

On boat captain licensing, Braimah defended the N95,000 training fee, describing it as a one-time payment for the technical knowledge and skills required to operate vessels safely. She said subsequent licence renewals cost N16,500 and are required every three years.

She called on operators to obtain the necessary certifications and comply with all regulatory requirements to avoid penalties.

Beyond vessel safety, Braimah condemned the dumping of refuse into waterways and the construction of toilets over them, warning that such practices undermined environmental sanitation and the sustainability of inland water transportation.

She disclosed that NIWA had begun an initiative to provide waste bins at jetties, with plans to extend the facilities across its waterways network to discourage indiscriminate waste disposal.

The sensitisation exercise forms part of the authority’s engagement with waterways users across Lagos, including operators and passengers around Liverpool, Ipakodo and Marina jetties.

Braimah urged members of the public and other stakeholders to report unsafe practices and regulatory violations, saying cooperation between the authority and waterways users would strengthen compliance and enforcement.

She said regular vessel inspections, sustained safety awareness and stricter adherence to regulations remained central to NIWA’s target of reducing accidents and improving safety across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

United Nigeria Airlines (UNA) plans to commence commercial cargo operations at Ekiti Airport in January 2027, with daily passenger services also in the pipeline as the state government advances infrastructure upgrades.

The airline’s Chairman, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, announced the plan on Monday during the commissioning of Reeve Energy Limited’s aviation fuel tank farm at the airport, saying the carrier was ready to support the movement of agricultural produce and other goods from Ekiti to markets across Nigeria and, eventually, overseas.

Okonkwo said the airline would be ready to commence cargo services once the state government was prepared to begin commercial exports from the airport. He pledged that United Nigeria Airlines would be the first carrier to lift commercial cargo from the facility when operations begin.

“By January next year, we will activate a cargo section of our flights so that we can work out a deal. As soon as you are ready to start exporting cargo from here, whether to other parts of Nigeria or beyond, we will be ready,” he said.

He added that the airline intended to introduce daily passenger flights to Ekiti, subject to the completion of ongoing airport infrastructure improvements.

The airline chairman described the commissioning of the fuel tank farm as an important development that would support flight operations and provide a foundation for future expansion at the airport.

Okonkwo said reliable aviation fuel supply was particularly important to the airline, which he described as Nigeria’s second-largest consumer of aviation fuel after Air Peace.

He explained that the Ekiti State Government selected United Nigeria Airlines for the partnership after assessing the operational capacity and fleet strength of domestic airlines, rather than following an application or lobbying process by the carrier.

According to him, the airline had sustained its commitment to the state by maintaining services even during periods of low passenger demand.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, said his administration was committed to completing the airport’s ongoing infrastructure projects by the end of 2026 to improve its operational capacity and attract further private-sector investment.

Oyebanji said the planned improvements included an upgrade of the airport’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) and the installation of aerodrome ground lighting to support operations beyond daylight hours.

He put the estimated cost of the ground lighting project at more than ₦10 billion, adding that the completed system would enable aircraft to land at the airport at any time, subject to applicable operational and regulatory requirements.

The governor also disclosed that the state government was pursuing an Independent Power Producer arrangement to ensure a reliable electricity supply for the airport and reduce dependence on external power sources.

He commended Reeve Energy Limited for investing in the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for businesses.

The planned cargo service could open additional routes for Ekiti’s agricultural produce and other goods, while the proposed daily passenger flights would improve the state’s air connectivity. Their implementation will depend on cargo-export readiness, infrastructure completion and the relevant operational requirements.

The African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) have called for a shift towards digital-focused aviation training, warning that traditional methods alone may not adequately prepare professionals for emerging industry challenges.

The institutions said stronger research, innovation and collaboration among training institutions, regulators and industry operators were necessary to equip Africa’s aviation workforce with the skills required to manage technological changes and evolving safety demands.

The call was made on Tuesday at the second international conference organised by AAAU’s Department of Aviation Business in Abuja, where stakeholders examined the future of aviation education amid digital transformation and changing industry requirements.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of AAAU, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, said the university was committed to advancing knowledge, influencing policy and promoting research in aviation, aerospace and environmental science.

Abdullahi described the conference as evidence of the institution’s commitment to research and intellectual development, despite being in its formative years. He also acknowledged NCAT’s support, saying collaboration between the institutions could strengthen professional training and aviation capacity development across Africa.

NCAT Rector, Dr Ismaila Danjuma, said aviation training institutions must adapt their programmes to technological innovation, changing regulatory frameworks, emerging safety and security requirements, and evolving passenger expectations.

He noted that Africa’s growing population, rising air traffic and regional integration initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), were increasing the demands on the continent’s aviation sector.

According to Danjuma, training institutions must strengthen research, encourage innovation and promote continuous professional development while building closer relationships with universities, regulators and aviation operators.

He stressed that the competence of pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, safety inspectors, managers and regulators remained critical to aviation safety, operational efficiency and the industry’s long-term sustainability.

Danjuma said NCAT had trained aviation professionals for Nigeria and other African countries for more than 60 years, with its recognition as an International Civil Aviation Organisation Regional Training Centre of Excellence with Platinum status reflecting its contribution to aviation capacity development.

He, however, said the college was focused on preparing professionals not only for existing responsibilities but also for emerging technological and operational challenges.

“We must move from training for current tasks to training for emerging challenges and opportunities,” he said.

The rector also called for research findings and academic discussions to translate into practical improvements in industry operations and policy, stressing that aviation education must evolve alongside the sector it serves.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing the industry, with digital transformation and sustainability identified as important priorities for Africa’s multimodal transport system.

Keyamo, represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Shittu Ayodeji, said preparing the sector for future demands required attention to technological advancement and sustainable development.

The conference highlighted the need for stronger institutional partnerships and updated training approaches to ensure Africa’s aviation workforce can respond effectively to emerging technologies, regulatory changes and increasing operational demands.