Water transport refers to the movement of people and goods through rivers, creeks, lagoons, and the sea using vessels such as boats, ferries, ships, and barges.
Historically, water transport played a major role in trade and communication before the development of modern road and rail networks. Today, it remains vital, especially in coastal and riverine communities.
Nigeria is naturally endowed with vast water resources suitable for transportation. The country has about 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways, although only a portion is currently fully navigable throughout the year.
These waterways connect many parts of the country and even link Nigeria to neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Niger Republic, and Benin Republic. This makes water transport important not only domestically but also for regional trade.
The major rivers supporting water transport in Nigeria include River Niger, River Benue, Cross River, and several smaller river systems like the Anambra–Imo–Njaba system.
These rivers form transportation corridors that support passenger movement, cargo transport, and economic activities such as fishing and tourism. The confluence of River Niger and River Benue at Lokoja is particularly important for inland navigation and trade distribution.
Nigeria’s maritime water transport is dominated by seaports, which handle the majority of the country’s international trade. Major ports include Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, Port Harcourt Port, Onne Port, Warri Port, and Calabar Port. Maritime shipping is responsible for more than 90% of Nigeria’s international trade activities, making the port system a backbone of the national economy.
Water transport is especially important in the Niger Delta and other coastal areas where road networks are limited. Communities in places like Bonny, Brass, Nembe, and other riverine settlements depend heavily on boats for daily transportation, trade, and access to social services. In some of these areas, waterways serve as the main or only means of transportation.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is the major government agency responsible for regulating and developing inland water transport in Nigeria. The agency oversees licensing of vessels, construction of jetties and river ports, safety regulation, and infrastructure development. NIWA also works toward integrating water transport with other transport modes such as road and rail.
Water transport offers many economic advantages. It is often cheaper than road transport and can move large volumes of cargo at once. Studies have shown that using waterways can reduce logistics costs and improve trade efficiency. Water transport is also important for moving bulk goods like agricultural produce, petroleum products, and construction materials.
The system also contributes significantly to export activities. For example, over 97% of Nigeria’s exports in certain periods have been transported through waterways. This shows how central maritime and water transport are to Nigeria’s foreign trade and revenue generation.
Another major advantage of water transport is its potential to reduce pressure on roads. Nigeria’s roads are often congested and poorly maintained, which increases transport costs and accidents. Hence, expanding water transport can help decongest roads, reduce travel time, and lower vehicle maintenance costs for businesses and individuals.
Despite its potential, Nigeria’s water transport system faces several challenges. One major problem is poor infrastructure. Many waterways are silted, making navigation difficult for large vessels. In many areas, jetties, terminals, and navigation aids are either outdated or completely absent.
Safety is another serious concern. Boat accidents occur frequently due to overloading, poor vessel maintenance, lack of safety equipment, and untrained operators. Reports have indicated that hundreds of deaths occur yearly due to ferry and boat accidents, highlighting the need for stronger regulation and safety enforcement.
Security threats also affect water transport operations. Piracy and maritime crime, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, increase insurance costs and discourage investment in the sector. These security issues affect both cargo shipping and passenger transport services.
Another issue is underutilization of inland waterways. Despite having thousands of kilometres of waterways, only a fraction is actively used. This underutilization results in huge economic losses and missed opportunities for employment and industrial growth.
Environmental challenges also threaten water transport development. Pollution from oil exploration, industrial waste, and plastic waste has degraded many waterways. Environmental degradation affects aquatic ecosystems and reduces the usability of waterways for transport and fishing.
The Nigerian government and private sector are making efforts to improve the system. There are ongoing projects to modernize ports, expand inland water transport, and improve integration with other transport modes. There are also targets to increase cargo movement through inland waterways to millions of containers annually.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s water transport system is a strategic national asset with huge economic and social importance. If properly developed, it can reduce transport costs, create jobs, support trade, and improve connectivity across the country.
However, achieving this requires sustained investment in infrastructure, safety enforcement, environmental protection, and security measures to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s waterways.
