The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been honoured as Maritime Agency of the Year 2025 at the prestigious New Telegraph Awards, marking a significant milestone in its reform journey.
The ceremony, held at the Oriental Hotel to celebrate the Awards’ 5th anniversary, brought together top government officials, industry leaders, and key stakeholders. NIWA clinched the top prize in the maritime category, underscoring its growing influence and transformative role in Nigeria’s inland waterways sector.
In recent years, NIWA has strengthened regulatory oversight, enhanced safety measures, and improved operational efficiency. These strides have positioned the Authority as a leading institution in the maritime industry.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Managing Director expressed delight at the recognition, describing it as a testament to the agency’s hard work and renewed commitment to excellence. He commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support of NIWA’s mandate.
The NIWA boss highlighted the agency’s proactive safety interventions, noting that recurring boat accidents have been drastically reduced. He pointed to the Minister’s nationwide tour, during which life jackets were distributed to states and waterways operators, as a key step in boosting compliance and safeguarding lives.
Previously, the Maritime Agency of the Year award was won by the Nigerian Ports Authority, making NIWA’s achievement a benchmark of resilience, institutional strength, and service delivery.
This recognition reaffirms NIWA’s reputation as a forward-looking agency committed to transforming Nigeria’s inland waterways into a safer, more efficient transport corridor.