No Captain, No Future: Tinubu Must End NIWA’s MD Vacuum Now

By Roland Ekama

 

Nearly three months after Managing Director Bola Oyebamiji resigned to chase his Osun State governorship dream under the All Progressive Congress(APC), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is adrift without a captain.

President Bola Tinubu’s silence on naming a substantive chief executive officer has sparked outrage among boat operators, barge kings, and industry heavyweights, who warn that stalled decisions and policy paralysis are strangling Nigeria’s vital inland waterways lifeline.

“This vacuum is a ticking time bomb!” cry stakeholders, slamming the “aberration” of Board Chairman Barr. Mukhtari Shagari, CFR, moonlighting as acting MD.

While Shagari hustles—leading courtesy calls to Kogi State’s Deputy Governor Elder Joel Oyibo Salihu in Lokoja to boost navigation and economic goldmines, or firing up staff at NIWA HQ with vows of ironclad safety (“Every life lost is one too many. We’ll dredge rivers, rehab jetties, and make waterways a road-network killer!”)—it’s no substitute for real leadership.

Alhaji Shagari, said safety on waterways is key to professionalism and National Development. He disclosed this at his Inaugural visit to the Authority’s Headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi state.

Addressing staff of the Authority, Shagari said the safety of lives on Nigeria’s waterways is crucial for professionalism, efficiency, and National Development.

“We will strengthen enforcement of safety regulations, improve monitoring systems, and promote a culture of professionalism across all NIWA operations across the country.

“Every life lost on our waterways is one too many. Under this board, safety is not negotiable.

According to him, “we must ensure that Inland waterways become a reliable alternative to the overstretched road network thereby intensifying efforts to dredge critical River channels, rehabilitate jetties, and expand facilities to support transportation, logistics, and trade.”

The chairman stated that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda challenges every federal institution to raise its standards, strengthen transparency, and deliver tangible results that improve the lives of Nigerians.

“This agenda aligns perfectly with our mandate to transform Nigeria’s inland waterways into safe, efficient, and economically vibrant corridors of national development,” he said.

Even Acting MD Alh. Umar Yusuf Girei admits Shagari’s arrival is timely for progress in the agency but insiders whisper that the chairman’s dual role is bottlenecking progress.

Recent huddles with Permanent Secretary Hajiya Fatima Sugra Tabi’a Mahmood of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy exposed the mess while praises for Renewed Hope Agenda wins, but urgent pleas for safety drives, agency tie-ups, and human capital boosts ring hollow without a dedicated MD at the helm.

Enough excuses, Mr. President! Appoint a sharp technocrat now to enforce safety, unleash dredging magic, and turbocharge transparency.

Nigeria’s waterways can’t wait as delay means disaster for trade, logistics, and lives just as the inland waterways need innovation from technocrat who can take the agency to new heights.

Oyebamiji Bola resigned as the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on November 14, 2025.
He stepped down from his position to contest the 2026 Osun State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resignation was made in compliance with electoral laws, allowing him to participate in the party’s primary scheduled for December 2025.

Another Managing Director of NIWA who also resigned for political ambition was George Moghalu who contested for the gubernatorial election in Anambra State.