National Inland Waterways Authority
NIWA
About
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is the authorised federal agency in Nigeria in charge of regulating inland waterways. It works alongside other water regulating bodies such as the Lagos State Waterways Authority, the Nigerian Shippers' Council and Waterways Assets Development Services Limited to ensure the safety of boats, ferries and their crews, and to maintain water bodies. The agency also sanctions illegal operations on inland waterways. Its work includes clearing blocked channels, stopping illegal waterways immigration with the Nigerian Immigration Service, and proposing dredging and port projects.
History
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, NIWA and the Lagos State Waterways Authority issued a directive allowing full capacity for four-stroke engine boats and limiting two-stroke engine boats to 75% capacity. In 2024, the Senate commissioned the approval of 12 fibre-reinforced plastic boats and three water ambulances at NIWA headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State. In early January 2024, the Supreme Court declared NIWA the authorised agency in charge of inland waterways operation, following a dispute between the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government over ownership of waterways operations in Nigeria.
Key Facts
Headquarters
Lokoja, Kogi State
Managing Director
Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji
Jurisdiction
Nigeria
Abbreviation
NIWA