National Assembly Passes New Inland Waterways Bill

The National Assembly has passed the National Inland Waterways Authority (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2026, aimed at reforming Nigeria's inland waterways law in accordance with the Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling. This legislation, which repeals and replaces the existing National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Act, follows a Supreme Court decision from May 2023 that limited the federal government's regulatory powers over inland waterways.

The court ruled that the federal government could only regulate waterways within its constitutional authority, invalidating certain provisions of the NIWA Act. The new bill defines the legal jurisdiction of the National Inland Waterways Authority, removes unconstitutional sections, and resolves conflicts between federal and state governments regarding inland waterways.

It also encourages private sector investment by providing a clearer legal framework and strengthens provisions for navigation safety and environmental protection. The Senate approved the bill, which will be sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent before becoming law.