About Us
History & Background
Contextual Stats
13,500km
of the Nigerian Inland Waterways
28 of 36
states accessible
Our Journey
Vision, Mission & Core Values
OUR VISION
To be the foremost inland waterways security and regulatory agency in Africa, ensuring safe, secure, and sustainable use of Nigeria’s vast inland water resources.
OUR MISSION
To enforce safety, security and environmental regulations on Nigeria’s inland waterways through proactive patrol, search and rescue operations, stakeholder engagement, and inter-agency collaboration.
OUR MOTTO
"Economy and Security Is Our Watchword"
Core Values
Integrity
Upholding the highest ethical standards in all operations.
Discipline
Maintaining order and professionalism at all times.
Patriotism
Dedicated service to Nigeria and its people.
Professionalism
Excellence in execution and service delivery.
Accountability
Transparent and responsible operations.
Service
Commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods.
Mandate & Legal Framework
Legal Authority
The Nigerian Inland Waterways Guard (NIWG) was established by presidential decree on 10th December 2025 and enacted in January 2026 as an armed para (military) agency under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy/Transport.
NIWG operates in close coordination with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), which maintains jurisdiction over waterway infrastructure, while NIWG focuses exclusively on security, safety enforcement, and regulatory compliance.
Inter-Agency Partners
Our Core Functions
Revenue generation...
Revenue generation within the Nigerian waterways.
Enforcement of life jacket use...
Enforcement of life jacket use and other safety equipment on all inland waterway vessels.
Search and rescue operations for distressed...
Search and rescue operations for distressed vessels and persons on inland waterways.
Registration, licensing and documentation of all...
Registration, licensing and documentation of all inland waterway vessels and operators.
Regular inspection of vessels to ensure...
Regular inspection of vessels to ensure seaworthiness and compliance with safety standards.
Investigation of maritime accidents, incidents and...
Investigation of maritime accidents, incidents and violations on inland waterways.
Patrol and surveillance operations to prevent...
Patrol and surveillance operations to prevent illegal activities and maintain security.
Provision of navigational aids and communication...
Provision of navigational aids and communication support for waterway users.
Monitoring and management of vessel traffic...
Monitoring and management of vessel traffic to prevent congestion and accidents.
Public safety education and awareness campaigns...
Public safety education and awareness campaigns for waterway communities.
Environmental protection through prevention of pollution...
Environmental protection through prevention of pollution and ecological degradation.
Collection and maintenance of comprehensive waterway...
Collection and maintenance of comprehensive waterway statistics and incident data.
