National Initiative for Waterway Environmental Reform

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), in collaboration with Parts Central Ltd, is set to unveil a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling pollution and indiscriminate waste disposal on Nigeria’s inland waterways. This program is designed to create jobs and unlock new opportunities within the country's growing blue economy.

The initiative, which targets the systematic removal and conversion of waste into economic value, will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Bic Garden, Lagos. The programme was conceived under the leadership of the immediate past Managing Director of NIWA, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, as a comprehensive environmental reform for the nation’s inland waterways ecosystem.

Economic Empowerment through Waste Recovery

According to the organisers, the project focuses on identifying major sources of pollution and addressing the indiscriminate disposal of waste into waterways. By establishing structured systems for waste removal and recovery, the initiative seeks to convert environmental hazards into tangible economic assets.

The project is also expected to provide significant employment opportunities for communities living along the waterways, effectively linking environmental protection with economic empowerment. Beyond addressing pollution, the initiative is expected to improve navigation by removing debris and obstructions, while supporting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and contributing to Nigeria’s fisheries economy.

Alignment with the National Blue Economy Agenda

This initiative comes amid a growing emphasis on the economic potential of Nigeria’s extensive inland waterways under the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola, has consistently advocated for the strategic utilisation of these waters beyond traditional transportation, positioning the sector as a driver of economic diversification.

The Lagos unveiling is expected to bring together government officials, maritime stakeholders, and private sector players. The gathering will examine the environmental and economic benefits of the initiative and mobilise support for its implementation nationwide, representing a commitment to innovation and sustainable development within the sector.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Implementation

The initiative builds on the reform drive established during the tenure of Oyebamiji at NIWA, who now serves as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Osun State. In a joint statement, NIWA Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Braimah, and Managing Director of Parts Central Limited, Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, noted that the Lagos event is intended to secure stakeholder support.

The engagement would enable stakeholders to appreciate the benefits of the programme while contributing their perspectives to the effort to restore the health and economic value of Nigeria’s inland waterways.

— Engr. Sarat Braimah and Henry Olaoluwa Onifade, Lagos Area Manager and Managing Director, NIWA and Parts Central Limited

The organisers stated that the initiative ultimately seeks to demonstrate how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities for sustainable enterprise, improved navigation, and broader development of the blue economy.