By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS — Lagos State waterway authorities have issued an urgent directive to artisanal fishermen operating across local inland waterways to adhere strictly to maritime safety protocols. However, coastal fishing community leaders argue that without targeted government subsidies and economic support, surviving the harsh economic climate and actively participating in Nigeria’s emerging blue economy will be nearly impossible.
The administrative clash came to the forefront during the 2026 Anniversary of the Badagry Fishermen Association, where representatives from the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) met with local stakeholders to outline compulsory operational rules.
To mitigate the recurrence of preventable boat mishaps, LASWA officials laid down rigid safety benchmarks that all fishing operators must meet. The core prerequisites include mandatory registration of all local watercraft, comprehensive vessel seaworthiness inspections, absolute compliance with regional navigation pathways, and strict protection of the marine environment.
Central to this enforcement drive is LASWA's unwavering safety stance on personal protective equipment. The agency confirmed that every fisherman and passenger on the inland waterways must wear a standard life jacket under a zero-tolerance policy. Furthermore, maritime operators were strongly cautioned against the practice of overloading wooden boats and were told to completely suspend fishing activities during severe weather disruptions, including heavy rainstorms, high winds, and periods of critically low visibility.
Speaking on behalf of LASWA General Manager Damilola Emmanuel, Samuel Olorunwa stressed that keeping the state's marine channels secure requires a collective effort from all user groups:
"Wear your life jacket, avoid overloading, respect weather warnings, maintain your boat, and keep the waterways clean. Safety on the waterways is everyone's responsibility."
In response to the tightened safety regulations, community leaders from the fishing sector explained that while they do not oppose safety measures, hyperinflation and a total lack of structured welfare programs are threatening the survival of their generational trade.
Sunday Aiyedogbon, the Chairman of the Athomengante Fishermen Association in Badagry, called out the lack of protective representation for grassroots workers within the state's agricultural and maritime ministries:
"The government knows what to do for us. If you don't have a fishermen representative in government, you may not have anyone to speak on your behalf. The net we used to buy for 400 is now 4,000. You expect me to go fishing and sell at a cheaper price; it is not done."
Beyond demanding financial intervention, Aiyedogbon urged federal and state security networks to formally recognize the critical role that local fishermen play in border security and intelligence gathering along the vast coastal stretches of Lagos.
"The fishermen are always on the waterways. They see things and can alert the security agencies. They see more and know more."
Elijah Samuel, the chairman of the planning committee for the 2026 anniversary of the Badagry Fishermen Association, echoed the call for direct material assistance, noting that fishermen want to comply but lack the tools. "We are educating our members on safety on the waters that will help improve our operations so we are not found wanting," Samuel noted while appealing to the state to distribute free life jackets, standard nets, and safer modern boats.
The Public Relations Officer of the Athomengante Fishermen Association, Amos Joseph, brought up another pressing issue, pointing to the reckless behavior of commercial ferry and speedboat pilots who use the same waterways.
"It is so disheartening that the boat drivers don't treat us as human. They drive recklessly, putting our lives in danger."
Joseph revealed that multiple artisanal fishermen have lost their lives or sustained permanent, debilitating injuries due to high-speed wakes and direct collisions caused by non-compliant commercial transport pilots.
As the regulatory clampdown intensifies, the Badagry fishing communities are pleading with the Lagos State Government to strike an intentional balance between rigid law enforcement and economic empowerment. They maintain that true growth in the blue economy can only be achieved when safety drives are backed by affordable gear and institutional protection for the citizens who feed the state.