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Nigeria is not all that different. Unless you were born in a riverine area or had parents who had some access to the few pools around the whole country, there is a high likelihood that you cannot swim either. Although reliable data to substantiate the percentage of Nigerians that cannot swim is virtually nonexistent, I can surmise that most people do not.
Part of my observation of water safety in Nigeria is that we are not a swimming culture. As such, the safety measures of other societies, where swimming is practically routine and developed, are still largely alien to us. Without the regularity of swimming activities that prompts insistence on safety measures, people build or go to swimming pools without considering everything that can go wrong.
For families with swimming pools in their houses, ringing a fence around it is not even enough. Children have been known to scale those fences to get to the pool. Children are always curious and will go out of their way to seek thrills. You cannot warn them enough to desist. People who build swimming pools at home should also invest in a mesh covering to tightly cover the surface when not in use. If it is an indoor pool, the door leading to it should have an alarm.
Most importantly, children should always be supervised. Even when multiple people are gathered around the pool, never assume that everyone can see what is happening. When everyone is watching, nobody is really watching. Even when your children can swim, they should still be monitored because you just never know. Drowning has happened to even swimmers, so it is important not to rule anything out.
If your children’s school asks to take them for swimming lessons, ask questions about what protocols they have in place in case an accident happens. What will the ratio of teacher-students in the pool be like? Can the teacher perform CPR? Make them answer those questions convincingly or refuse to release your child into their care. Those questions will make it seem like your own is too much but do not be embarrassed to be that annoying parent when your child’s life is involved.
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