A senior Nigerian government official has called for a nationwide ban on the use of wooden boats for commercial transportation following recurring maritime disasters.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is urging state governments to replace wooden vessels with modern fibreglass and aluminium boats.

The call comes after a series of deadly boat accidents across Nigeria that have claimed hundreds of lives on inland waterways.

According to the minister, outdated boats, poor maintenance practices, and widespread disregard for safety regulations are major factors driving the rising number of accidents.