A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Stakeholder Perceptions, Institutional Frameworks, and Operational Realities in Nigeria’s Ferry Transport System.
Downloads
Abstract
Inland ferry transport in Nigeria has great potential to reduce congestion in cities, but it is seriously underused because of ongoing safety problems and operational inefficiencies. Even with regulations in place, gaps in enforcement, cooperation among stakeholders, and the adoption of technology hinder progress. This study looks at how stakeholder perceptions, institutional policies, and operational realities interact to identify barriers and find ways to create sustainable ferry transport in Nigeria. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative surveys gathered safety and efficiency perceptions from 5,000 passengers across five busy ferry routes and 25 operators from five selected companies. Qualitative interviews involved 10 regulators from Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Secondary analysis included accident reports from 2010 to 2024, and operational records were collected. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the Relative Importance Index (RII), and thematic coding. Results show that passengers see ferry safety as seriously lacking and service quality as inconsistent. Interestingly, 89% noticed technology use, like Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and e-tickets, while 90% supported AI safety alerts, showing a willingness to embrace innovation despite widespread distrust. Operators face ongoing operational and regulatory challenges: 52% used reactive maintenance, 60% depended on informal crew training, and 60% reported infrequent regulatory inspections. About 69% thought enforcement was unfair or inconsistent, and self-assessments of route safety were low, with only 17% rating routes as "very safe." Financial issues took precedence for operators, overshadowing safety investments, with an RII of 1.09. The results also showed that operational challenges are scattered among various stakeholders. The causes of accidents indicated that mechanical issues accounted for 24% of incidents, which stem from poor maintenance practices and outdated fleets.
Keywords
Ferry safety Operational efficiency Stakeholder perceptions Regulatory fragmentation Mixed methods Lagos waterways Transport policyReferences (21)
- [1] Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency. (2023). Memoradum of understanding on port state control for west and central African region. https://abujamou.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Annual-Report-2023.pdf
- [2] Mohammed, A. I., Stephens, M. S., Akpudo, C. U., & Enyinda, C. A. (2023). Assessment of ferry service and ridership in metropolitan of Lagos State, Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chukwuemeka_Enyinda/publication/390105313_Research_Paper_Assessment_of_ferry_service_and_ridership_in_Metropolitan_of_Lagos_State_Nigeria/links/67dfe4953ad6d174c4b82729/Research-Paper-Assessment-of-ferry-service-and-ridership-in-Metropolitan-of-Lagos-State-Nigeria.pdf
- [3] Idiapho, C. A., & Awwal, S. I. (2020). Investigative analysis of marine tugboat accident in Nigeria. A Case Study of Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers State. Journal of engineering research and reports, 11(3), 30–45. https://doi.org/10.9734/JERR/2020/v11i317062%0D
- [4] Ola Aiyegbajeje, F., & Deinne, C. E. (2021). Assessment of commuters’ perception of water transportation safety and patronage in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Ghana journal of geography, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.4314/gjg.v13i3.7
- [5] Xiao, G., Wang, Y., Wu, R., Li, J., & Cai, Z. (2024). Sustainable maritime transport: A review of intelligent shipping technology and green port construction applications. Journal of marine science and engineering, 12(10), 1728. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12101728
- [6] Jensen, O., & Wu, H. (2018). Urban water security indicators: Development and pilot. Environmental science & policy, 83, 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2018.02.003
- [7] Calderón-Rivera, N., Bartusevičienė, I., & Ballini, F. (2024). Sustainable development of inland waterways transport: a review. Journal of shipping and trade, 9(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41072-023-00162-9
- [8] de Barros, B. R. C., de Carvalho, E. B., & Junior, A. C. P. B. (2022). Inland waterway transport and the 2030 agenda: Taxonomy of sustainability issues. Cleaner engineering and technology, 8, 100462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2022.100462
- [9] Chijioke, A. (2022). Challenges and prospects of inland waterways in southeast Nigeria: The case of oma-mbala river, Anambra State. IMSUCDS International Journal of Development, 2, 50-68 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363383490_CHALLENGES_AND_PROSPECTS_OF_INLAND_WATERWAYS_IN_SOUTHEAST_NIGERIA_THE_CASE_OF_OMA-MBALA_RIVER_ANAMBRA_STATE
- [10] Akpudo, C. U. (2021). Trend analysis of boat accidents and causes in the waterways of Nigeria. International journal of scientific research in multidisciplinary studies vol, 7(11), 24-29. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Akpudo-Chijioke/publication/363383560_Trend_Analysis_of_Boat_Accidents_and_Causes_in_the_Waterways_of_Nigeria/links/631a59ae70cc936cd3f205ca/Trend-Analysis-of-Boat-Accidents-and-Causes-in-the-Waterways-of-Nigeria.pdf
- [11] Tinali, G. Z. P., & Temba, G. M. (2015). Ferry passengers’ satisfaction: An empirical assessment of influence of ferry route type. ORSEA journal, 5(2), 118–151. file:///C:/Users/pajohesh3/Desktop/administrator,+Journal+manager,+JOURNAL+VOL+5+ISSUE+2+DECEMBER+2015_5.pdf
- [12] Imorataria, D. A., Daniel, B. O., & ThankGod, M. O. (2023). An assessment of inland waterways operations and challenges along coastal communities in the niger delta. Asian journal of multidisciplinary research and review, 4(5), 40–57. https://ajmrr.org/journal/article/view/158
- [13] Olisa, B. S., Stephens, M. S., & Olisa, C. L. (2024). Ferry operators’ perception on influencing factors of ferry services in Lagos, Nigeria. International journal of environmental engineering and development, 2, 203–211. https://www.wseas.com/journals/ijeed/2024/a36ijeed-016(2024).pdf
- [14] Diao, M. (2019). Towards sustainable urban transport in Singapore: Policy instruments and mobility trends. Transport policy, 81, 320–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2018.05.005
- [15] Macário, R., Ribeiro, J., & Costa, J. D. (2015). Understanding pitfalls in the application of PPPs in transport infrastructure in Portugal. Transport policy, 41, 90–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2015.03.013
- [16] Udechukwu, A., & Mobolaji, S. (2020). Operational characteristics and supply of inland waterway transportation service in the coastal area of anambra state, Nigeria. African journal of science policy and innovation management, 1(2), 38–49. https://ajspim.oauife.edu.ng/index.php/ajspim/article/view/74/37
- [17] Olayinka Yusuf, S., Oluyemisi Omobola, A., Omodara Alabi, W., & Ositimehin, T. (2025). Occupational safety management and its effect on water transportation sector: Evidence from Lagos state water Ways Authority. International journal of research and scientific innovation, XII(V), 390–397. https://doi.org/1010.51244/ijrsi.2025.120500032
- [18] Tsou, M. C. (2025). A machine learning-based model for predicting high deficiency risk ships in port state control: A case study of the port of singapore. Journal of marine science and engineering, 13(8), 1485. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081485
- [19] Ateme, M. E. (2021). Improving the safety of navigation through vessel traffic services (VTS) at lagos port complex, Nigeria [Thesis]. https://upcommons.upc.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/83bffa15-42e6-4600-9b6a-345089bdbf2a/content
- [20] Okon, I. E., Jatau, S. U., & Attah, A. A. (2023). Assessment of safety measures and operational challenges of inland waterway transport along oron-calabar route, Nigeria. Aceh international journal of science & technology, 12(2), 179-187. http://dx.doi.org/10.13170/aijst.12.2.27542
- [21] Della, R. H., Lirn, T. C., & Shang, K. C. (2020). The study of safety behavior in ferry transport. Safety science, 131, 104912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2020.104912
Article Metrics
- Published 2025-12-06
- Issue Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025): Management Analytics and Social Insights
- Section Articles
- Document Type Research Article
- Views 1140
- Downloads 167
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Management Analytics and Social Insights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant Management Analytics and Social Insights (MASI) the right of first publication. Articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, including for commercial purposes, provided that appropriate credit is given to the author(s) and the source, a link to the license is provided, and any changes are indicated. Authors may deposit and share the published version of their article in institutional, subject, or other repositories and on personal or institutional websites.